PIPE WITH FLANGE

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a pipe according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] In many technical fields it is necessary to rigidly connect two pipe elements or shaft elements to one another to form a pipe or shaft. Flanges can be used as connecting elements for this purpose. A flange can be viewed as a collar-shaped section of one end of a pipe element or shaft element, which is bent by approximately 90° relative to the direction of extension of the pipe element or shaft element and can be arranged flat on a connecting partner. In other words, a flange can be understood as an annular widening of one end of a pipe element or shaft element, which serves to connect the pipe element or shaft element to a connecting partner. The connecting partner can also be a pipe element or shaft element, but also an assembly, a machine part, a housing and the like. Screws and, if necessary, nuts are usually used for the connection.A pipe element with a flange or with a flange element can form a pipe.

[0003] A flange, for example, can be used to transmit comparatively large forces or torques in a shaft. In pipes, a media-tight connection can be created, particularly when a seal is used between the flange of the pipe element or pipe section and the connecting partner, allowing a medium, such as a fluid, to be conveyed through the pipe as a pipeline. This allows the two pipe elements or pipe sections to be connected tightly but non-destructively to form a single pipe or pipeline.

[0004] In order to measure the properties of a medium being conveyed within a pipe or pipeline, it may be necessary to position a sensor element inside the pipe so that the sensor element can be in direct contact with the medium being conveyed. This is usually done by penetrating the wall of a pipe element, e.g., by drilling, to create a through-hole through which the sensor element can be inserted into the interior of the pipe element. The through-hole must then be sealed to prevent the medium being conveyed from escaping from the pipe at this point.

[0005] The disadvantage here is that creating the through-hole typically requires a separate process, which can involve considerable effort and result in increased manufacturing costs. In particular, creating a through-hole in a finished pipe element can represent a considerable expense.

[0006] A further disadvantage is that additional sensor technology, which serves to operate the sensor element and usually has to be connected to the sensor element by cable, must be arranged outside the through-hole on the outside of the pipe element, while the sensor element is located inside the pipe element. This can require the use of several electronic and / or mechanical sensor components, which are usually comparatively small and potentially sensitive to moisture, contamination, and the like, and can therefore be mounted on the outside of the pipe element in a protected manner.

[0007] Another disadvantage, however, is that it can be quite difficult to re-seal the pipe element in the area of ​​the through-hole to the same level of media-tightness as before the through-hole was created. This can be very costly if the medium to be pumped is subject to high pressures and / or if the media are hot and / or aggressive. Despite this effort, however, there may always be uncertainty regarding the tightness of the pipe element in the area of ​​the sensor element's through-hole, so that inserting a sensor element into a pipe section through a through-hole as described above always represents a potential leak point.

[0008] WO 2015 / 161930 A1 describes a measuring device for a multi-part heatable media line. The measuring device comprises at least one sensor element. The measuring device is accommodated in a receiving opening of the line connection device, designed as a coupling section. The measuring device comprises at least one housing designed as a plug-in connector and at least partially accommodating the at least one sensor element.

[0009] WO 2018 / 232471 A1 describes a venturi tube, comprising: an elongated hollow body with a venturi arranged inside the body to modify the flow of a fluid through the body, a first stop arranged at a first open end of the body, a first flange arranged at or towards the first open end of the body adjacent to the first stop, wherein the first stop serves to facilitate the positioning of the first flange with respect to the body, the first flange is movable with respect to the body to adjust the orientation of the first flange with respect to the body to assist in the installation and removal of the venturi tube into and from an installation of conduits, wherein the flange is detachably connected to a conduit to insert or release the venturi from the venturi tube.

[0010] DE 101 17 731 C1 describes a fastening element for securing add-on components that sense operating parameters to their mounting locations. The add-on component partially penetrates a wall of a component. The fastening element is held on the add-on component, partially enclosing it. This refers to the use of a fastening element for mounting a temperature sensor on a pipe section.

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a pipe of the type described above so that a sensor element can be inserted into the interior of the pipe more easily, quickly, cost-effectively, and / or with greater media tightness than previously known. At the very least, an alternative to such known pipes is to be created.

[0012] The object is achieved according to the invention by a pipe having the features according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments are described in the subclaims.

