ARRANGEMENT FOR ALIGNING TWO PIPELINES

Description

[0001] The invention relates to an arrangement for aligning a first pipeline with a second pipeline, wherein the first pipeline has a first pipeline end with a first adjusting ring having a recess extending along an axis around which a ring material extends along a circumferential direction, wherein the second pipeline has a second pipeline end with a second adjusting ring having a recess extending along an axis around which a ring material extends along a circumferential direction, wherein the first adjusting ring has a first contact surface, wherein the second adjusting ring has a second contact surface, wherein the first contact surface of the first adjusting ring is arranged opposite the second contact surface of the second adjusting ring.

[0002] Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for aligning a first pipeline with a second pipeline, wherein the first pipeline is formed with a first adjusting ring at a first pipeline end, wherein the second pipeline is formed with a second adjusting ring at a second pipeline end, wherein the first adjusting ring has a first contact surface, wherein the second adjusting ring has a second contact surface, wherein the first contact surface of the first adjusting ring is arranged opposite the second contact surface of the second adjusting ring.

[0003] Pipelines are generally joined together using flanges. Flanges as defined in the invention are also referred to as pipe flanges. When flanges are mentioned in this context, only pipe flanges are meant. Flanges serve to provide a tight, detachable connection between pipe sections. The crucial factor for leak tightness is the contact pressure applied by flange bolts to the annular sealing surfaces of the flanges against any intervening gasket. The bolts extend through bores in the flanges or the so-called flange plates. As components of the pipeline, flanges are generally welded to one end of the pipe. Flanges can also be provided on connecting components.

[0004] US2008 / 012319 A1 discloses an arrangement for aligning a first pipeline with a second pipeline, wherein a first contact surface of the first pipeline forms a surface of a spherical disk and a second contact surface of the second pipeline forms a surface of the spherical disk that is complementary to the surface of the first contact surface.

[0005] During the manufacture of pipelines and the installation of connected machines, a spatial offset of the pipelines to be joined often occurs, for example due to welding distortion.

[0006] Compensating for such a misalignment traditionally requires extensive rework or adjustments on-site, often under poor conditions, particularly without suitable machine tools. Transport and processing costs, as well as delays, are further, sometimes unforeseen, disadvantages.

[0007] The invention aims to simplify these tasks.

[0008] In order to flexibly compensate for various offset phenomena between pipelines, an arrangement of the type defined above with the additional features of the characterizing part of claim 1 is proposed to solve the problem according to the invention.

[0009] Furthermore, a method for aligning two pipelines is proposed.

[0010] The invention allows the shape deviations for the seal caused by manufacturing tolerances to be compensated for in relation to the arrangement of the sealing surfaces to each other without further processing on site, whereby the design is very compact.

[0011] Manufacturing tolerances of process lines or pipelines in general, and the resulting shape deviations for seals relating to the arrangement of the sealing surfaces to each other, can be compensated for on-site during assembly without further processing, thus eliminating the need for adjustment welds or complex adjustment rings.

[0012] A further advantage of the invention is the force coupling of the sealing elements, which is necessary for compressor applications. The invention ensures a defined force coupling of the pipelines to be joined, thus guaranteeing a defined force transmission into the equipment (e.g., compressors). Another advantage over butt welds is the absence of thermally induced distortion after welding.

[0013] The invention provides for the arrangement of an adapter ring at the ends of a first pipeline, the contact surfaces of which with a second adapter ring of a second pipeline are spherically shaped. The geometric shape of the contact surfaces corresponds to a spherical layer, also referred to as a spherical disk. A spherical layer, also called a spherical disk, is a portion of a sphere cut out by two parallel planes. The curved surface portion is called a spherical zone.

[0014] The geometric shape of the mounting surfaces makes it possible to compensate for an angular misalignment between two pipes. In other words, the first pipe can be inclined relative to the second pipe using the adjusting rings, thereby compensating for the angular misalignment.

[0015] According to the invention, a third adjusting ring is arranged between the second adjusting ring and the second pipe end of the second pipe, which has a recess extending along an axis around which a ring material extends along a circumferential direction, wherein the second adjusting ring and the third adjusting ring are designed to be displaceable relative to each other.

[0016] This allows the spacing between the pipes to be adjusted and optimized in their longitudinal direction. The distance between the first and second pipe ends can thus be increased or decreased.

[0017] Beneficial further training opportunities are listed in the sub-requirements.

[0018] In a first advantageous further development, the first fitting ring is integrally formed with the first pipeline. The first pipeline end can therefore be designed such that the spherical contact surface is directly attached to the first pipeline.

[0019] In an alternative and advantageous embodiment, the first fitting ring is designed as a separate fitting ring that can be connected to the first pipeline. Thus, the fitting ring, which has a spherical contact surface, can be connected to the first pipeline in a suitable manner, for example by welding.

[0020] In a further advantageous embodiment, the first adjustment ring is arranged along the circumferential direction of a first seal between the first adjustment ring and the second adjustment ring.

[0021] In a further advantageous embodiment, the second adjusting ring has a thread, wherein the third adjusting ring also has a thread, and the second adjusting ring and the third adjusting ring are connected to each other via the thread.

[0022] A thread is a profiled groove that runs continuously in a helical pattern (i.e., as a helix) in a cylindrical inner or outer wall. This continuous depression is called the thread on a screw or in a nut. It is a variation of the inclined plane, in which a circumferential force is converted into a larger longitudinal force, e.g., in screw presses, wine presses, and jacks. Components with external threads (screws) and those with internal threads (nuts) always form matching pairs.

[0023] By slightly rotating the first pipe or the first or second adjusting ring relative to the second pipe or the third adjusting ring, the distance between the first pipe and the second pipe can be varied.

