METHOD FOR ATTACHING A MEASURING DEVICE TO A PIPE

Description

[0001] Method for attaching a measuring device to a pipe The invention relates to a method for subsequently attaching a measuring device to a pipe of a fluid line of a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle.

[0002] In the field of railway vehicle technology, particularly in connection with freight wagons, the problem arises of retrofitting completed or already commissioned railway vehicles with air pressure measuring devices to monitor the air pressure of the compressed air brake system. The limited space available for the necessary work steps, as well as the safety aspect that contamination of the compressed air line or the compressed air brake system must be avoided at all costs, are problematic in this context.

[0003] US 3 178 944 A discloses a method for retrofitting a measuring device to a fluid line of a rail vehicle.

[0004] US 5 971 001 A discloses a method for permanently retrofitting a measuring device (32) to a pipe (12) of a fluid line.

[0005] US 2 991 551 A discloses a method by which a hole can be made in the pipe by melting the pipe material.

[0006] The invention is based on the objective of providing a method for retrofitting a measuring device to a pipe of a fluid line of a vehicle, which can be carried out at low cost, quickly, but without endangering the existing infrastructure.

[0007] This problem is solved according to the invention by a method with the features according to claim 1. Advantageous embodiments of the method according to the invention are specified in the dependent claims.

[0008] According to the invention, a hole is melted into the pipe in the vehicle using a chip-free flow drilling process by melting the pipe material, and the measuring device is connected to the melted hole.

[0009] A significant advantage of the method according to the invention is that it eliminates the need to drill into the fluid line, because instead a hole is created by melting or sealing it. Sealing instead of drilling has the major advantage that no chips are produced that could fall into the interior of the fluid line and impair or even disable the fluid system as a whole. This latter aspect is particularly important if the fluid line itself is not pressurized when the hole is created, so that particles would readily fall into the fluid line unless this is prevented by a specific measure.

[0010] It is advantageous if a tapping clamp is first attached to the pipe located in the vehicle and the flow drilling process is carried out at the point defined by the tapping clamp.

[0011] The fluid line is preferably a compressed air line of the vehicle and the hole is preferably melted into the compressed air line.

[0012] The fluid line is preferably a compressed air line of a vehicle's compressed air brake system. A pressure gauge is preferably connected to the pipe as a measuring device, which measures the air pressure of the compressed air brake system during operation.

[0013] The chip-free flow drilling process is preferably carried out using a portable router, operating it at speeds above 10,000 revolutions per minute. A speed of 30,000 revolutions per minute (± 10%) is considered particularly advantageous for the chip-free flow drilling process.

[0014] During operation, the router is preferably pressed onto the pipe exclusively manually (with manual pressure) without an additional pressure device.

[0015] An adapter device is preferably arranged between the portable router and the tapping clamp, especially if an opening in the tapping clamp alone cannot provide sufficient guidance for the router.

[0016] In a preferred embodiment of the method, it is provided that the adapter device is mounted on the portable router to form a router-adapter unit and the router-adapter unit is placed on the tapping clamp, in particular its fastening screws.

[0017] In the latter variant, it is advantageous if the adapter device is mounted on the portable router to form the router-adapter unit by passing screws through holes in the adapter device and screwing them into the router.

[0018] In another preferred embodiment of the method, it is provided that the adapter device is placed on the tapping clamp, in particular on an attachment stub of the tapping clamp, or inserted into an opening of the tapping clamp, in particular into an attachment stub of the tapping clamp, before the router is placed on the adapter device.

[0019] The tapping clamp preferably has a tubular mounting stub onto which the adapter device is placed.

[0020] The central axis or longitudinal direction of the tubular attachment nozzle preferably extends radially outwards, particularly preferably in such a way that the axis of rotation of the milling head can be aligned coaxially to the central axis of the tubular attachment nozzle.

[0021] The inner wall of the tubular attachment fitting is preferably provided with an internal thread, which allows a component, such as the measuring device, to be screwed in.

[0022] The mounting bracket preferably has a dual function: On the one hand, its outer wall can be used to mount and align the router, and on the other hand, its inner wall can be used to accommodate or mount the measuring device.

[0023] The measuring device is preferably connected to the inner wall of the mounting nozzle, in particular by screwing it on.

[0024] The adapter device preferably has a through-hole whose inner contour matches the outer contour or outer wall of the mounting stub of the tapping clamp and ensures centering of the adapter device on the mounting stub and thus of the milling head of the router within the opening of the mounting stub.

[0025] In a particularly advantageous variant of the process, it is provided that the tapping clamp has a tubular attachment with an outer wall and an inner wall, the adapter device is placed on the attachment and centered by the outer wall of the attachment, the milling head is guided through the attachment and placed on the pipe, the hole is then melted, and the measuring device is screwed into an internal thread in the inner wall of the tubular attachment after the hole has been melted.

[0026] The melting of the pipe material is preferably carried out when the pipe is depressurized.

[0027] The pipe is preferably a metal pipe.