[0013] The invention thus relates to a pipe with a pipe element for guiding a medium in a flow direction, with a flange element for connecting the pipe element to a connection partner, wherein the pipe element has a pipe body with a media passage opening for guiding the medium in the flow direction, wherein the flange element has a flange body with a media passage opening for guiding the medium in the flow direction, wherein the flange element is arranged at one end of the pipe element in such a way that the media passage openings at least substantially overlap, and with a sensor element which is arranged in the flange body in such a way that the sensor element can be in contact with the medium at least in sections.

[0014] In other words, according to the invention, a sensor element is not assigned to a pipe element or pipe section, as previously known, but instead to a flange element, which is connected to the pipe element to form a pipe or pipe section. In this way, the sensor element can be arranged on or in the flange during production, which can significantly simplify, accelerate, and / or reduce the cost of assembly. The flange element can then be connected to the pipe element to form a pipe, as before.

[0015] At the same time, in this way the sensor element can be arranged in the media passage opening of the flange and thus come into contact with the medium during operation of the pipe in order to be able to record properties of the medium such as temperature, flow velocity and the like. For this purpose the sensor element can be arranged as a self-sufficient element, e.g. including an electrical energy storage device and / or an energy generation element, e.g. by means of energy harvesting, e.g. from the flow, the temperature, a temperature difference and the like of the medium or the environment, as well as including a transmitting element, a receiving element or a transmitting / receiving element in the media passage opening of the flange in order to be able to carry out the sensor recording there, without the need for electrical or other cable connections for transmitting electrical energy and / or data with the environment of the flange.Instead, the sensor element can be powered by stored and / or self-generated electrical energy. The operation of the sensor element can be partially or completely automatic and / or controlled externally via wireless communication. The sensor element can transmit recorded data wirelessly to the outside. This eliminates the need for sensor through-holes in the flange for routing cables to transmit electrical energy and / or data or instructions in one direction and / or the other, meaning that no through-hole needs to be sealed and could represent a potential leak point. This can significantly improve or ensure tightness.

[0016] Nevertheless, a sensor passage opening can also be provided in the flange, as will be described in more detail below, since this also offers advantages and can partially or completely achieve the previously mentioned properties and advantages.

[0017] According to one aspect of the invention, the sensor element is arranged in the flange body such that the sensor element extends at least partially into the through-opening of the flange element. This can potentially improve the sensory detection of properties of the medium during operation, since the contact area between the sensor element and the medium can be increased. For certain properties, such as the flow velocity, it can also be advantageous or even necessary to allow the medium to flow around the sensor element at least partially. This can be achieved or promoted by the sensor element protruding into the media through-opening, through which the medium flows in the direction of flow during operation.

[0018] According to the invention, the flange element has a sensor through-opening which connects the media through-opening of the flange element with the surroundings of the flange element, wherein the sensor element is arranged at least partially in the sensor through-opening. As already mentioned above as a variant, according to this aspect of the invention, a sensor through-opening is provided through the material of the flange, which connects the media through-opening of the flange with the surroundings of the flange. During production, the sensor element can be inserted into this sensor through-opening such that the sensor element can, as described above, sense properties of the medium during operation. The electrical energy required for this can in this case be supplied through the sensor through-opening, in particular by cable.Likewise, instructions can be transmitted through the sensor through-hole, particularly via a corresponding data cable, to the sensor element, and recorded data representing measured values ​​can be transmitted from the sensor element to the outside of the flange. This can facilitate the use of wireless or cable-free power and / or data transmission, as the flange material does not need to be penetrated. It can also enable wired or cable-guided power and / or data transmission, which, depending on the application, can be more cost-effective, robust, and / or durable.

[0019] The sensor element can be fastened in the sensor through-opening by means of adhesive bonding or screwing. This can thereby simultaneously provide partial to complete sealing by the adhesive or the thread. The sensor element can also be inserted radially from the outside into the sensor through-opening and secured from the outside against slipping out, e.g. by at least one additional securing element such as a retaining ring or the like or by at least one further element of a sensor of the sensor element, which in turn can be held in place. In this case, a certain degree of tightness can be achieved by appropriately narrow dimensioning from sensor through-opening to sensor element. In any case, the additional use of a sealing element can be advantageous; this sealing element can be arranged between the sensor element and the sensor through-opening and can act in a media-tight manner.

