Piggable shut-off device

Abstract

Piggable shut-off device (10) with a hand lever (20) and a housing (12) comprising a first housing half (14) and a second housing half (16), wherein each housing half (14, 16) has a continuous flow channel (A1, A2) for guiding a pig through it and flange connection areas (18) for connecting to inlet and outlet pipelines, and wherein the housing halves (14, 16) are arranged in an assembled state such that the flow channels (A1, A2) merge into one another in alignment and form a continuous flow path for the pig, and wherein the housing halves (14, 16) together form a fluid-tight sealed interior (22) in which a floating shut-off disc (24) is arranged, which can be adjusted via the hand lever (20) between an open position in which the flow path is released and a closed position,and wherein the shut-off disc (24) is arranged completely within the interior (22) in both positions and does not protrude into the flow path when it is open.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a piggable shut-off device, in particular a piggable shut-off valve, for use in pipeline systems for conveying fluids.

[0002] Piggable pipelines are used particularly in the chemical, petrochemical, pharmaceutical, and food processing industries to remove product residues from pipelines and to convey different media sequentially through the same pipeline. For this purpose, so-called pigs are guided through the pipeline, displacing the medium from the pipe.

[0003] For pipeline valves used in such systems, the requirement is that they ensure a reliable shut-off function while simultaneously allowing the passage of a pig to be as unimpeded as possible. In particular, dead spaces, edges, or protrusions in the flow path must be avoided, as these can damage the pig or impair the conveying process.

[0004] Various line valves are known in the prior art in which a shut-off device is arranged within a housing. An example of this is known from EP 3 263 957 A1. However, in known solutions, a disadvantage can be that, due to the design, areas are created where product residues can accumulate.

[0005] Another example from the prior art is known from German patent application DE 296 03 818 U1. This relates to a shut-off connection between intersecting, piggable pipelines, in which a piston-shaped shut-off device is arranged within a connecting pipe between the pipelines and is movable between different positions. In a first position, the shut-off device separates the pipelines from each other, while in another position, a connection between the pipelines can be established. The piston is designed such that, in the area of ​​the pipelines, it has a cross-section that corresponds essentially to the pipe diameter in order to allow pig passage. A disadvantage of such a solution, however, is that the design, with a separate connecting pipe and a piston movable within it, is comparatively complex.Furthermore, the guidance and actuation of the piston can lead to increased design complexity. Additionally, the arrangement of the connecting line and the shut-off device can create further areas where product residue can accumulate.

[0006] Another device is known from German patent application DE 697 29 053 T2. This relates to a valve for selectively connecting two lines, particularly in a hydraulic system, in which a movable closing element is arranged within a valve body. The closing element has a through opening whose cross-section approximately corresponds to that of the lines to be connected, so that in an open position, flow between the lines is permitted. In another position, the closing element can separate the lines from each other or selectively connect them, the closing element being movable along an axis within the valve body. A disadvantage of such a design can be that the closing element is moved into the flow path to establish the connection, and this can result in design-related deflections or transition zones.This can lead to impairments of unimpeded passage, particularly in applications involving pigs, or to areas where product residues can accumulate.

[0007] The invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a piggable barrier device that enables improved, in particular unobstructed, pig passage.

[0008] This problem is solved by a shut-off device having the features of claim 1. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0009] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments and from the accompanying drawings.

[0010] The present invention relates to a piggable shut-off device with the features of claim 1. The shut-off device comprises a housing with two housing halves, each having a flow channel for receiving a pig and, when assembled, forming a continuous flow path for connected pipes. The housing halves define an interior space in which a shut-off disc is arranged, which can be adjusted between an open and a closed position by means of a hand lever or a pneumatic rotary actuator. In the open position, the flow path is open for the pig, while in the closed position, the flow path is closed by the shut-off disc. The shut-off disc is arranged in the interior space such that it does not impede the flow path in the open position, thereby enabling improved, and in particular, unobstructed pig passage.In addition, the shut-off disc seals the flow path when closed. Depending on the design, the hand lever or the pneumatic rotary actuator acts on the shut-off disc.