[0028] The melting of the pipe material is preferably carried out in a freight train wagon, for example as part of modernization work to adapt the freight train wagon to new standards.

[0029] The invention further relates to a rail vehicle with a fluid line and a measuring device. According to the invention, the measuring device is subsequently attached to a pipe of the fluid line by a method according to any one of claims 1 to 13.

[0030] Regarding the advantages of the rail vehicle according to the invention and advantageous embodiments of the rail vehicle according to the invention, reference is made to the above statements in connection with the method according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments.

[0031] It is advantageous if the measuring device is screwed into a tubular mounting stub of a tapping clamp, the outer wall of which forms an adjustment device for a centered placement of a router, an adapter device and / or a router adapter unit.

[0032] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to exemplary embodiments; these show, by way of example, Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a rail vehicle in the form of a freight train wagon equipped with a compressed air braking system, in a schematic, not to scale representation; Figures 2-6 show the process steps for retrofitting the compressed air braking system of the freight train wagon according to Figure 1 in the depressurized state using a router mounted on a tapping clamp by means of an adapter device; Figure 7 shows an embodiment of a preferred design of an adapter device for the method according to the Figures 2 to 6 in a three-dimensional view obliquely from the side, and Figure 8 an embodiment of a method in which an adapter device is inserted into the tapping clamp, i.e. not placed on it.

[0033] For the sake of clarity, the same reference symbols are always used in the figures for identical or comparable components.

[0034] The Figure 1 Figure 1 shows a schematic, not-to-scale representation of a section of a compressed air line 10, which forms part of a compressed air brake system 20 that is only indicated and not shown in detail. The compressed air brake system 20 is installed in a rail vehicle 30, which could be, for example, a freight train wagon.

[0035] In connection with the Figures 2 to 7The following example illustrates how the compressed air brake system 20 can be retrofitted with an additional air pressure measuring device while depressurized, i.e., when the rail vehicle is parked. The aim is to prevent contaminants, particularly pipe material from the compressed air line 10, from falling into the interior of the compressed air line 10 during the retrofit process due to abrasion or splintering, and potentially damaging or completely disabling the compressed air brake system 20.

[0036] In a first process step, a tapping clamp 40 is installed on the compressed air line 10 using, for example, four fastening screws 42, as shown in the example below. Figure 2 shown in cross-section.

[0037] The tapping saddle 40 according to Figure 2has a clamp section 400 which rests against the compressed air line 10 and is preferably sealed against the compressed air line 10 with a seal not shown.

[0038] Furthermore, the tapping saddle 40 features according to Figure 2 a clamp section in the form of a tubular mounting sleeve 410. The central axis M or the longitudinal direction of the tubular mounting sleeve 410 extends radially outwards.

[0039] An inner wall 411 of the tubular attachment fitting 410 is provided with an internal thread (not shown) which allows a component, such as a measuring device, to be screwed in.

[0040] The tubular attachment nozzle 410 forms an opening 41 that leaves a section of the compressed air line 10 free and allows a pipe processing device to be attached to the compressed air line 10.

[0041] The Figure 3Figure 1 shows the tapping clamp 40 with the opening 41 in a top view; it can also be seen here that a material processing device can be placed on the opening 41 to create a hole in the pipe of the compressed air line 10. In addition, the fastening screws 42, which allow the tapping clamp 40 to be tightened to the compressed air line 10, can be seen.

[0042] The Figure 4 Figure 1 shows the compressed air line 10 and the tapping clamp 40 again in a cross-section, after an adapter device 100 and a portable router 50 as a material processing device were manually placed on the tapping clamp 40 in such a way that its milling head 51 rests directly on the compressed air line 10.

[0043] The adapter device 100 is preferably firmly connected to the router 50 before being placed on the tapping clamp 40, for example by screwing it on, in order to form a pre-assembled router-adapter unit.

[0044] One can recognize in the Figure 4 that a through-hole 102 of the adapter device 100 rests against the outer wall 412 of the mounting bracket 410, thus centering the router adapter unit in the opening 41 or relative to the mounting bracket 410. At the same time, the adapter device 100, by resting on the four fastening screws 42, ensures a perpendicular or at least approximately perpendicular milling process.

[0045] When the portable router 50 is put into operation and operated at a speed of over 10,000 revolutions per minute, preferably at a speed of over 30,000 revolutions per minute, its milling head 51, with only slight manual pressure – as determined by the inventor – will not produce any chips or create a chip-filled borehole in a metal compressed air line 10, as is commonly used in railway engineering for compressed air lines, but instead will melt and displace the pipe material of the compressed air line 10, thereby forming a melted hole 60 in the compressed air line 10.

[0046] The Figure 5 shows the compressed air line 10, after the portable router 50 has been used in accordance with Figure 4 The melted hole 60 has been produced.

[0047] After the hole 60 has been melted, an air pressure measuring device 70 is inserted into the mounting nozzle 410 (see figure). Figure 6 ) by screwing it, with its external thread (not shown further), into the internal thread (also not shown further) in the inner wall 411 of the tubular attachment fitting 410.