[0020] According to a further aspect of the invention, the sensor through-opening extends at least substantially perpendicular to the flow direction of the medium. This can simplify the production of the sensor through-opening, e.g., by drilling. This can also facilitate the arrangement of a sensor element oriented perpendicular to the flow direction of the medium. Furthermore, the space required for the sensor through-opening in the material of the flange body in the flow direction of the medium can be kept as small as possible, so that the flange element can be kept as flat as possible in the flow direction of the medium. This can enable the use of the sensor element as described without having to significantly change the design of previously used flange elements.

[0021] According to a further aspect of the invention, the sensor through-opening is formed as a bore in the flange body. This can simplify the manufacture of the flange element, as previously described.

[0022] According to the invention, the flange element has a pulsation damping chamber, which is designed as a recess within the flange body, open toward the media passage opening. In this way, the flange element can additionally provide the possibility of pulsation damping of the medium, so that the damping of pulsations in the medium can be achieved without further measures. In particular, this function can also be performed by the flange element, eliminating the need for additional pulsation damping elements, which could entail additional effort and, in particular, increase the risk of additional potential leaks.

[0023] According to a further aspect of the invention, the pulsation damping chamber comprises a Helmholtz orifice or a damping membrane. The corresponding properties and advantages can thus be utilized in the flange element or the pipe.

[0024] According to the invention, the pulsation damping chamber is arranged directly opposite the sensor through-hole. In this way, the pulsation damping chamber can be introduced into the material of the flange body from the radially inside through the radially opposite sensor through-hole, so that this does not have to be done on the side of the pulsation damping chamber, for example, from the radial outside. In this case, the pulsation damping chamber would have to be closed again from the radial outside, which could involve additional effort, which can be avoided by introducing it from the radial inside to the outside. This could also lead to another potential leak point.

[0025] According to a further aspect of the invention, the pulsation damping chamber is formed as a bore in the flange body through the sensor through-opening. This allows the previously described aspect of the invention to be implemented particularly easily, as the bore only needs to be made sufficiently wide to form both the sensor through-opening and the pulsation damping chamber in a single step.

[0026] According to a further aspect of the invention, the flange element has a sensor receptacle which at least substantially accommodates a sensor housing. In other words, a sensor housing which, together with the sensor element and possibly other elements such as evaluation electronics, data transmission, an electrical energy storage device and the like, forms a sensor and can protectively accommodate these elements, can also be received and held by the flange element. As a result, an entire sensor, including the sensor element, can be arranged on the flange element during production and, in a subsequent assembly step, can be arranged together with the flange element on the pipe element. This can simplify, accelerate and / or reduce the cost of production accordingly.

[0027] According to a further aspect of the invention, the sensor receptacle is formed integrally with the flange body. This can improve the retention of the sensor receptacle, including the sensor accommodated therein, with the flange element. This can also simplify manufacturing.

[0028] According to a further aspect of the invention, the volumes enclosed at least partially by the sensor receptacle and the sensor through-opening are connected to one another. This can enable or facilitate the direct insertion of the sensor element into the sensor through-opening during sensor insertion and the sensor receptacle of the flange body, so that this can be done in a single step.

[0029] According to a further aspect of the invention, the sensor receptacle is arranged, at least in sections, directly radially outwardly of the sensor through-opening. This can promote the previously described aspect of the invention.

[0030] According to a further aspect of the invention, the pipe element and the flange element are manufactured separately and subsequently joined together to form the pipe. This can simplify production. The connection between one end of the pipe element and the flange element can preferably be made by a material bond in order to create a connection at this point that is as durable and media-tight as possible. Depending on the application, this can be achieved, for example, by gluing or welding, in particular by laser welding or plasma welding. The pipe element and the flange element can be joined together in this way to form a one-piece composite in the form of a pipe.

[0031] In other words, a modern (aluminum) flange can retain its original thickness but has an additional lateral extension. The entire contour (flange and extension) is manufactured from a single piece, thus eliminating any (additional) potential leakage points. The actual measuring cell can be inserted laterally and, as if it were housed in its own housing, cast or pressed. Furthermore, the type of lateral machining required allows a fluid pulsation damping chamber to be incorporated into the flange at a "cost-neutral" cost, either "open" or with an additional Helmholz orifice, damping membrane, or the like. This allows for the creation of a cost-effective pipe as described above, as manufacturing can be accomplished with fewer process steps than previously known. The number of sealing points can also be reduced.