[0011] In a preferred embodiment according to claim 2, the shut-off disc, in the closed position, abuts a sealing surface arranged in at least one of the housing halves. Sealing surfaces can also be provided in both housing halves, in which case, depending on the flow direction, the shut-off disc seals with the downstream sealing surface. This ensures a reliable seal of the flow path, which is particularly important when closing a pipeline previously opened for pig passage.

[0012] According to a further embodiment of claim 3, the shut-off disc is mounted with radial and / or axial play in the interior. Radial and axial here refer to the shut-off disc as a flat cylindrical body. Such a floating mounting, in the technical sense, enables the shut-off disc to automatically adapt to the sealing surfaces, thereby achieving a high degree of sealing even with low preload on the seals. At the same time, this allows for smooth operation of the shut-off disc.

[0013] In an embodiment according to claim 4, each housing half has a side part designed as an insert for the housing half, which forms the flow channel and has a slot opening for receiving the shut-off disc. The side parts can be designed to receive sealing elements. By using separate side parts, the flow geometry can be flexibly adapted; in particular, different inner diameters within a nominal size can be achieved by exchanging the side parts.

[0014] According to claim 5, each side panel is detachably arranged in its respective housing half. This allows for easy assembly and a maintenance- and repair-friendly design, as individual components can be replaced as needed without having to replace the entire valve.

[0015] In a further development according to claim 6, each side part has a seal circumferentially delimiting the slot opening, which is in sealing contact with the shut-off disc in the closed position. This allows a circumferential seal to be achieved, which helps to prevent leaks and to ensure a reliable separation of the product and the environment.

[0016] According to claim 7, the interior has a guide surface that at least partially surrounds the shut-off disc and is designed to guide the shut-off disc laterally during its movement between the open and closed positions. This ensures a defined movement of the shut-off disc, which contributes to functional reliability, particularly in compact designs. The guide surface in the interior can also be formed by a sealing element within the interior.

[0017] In a further embodiment according to claim 8, the interior has a collection area for product residue deposits that is separate from the flow path. Such an area can help to collect product residues in a targeted manner. This is particularly advantageous after a new installation to ensure reliable closure in the event of any remaining dirt.

[0018] According to claim 9, the shut-off disc has two opposing projections which, in the closed position, bear against an inner wall of the interior and center the shut-off disc. This allows for reproducible positioning of the shut-off disc, which supports the sealing effect in the closed position. The projections also help to position the shut-off disc in a defined position in the open position, from which adjustment is easily possible.

[0019] In one embodiment according to claim 10, the hand lever is connected to the shut-off disc via a driver. Actuation can be achieved by first initiating a rotary movement of the shut-off disc, which may loosen any product adhesions, before a further adjustment movement occurs. This reduces the actuating force required, allowing the use of short hand levers or small pneumatic actuators. This facilitates an overall compact design that is easily integrated even into complex systems.

[0020] According to claim 11, the flange connection areas have multiple flange bores, which can be designed as through bores or as blind bores. This allows adaptation to different connection conditions and contributes to economical assembly, especially with larger nominal diameters and when using materials such as stainless steel.

[0021] The embodiments described above can, individually or in combination, contribute to providing a gate valve which, compared to known piggable fittings such as ball valves or gate valve-type solutions with linearly moving plates, has a more compact design, lower weight, high safety and simplified operation.

[0022] At the same time, a complete pig passage can be achieved with a high degree of tightness. Furthermore, the modular design with side panels allows for flexible adaptation to different internal diameters, while the overall construction is easy to maintain and economical to manufacture.