[0048] It can be seen that the mounting bracket 410 advantageously performs a dual function: It serves both for mounting and aligning the adapter device 100 or the router adapter unit, as in connection with the Figures 2 to 4 as has been explained, as well as for the mounting or installation of the measuring device 70 by screwing it to the inner wall 411, as in connection with the Figure 6 has been explained.

[0049] The Figure 7Figure 1 shows in more detail an embodiment of the adapter device 100, which preferably has holes 106 that match a base plate of the router 50. These holes allow the adapter device 100 to be screwed onto the base plate of the router 50, thus forming a router-adapter unit before both are mounted together onto the mounting bracket 410. The through-hole 102, which serves to center or align the adapter device 100 on the mounting bracket 410 of the tapping clamp 40, is particularly visible.

[0050] In the embodiment according to the Figures 2 to 7The adapter device 100 is aligned with the outer wall 412 of the mounting stub 410 of the tapping clamp 40. If the diameter of the opening 41 of the tapping clamp 40 is large enough that a front part of the router 50 can protrude into it, an adapter device 100 can also be inserted into the opening 41 of the tapping clamp 40 so that its outer contour aligns with the inner wall of the opening 41. An example of such an alternative design is shown in the figure. Figure 8 .

[0051] Although the invention has been illustrated and described in detail by means of preferred embodiments, the invention is not limited by the disclosed examples and other variations can be derived by the person skilled in the art without leaving the scope of protection of the invention as defined by the attached claims. Reference symbol list

[0052] 10 Compressed air line 20 Compressed air brake system 30 Rail vehicle 40 Tapping clamp 41 Opening 42 Mounting screws 50 Router 51 Milling head 60 Melted hole 70 Air pressure measuring device 100 Adapter device 102 Through hole for centering 106 Mounting holes 400 Clamp section 410 Mounting nozzle 411 Inner wall 412 Outer wall MCenter axis

Claims

1. Method for retrofitting a measuring facility (70) on a tube of a fluid line of a vehicle, in particular a rail vehicle (30), characterised in that - in the vehicle, a hole (60) is melted into the tube with a non-cutting friction drilling process by melting the material of the tube, and - the measuring facility (70) is connected to the melted-in hole (60).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterised in that firstly a pipe boring clamp (40) is mounted on the tube situated in the vehicle and the friction drilling process is carried out at the site defined by the pipe boring clamp (40).

3. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the fluid line is a compressed air line (10) of the vehicle and the hole (60) is melted into the compressed air line (10).

4. Method according to one of the preceding claims, c h a r a c t e r i s e d i n t h a t - the fluid line is a compressed air line (10) of a compressed air braking system (20) of the vehicle, and - an air pressure measuring facility is connected to the tube as a measuring facility (70) which, during operation, measures the air pressure of the compressed air braking system (20).

5. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the non-cutting friction drilling process is created with a transportable routing machine (50) while said machine is operated in a rotary speed range of over 10,000 rotations per minute.

6. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that during operation, the routing machine (50) is pressed onto the tube exclusively manually without any additional pressing facility.

7. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that an adapter facility (100) is arranged between the transportable routing machine (50) and the pipe boring clamp (40).

8. Method according to claim 7, characterised in that - the adapter facility (100) is mounted on the transportable routing machine (50) forming a routing machine adapter unit, and - the routing machine adapter unit is placed on the pipe boring clamp (40).

9. Method according to claim 8, characterised in that the adapter facility (100) is mounted on the transportable routing machine (50) forming the routing machine adapter unit by feeding screws through holes (106) in the adapter facility (100) and screwing them into the routing machine (50).

10. Method according to claim 7, characterised in that - the adapter facility (100) is placed on an opening (41) of the pipe boring clamp (40), and - only thereafter is the routing machine (50) placed on the adapter facility (100), wherein a router head (51) of the routing machine (50) is guided through a through hole (102) of the adapter facility (100).

11. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that - the pipe boring clamp comprises a tubular attachment connecting piece which has an outer wall and an inner wall, - the adapter facility or the routing machine adapter unit is placed on the attachment connecting piece and is therein centred by way of the outer wall of the attachment connecting piece, and - after the melting-in of the hole, the measuring facility is screwed into an internal thread in the inner wall of the tubular attachment connecting piece.

12. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that - the tube is a metal tube, and - the melting of the tube material is carried out in a goods wagon.

13. Method according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the melting of the tube material is carried out in the unpressurised state of the tube.

14. Rail vehicle (30) with a fluid line which has a tube, and a measuring facility, characterised in that the measuring facility is subsequently attached to the tube of the fluid line by way of a method according to one of the preceding claims.

15. Rail vehicle according to claim 14, characterised in that the measuring facility is screwed into a tubular attachment connecting piece of a pipe boring clamp, the outer wall of which forms an adjusting facility for a centred placement of a routing machine, an adapter facility and / or a routing machine adapter unit.