[0032] An embodiment and further advantages of the invention are explained below in conjunction with the following figures. Therein: Fig. 1 shows a schematic longitudinal section of a flange element according to the invention; and Fig. 2 shows a schematic longitudinal section of a pipe according to the invention.

[0033] The description of the above figures is given in cylindrical coordinates with a longitudinal axis X, a radial direction R perpendicular to the longitudinal axis X and a circumferential direction encircling the longitudinal axis X (not shown).

[0034] Fig. 1shows a schematic longitudinal section of a flange element 1 according to the invention. The flange element 1 consists of a flange body 10 made of aluminum, which is manufactured in one piece, e.g., as a cast part or as a milled part. Along the longitudinal axis X, the flange body 10 has a media passage opening 11, through which a medium, such as a fluid, can flow in a flow direction A (or in the opposite direction), as can be seen from the Fig. 2 will be explained in more detail. In the presentation of the Fig. 1 a pipe holder 12 is provided, which can hold a pipe element 3, as can also be seen from the Fig. 2 will be explained in more detail. The pipe holder 12 is designed as a depression or recess.

[0035] Opposite the pipe receptacle 12 along the longitudinal axis X is a guide element 13, which, as an annular projection, points away from the flange body 10 and is designed to be inserted into a corresponding opening of a connection partner, such as an assembly (not shown). A circumferentially closed sealing ring body 40 of a sealing element 4 can be arranged around the guide element 13, see Fig. 2 .

[0036] A lateral sensor passage opening 14 extends perpendicularly or radially to the longitudinal axis X, which is inserted into the Fig. 1 and 2to the left. The sensor through-opening 14 is introduced as a bore laterally radially inward into the flange body 10 and thus connects the media through-opening 11 radially with the surroundings of the flange element 1. Radially on the outside, a lateral sensor receptacle 15 adjoins the sensor through-opening 14, which is significantly larger in the circumferential direction (not shown) and along the longitudinal axis X than the sensor through-opening 14, so that a sensor 2 or its sensor housing 20 can be accommodated here. A sensor element 21 of the sensor 2 can extend in this way through the sensor through-opening 14 into the media through-opening 11, as can be seen from the Fig. 2 will be described in more detail.

[0037] Through the sensor through-hole 14, a further bore is drilled into the material of the flange body 10 on the radially opposite side of the media through-hole 11, which forms a pulsation damping chamber 16. The pulsation damping chamber 16 can be open, as shown in the Fig. 1 and 2 The flowmeter can be equipped with a Helmholtz aperture or a damping membrane (not shown). This dampens pulsations in the medium flowing through the media passage opening 11.

[0038] The flange body 10 further comprises a connection through-opening 17, which runs parallel to the media through-opening 11. A connecting element, such as a screw, can be guided through the connection through-opening 17 in order to fasten the flange element 1, together with the pipe element 3 attached thereto, to a connection partner (not shown), such as an aggregate.

[0039] Fig. 2shows a schematic longitudinal section of a pipe 1, 3 according to the invention. The pipe 1, 3 has the previously mentioned pipe element 3, which consists of a one-piece cylindrical pipe body 30 made of aluminum, which extends along the longitudinal axis X. The pipe body 30 can also be referred to as a pipe wall 30. The hollow interior of the pipe body 30 forms its media passage opening 31, which has the same cross-section as the media passage opening 11 of the flange body 10. The pipe element 3 can also have further elements such as, for example, holding and connecting elements (not shown) and the like.

[0040] During assembly, the tubular body 30 is inserted with an open end into the pipe receptacle 12 of the flange body 10. The tubular body 30 and the flange body 10 are welded together there, e.g., by laser welding, so that a materially bonded connection 32 is formed. This creates a one-piece pipe 1, 3.

[0041] The previously mentioned sensor 2 is then inserted into the lateral sensor receptacle 15 of the flange element 1 from the radial outside, so that the sensor housing 20 rests in the lateral sensor receptacle 15 both radially and in the circumferential direction as well as along the longitudinal axis X. The sensor 2 can be fixed there, for example by gluing. At the same time, the sensor element 21, which can also be referred to as the measuring sensor 21, projects radially inwards into the media passage opening 11 of the flange body 10, so that the medium can flow around the measuring sensor 21 or its measuring tip (not designated). This can enable the measuring sensor 21 to detect properties of the medium, such as its temperature, its flow velocity, and the like. The measuring sensor 21 is glued in the sensor passage opening 14, so that a secure hold and a media-tight seal can be achieved.