[0023] Further details and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a piggable gate valve in a closed position in a sectional view; Fig. 2 a perspective view of the gate valve according to Fig. 1; Fig. 3 a detailed representation of a housing half with locking disc in the closed position as well as associated sectional and detail views; Fig. 4a an intermediate state during an actuation of the line valve from the closed position towards an open position; Fig. 4b a representation of the shut-off disc in different positions within an interior of the shut-off valve; Fig. 5a a representation of the gate valve in a fully open position; Fig. 5b a sectional view of the gate valve according to Fig. 5a with a cleared flow path.

[0024] Fig. Figure 1 shows a piggable gate valve 10 with a hand lever 20. The gate valve 10 has a housing 12, which consists of a first housing half 14 (see section AA) and a second housing half 16. The hand lever 20 is arranged on the second housing half 16.

[0025] Each of the housing halves 14, 16 has a continuous flow channel A1 or A2. In a joined state, the housing halves 14, 16 form a fluid-tight sealed common interior space 22 in which a movable shut-off disc 24 is arranged.

[0026] In Fig. Figure 1 shows the hand lever 20 in a closed position, in which the shut-off disc 24 interrupts the flow channels A1 and A2. In this position, fluid exchange between the flow channels A1 and A2 is not possible. The housing half 16 with the hand lever 20 has several through-holes 23, which are designed, for example, for a DIN flange. Additionally, blind threaded holes 26 are provided. A flange can be sealed to the housing half 16 via the holes 23 and 26.

[0027] The housing half 16 further comprises a side part 30, which is inserted into an opening of the housing half 16 and forms the flow channel A2. By using the side part 30, the inner diameter of the flow channel A2 can be specifically selected, so that different inner diameters within a nominal size and with a flange connection are possible.

[0028] The housing half 14 accordingly has a side part 31 which forms the flow channel A1. The flow channels A1 and A2 are preferably designed such that they have a continuous piggable passage with substantially the same inner diameter.

[0029] As can be seen in the sectional view AA, a slot opening 32 is formed between the side parts 30 and 31, in which the shut-off disc 24 is arranged. The detailed view D1 shows the slot opening 32 in detail. In the closed position, the shut-off disc 24 is inserted into the slot opening 32 and rests against sealing elements, in particular the circumferential seals 25, 27, thus achieving a seal. Below the shut-off disc 24, a receiving area is formed in the closed position, which serves as a dirt chamber 50. This dirt chamber 50 can collect product residues or deposits and contributes to ensuring that the shut-off disc 24 can be closed securely and, in particular, with a tight seal.

[0030] In the sectional view AA, centering elements 52, 54 are also shown, which are arranged on the opposing surfaces of the housing halves 14, 16. The centering elements 52, 54 engage in corresponding recesses in the respective opposite housing half and thus enable a precise alignment of the housing halves 14, 16 with respect to each other, so that the flow channels A1 and A2 and the through-bores 23 are aligned.

[0031] Detail D2 of sectional view AA shows a detent mechanism with a detent pin on the hand lever 20, which is mounted on a drive shaft 57 that has a receptacle 59 for a seal sealing the interior. The detent pin 56 is spring-loaded and can engage in a groove-shaped recess 65 in the housing half 16 to secure the closed position of the hand lever 20 (see Figure 2). Similarly, another recess can be provided into which the detent pin 56 engages in the open position of the hand lever 20 to secure this position as well. To actuate the hand lever 20, the detent pin 56 must be pulled out of its detent position against a spring force. A pneumatic actuator, for example, can also act on the drive shaft 57 and may also be equipped with detent positions to secure its end positions.

[0032] The shut-off disc 24 is preferably mounted with a certain amount of play in the interior 22, allowing for automatic adjustment to the sealing surfaces. The pressure of the fluid in the line assists the sealing disc 24 in bearing against the sealing surfaces. Furthermore, the hand lever 20 is connected to the shut-off disc 24 via a driver, enabling the hand lever 20 to actuate the shut-off disc 24. The movement of the shut-off disc 24 can be such that a rotational movement is initiated before the shut-off disc 24 is fully advanced into the slot opening 32.