[0042] Towards the outside, the sensor 2 has a pair of plug contacts 23, which serve to connect a corresponding plug, e.g., for the electrical power supply or for data exchange of the sensor 2. The plug contacts 23 are surrounded by a plug collar 22 to protect them.

[0043] In this way, a pipe 1, 3 can be created which can be connected to a connection partner by means of a flange 1 as previously known. This can be done as described above, for example, by means of a screw through the connection through-opening 17. At the same time, a seal against the connection partner, such as an assembly, can be achieved by means of the sealing element 4 already mentioned. Furthermore, the measuring sensor 21 can be arranged such that the measuring sensor 21 or its measuring tip can reach the medium and detect at least one property of the medium. This can be done in a media-tight manner. At the same time, this can be done comparatively easily, since only the flange element 1 needs to be machined for this purpose instead of the pipe element 3. This can not only keep manufacturing costs low, but also avoid potential leakage points. List of reference symbols (part of the description)

[0044] A Flow direction of the medium R Radial direction XLongitudinal axis 1 Flange element 10 Flange body 11 Media through-hole 12 Pipe holder 13 Guide element 14 (lateral) sensor through-hole 15 (lateral) sensor holder 16 Pulsation damping chamber 17 Connection through-hole 2Sensor 20Sensor housing 21Sensor element; measuring probe 22Connector collar 23Connectors 3Pipe element 30Pipe body; pipe wall 31Media passage opening 32Connection; welded connection 4Sealing element 40Sealing element body

Claims

1. Pipe (1, 3) having a pipe element (3) for conveying a medium in a flow direction (A), having a flange element (1) for connecting the pipe element (3) to a connection partner, wherein the pipe element (3) has a pipe body (30) with a media passage opening (31) for conveying the medium in the flow direction (A), wherein the flange element (1) has a flange body (10) with a media passage opening (11) for conveying the medium in the flow direction (A), wherein the flange element (1) is arranged at one end of the pipe element (3) in such a way that the media passage openings (11, 31) at least essentially overlap, and having a sensor element (21) which is arranged in the flange body (10) such that at least a portion of the sensor element (21) can be in contact with the medium, wherein the flange element (1) has a sensor passage opening (14) which connects the media passage opening (11) of the flange element (1) to the environment of the flange element (1), wherein at least a portion of the sensor element (14) is arranged in the sensor passage opening (14), characterized in that the flange element (1) has a pulsation damping chamber (16) which is configured as a recess inside the flange body (10) open towards the media passage opening (11), wherein the pulsation damping chamber (16) is arranged directly opposite the sensor passage opening (14).

2. Pipe (1, 3) according to Claim 1, characterized in that the sensor element (21) is arranged in the flange body (10) such that at least a portion of the sensor element (21) extends into the passage opening (11) of the flange element (1).

3. Pipe (1, 3) according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the sensor passage opening (14) extends at least substantially perpendicularly to the flow direction (A) of the medium.

4. Pipe (1, 3) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensor passage opening (14) is formed as a bore in the flange body (10).

5. Pipe (1, 3) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pulsation damping chamber (16) comprises a Helmholtz resonator or a damping membrane.

6. Pipe (1, 3) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pulsation damping chamber (16) is formed as a bore in the flange body (10) through the sensor passage opening (14).

7. Pipe (1, 3) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flange element (1) has a sensor receiver (15) which at least substantially receives a sensor housing (20).

8. Pipe (1, 3) according to Claim 7, characterized in that the sensor receiver (15) is formed integrally with the flange body (10).

9. Pipe (1, 3) according to Claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the volumes encased at least in portions by the sensor receiver (15) and the sensor passage opening (14) are connected together.

10. Pipe (1, 3) according to any of Claims 7 to 9, characterized in that at least a portion of the sensor receiver (15) is arranged directly radially outside the sensor passage opening (14).

11. Pipe (1, 3) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pipe element (3) and the flange element (1) are produced separately and then connected together to form the pipe (1, 3).