[0033] Fig. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of the gate valve 10 with the two housing halves 14 and 16. It can be seen that the blind threaded holes 26 are fitted with stud bolts 58, which are intended in particular for the upper flange bores. Furthermore, it is evident that several, in particular eight, housing bolts 60 are provided, which connect the housing halves 14 and 16 to each other and clamp them in the assembled state.

[0034] Fig. Figure 3 shows the housing half 16 with the attached hand lever 20 in the closed position. In the closed position, the shut-off disc 24 is positioned to close the flow channels A1 and A2. The shut-off disc 24 is inserted into a slot opening and interrupts the flow path. Section AA shows in detail D1 the interaction of the shut-off disc 24 with the side part 30 and the housing 16. In the closed position, the shut-off disc 24 rests against a sealing element 25 of the side part 30 and is further pressed into sealing contact with the sealing element 25 by the operating pressure.

[0035] The sealing disc 24 is movably mounted with a certain amount of play in the interior 22, resulting in a floating mounting. This allows the sealing disc 24 to automatically adapt to the sealing surfaces, thus improving the sealing effect.

[0036] Below the shut-off disc 24, a dirt chamber 50 is formed, which serves to collect residues of the transported medium so that they do not block the shut-off disc. Section BB shows this dirt chamber 50 in detail and illustrates that it extends below the shut-off disc 24.

[0037] Detail D1 also shows a centering element, in particular a centering pin 52, by which the housing halves 14 and 16 can be positioned in alignment with each other.

[0038] Detail D2 shows a locking mechanism with a driver 57 and a recess 59 for a sealing ring that seals the housing interior. The sealing ring is arranged on the driver 57 in the housing half 16 and serves to seal the closed position. Section BB further shows the housing part 16 in a view from the side of the shut-off disc 24. An interior 22 is formed in the housing part 16, which can be sealed against the other housing half by a circumferential seal 62. In the assembled state, the housing halves 14 and 16 are fluid-tightly connected to each other via this seal 62.

[0039] The hand lever 20 actuates an actuating element 64, which is connected to the shut-off disc 24 via a driver 66 in a rotationally fixed manner. If the hand lever 20 is rotated, in particular by approximately 180°, the shut-off disc 24 is moved from the closed position to an open position.

[0040] To position the shut-off disc 24 in the interior, particularly in the closed position, the shut-off disc 24 has laterally arranged centering projections 68. These interact with inner surfaces of the housing and center the shut-off disc 24 with respect to the flow channels A1 and A2, so that a defined contact with the sealing element 25 is established.

[0041] Fig. Figure 4a shows the shut-off disc 24 in an intermediate state during the actuation of the shut-off valve 10, in which the hand lever 20 has been partially pivoted from the closed position towards the open position. In this state, it can be seen that the actuator 66 changes its position and thereby slightly lifts the shut-off disc 24 from its closed position.

[0042] The shut-off disc 24 moves upwards along an inner wall 63 of the interior 22 or along the seal 62 in the interior 22. This movement leads the shut-off disc 24 out of the slot opening, so that the flow channel A2 and thus also the aligned flow channel A1 are partially opened.

[0043] Fig. Figure 4b illustrates the arrangement of the shut-off disc 24 within the interior 22. The shut-off disc 24 is located completely within the interior 22 in both the closed position and in intermediate and open positions. Therefore, no additional sealing of the shut-off disc against the environment outside the housing is required.

[0044] The shut-off disc 24 is floatingly mounted in the interior 60, so that it can easily release itself from a stuck or jammed position when the hand lever 20 is actuated. This contributes to smooth operation of the line valve 10.

[0045] Fig. Figure 5a shows the hand lever 20 in its fully open position. As in Fig. As can be seen in 5b, the shut-off disc 24 is completely lifted out of the flow channels A1 and A2, so that these open a continuous flow path for a newt.

[0046] In the open position, the shut-off disc 24 is positioned relative to the inner wall 63 or to the seal 62 of the interior 22 by laterally arranged centering projections 68, so that a defined position of the shut-off disc 24 is ensured even in the open position. Reference symbol list 10 gate valves 12 cases 14 first half of the case 16 second case half 20 hand levers 22 Interior 23 through holes (flange holes) 26 blind boreholes 24 locking disc 25 Seal (first sealing element) 27 Seal (second sealing element) 30 Side panel (of the housing half 16) 31 Side panel (of the housing half 14) 32 slot opening 50 Dirty room / Collection area for deposits 52 Centering element / centering pin 54 Centering element 56 Detent bolts / detent projections 57 Drive shaft 58 Stud bolt 59 Recess for seal 61 housing screws 62 Seal between the housing halves 63 Interior wall of the interior 64 Actuator 65 groove-shaped recess 66 drivers 68 Centering projection (on the shut-off disc) A1 Flow channel (first housing half) A2 Flow channel (second housing half) AA Sectional View BB Sectional View D1 Detailed View D2 Detailed View QUOTES INCLUDED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents cited by the applicant was automatically generated and is included solely for the reader's convenience. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA accepts no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] EP 3 263 957 A1

[0004] DE 296 03 818 U1

[0005] DE 697 29 053 T2

[0006]

Claims

Piggable shut-off device (10) with a hand lever (20) and a housing (12) comprising a first housing half (14) and a second housing half (16), wherein each housing half (14, 16) has a continuous flow channel (A1, A2) for guiding a pig through it and flange connection areas (18) for connecting to inlet and outlet pipelines, and wherein the housing halves (14, 16) are arranged in an assembled state such that the flow channels (A1, A2) merge into one another in alignment and form a continuous flow path for the pig, and wherein the housing halves (14, 16) together form a fluid-tight sealed interior (22) in which a floating shut-off disc (24) is arranged, which can be adjusted via the hand lever (20) between an open position in which the flow path is released and a closed position,and wherein the shut-off disc (24) is arranged completely within the interior (22) in both positions and does not protrude into the flow path when it is open. Piggable shut-off device according to claim 1, characterized in that the shut-off disc (24) in the closed position bears against a sealing surface arranged in one of the housing halves (14, 16). Piggable shut-off device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shut-off disc (24) is mounted with radial and / or axial play in the interior (22). Piggable shut-off device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that each housing half (14, 16) has a side part (30, 31) designed as an insert part, wherein the side part (30, 31) forms the flow channel (A1, A2) and has a slot opening (32) for receiving the shut-off disc (24) in the closed position. Piggable shut-off device according to claim 4, characterized in that each side part (30) is detachably arranged in the respective housing half (14, 16). Piggable shut-off device according to one of claims 4 or 5, characterized in that each side part (30) has a seal (34) circumferentially limiting the slot opening (32), which is in sealing contact with the shut-off disc (24) in the closed position. Piggable shut-off device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the interior (22) has a guide surface (36) surrounding the shut-off disc (24) at least partially, which is designed to guide the shut-off disc (24) laterally during its movement between the open position and the closed position. Piggable shut-off device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the interior (22) has a receiving area (50) for deposits separated from the flow path, which is arranged between the shut-off disc (24) and a wall of the interior (22) in the closed position of the shut-off disc (24). Piggable shut-off device according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the shut-off disc (24) has two opposing projections (68) which, in the closed position, bear against an inner wall (36) of the interior (22) and center the shut-off disc (24). Piggable shut-off device according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the hand lever (20) is connected to the shut-off disc (24) via a driver (42) in a rotationally fixed manner. Piggable shut-off device according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the flange connection areas (18) have several flange bores which are designed as through bores (23) or as blind threaded bores (26).

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