[0024] In an advantageous further development, the thread comprises a thread turn that extends 360° in the circumferential direction.

[0025] In a further advantageous development, the thread is helically shaped.

[0026] The properties, features and advantages of this invention described above, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will become clearer and more easily understood in connection with the following description of the exemplary embodiments, which are explained in more detail in conjunction with the drawings.

[0027] Identical components or components with the same function are marked with the same reference numerals.

[0028] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings. These drawings are not intended to be drawn to scale; rather, where helpful for explanation, they are presented in a schematic and / or slightly distorted form. For further details regarding the teachings directly apparent from the drawings, reference is made to the relevant prior art.

[0029] They show: Figure 1: A schematic representation of a first pipeline and a second pipeline in an optimal alignment. Figure 2: A schematic representation of a first pipeline with an angular offset to a second pipeline. Figure 3: A schematic representation of a first pipeline with a longitudinal offset to a second pipeline. Figure 4: A schematic representation of a first pipeline and a second pipeline showing fitting rings. Figure 5: A schematic side view of the fitting rings. Figure 6: A schematic top view of the fitting rings. Figure 7: A schematic sectional view through the fitting rings. Figure 8: A schematic sectional view through the fitting rings with an angular offset. Figure 9: A schematic side view of the fitting rings in a close-up.

[0030] The Figure 1Figure 1 shows a simple schematic representation of an arrangement with a first pipe 2 and a second pipe 3, wherein the two pipes 2, 3 extend along a common axis 4. During operation, a fluid flows through the first and second pipes 2, 3. With the Figure 1 The figure is intended to symbolize an ideal position of the first and second pipelines 2, 3, in which the two pipelines 2, 3 are arranged parallel to the axis 4. In operation, the two pipelines 2, 3 are connected to each other; preferably flanges are used to connect the two pipelines.

[0031] The first pipeline 2 has a first pipeline end 5 at one end, the second pipeline 3 has a second pipeline end 6 opposite the first pipeline end 5.

[0032] The Figure 2This symbolizes a condition in which the first pipe 2 is inclined at an angle α relative to the second pipe 3. Such an arrangement is necessary, for example, during the assembly of pipes 2 and 3, as distortion or manufacturing tolerances are often not optimal. The second pipe 3 extends along a further axis 7, which is inclined at an angle α relative to axis 4.

[0033] The Figure 3 This symbolizes a state in which the first pipe 2 is spaced a distance d away from the second pipe 3 along axis 4. This distance is necessary, for example, during the assembly of pipes 2 and 3, as distortion or manufacturing tolerances are often not optimal. The second pipe 3 extends along the further axis 7, which is aligned parallel to axis 4.

[0034] In practice, a mixture of the state usually appears according to Figure 2 and the condition according to the Figure 3 In other words, after installation, the two pipes are offset by an angle α and a distance d. The invention proposes an arrangement with which the two pipes 2, 3 can be connected to each other despite the offset by the angle α and the distance d. This is achieved by an arrangement that is Figure 4 symbolizes.

[0035] The arrangement 1 then has a first pipeline 2, wherein the first pipeline 2 has a first pipeline end 5 with a first fitting ring 8, which has a recess extending along an axis 4 (not shown in Figure 4) around which a ring material extends along a circumferential direction 9.

[0036] The arrangement 1 further comprises a second pipeline 3 with a second pipeline end 6 with a second adapting ring 10, which has a recess extending along the axis 4 (not shown in Figure 4 ) exhibits a ring material extending along a circumferential direction 9.

[0037] Order 1 according to Figure 4 It also features a third adjustment ring 11, which will be explained in more detail below.

[0038] With the adjusting rings 8, 10, 11 it is possible to adjust an offset at an angle α and a distance d between the first pipe 2 and the second pipe 3, which is achieved with the help of the Figures 5 to 9 will now be explained.

[0039] The Figure 5Figure 1 shows a side view of the three fitting rings 8, 10, 11. The first fitting ring 8 has a first contact surface 12, the second fitting ring 10 has a second contact surface 13, the first contact surface 12 of the first fitting ring 8 being arranged opposite the second contact surface 13 of the second fitting ring 10.

[0040] The Figure 6 Figure 1 shows a top view of the three adjusting rings 8, 10, 11. The adjusting rings 8, 10, 11 have a recess 14 extending along the axis 4, around which a ring material 15 extends along the circumferential direction 9.

[0041] The Figures 7 and 8 The figures show a cross-sectional view through the three adjustment rings 8, 10, 11. Figure 7 This indicates the state in which the first pipe 2 has no offset at an angle relative to the second pipe 3 (angle a = 0). Figure 8indicates the condition in which the first pipe 2 has an offset at an angle to the second pipe 3 (angle a = approx. 3°).

[0042] The first contact surface 12 of the first fitting ring 8 corresponds to the geometric shape of a surface of a spherical disk. A spherical disk is a part of a sphere. In the Figure 7 The spherical shape is to be represented by the auxiliary line 16, where the auxiliary line is to represent a part of a sphere with radius r.

[0043] The second contact surface 13 has a surface of the spherical disk that is complementary to the surface of the first contact surface 12. This allows the first adjusting ring 8 to be rotated relative to the second adjusting ring 10 by the radius r, while the two contact surfaces 12, 13 remain in contact.

[0044] The Figure 8This shows the state in which the second adjusting ring 10 is slightly rotated relative to the first adjusting ring 8. The contact surfaces 12, 13 touch due to their geometric shape.

[0045] In a first embodiment, the first adapting ring 8 is integrally formed with the first pipe 2. In an alternative embodiment, the first adapting ring 8 is designed as a separate adapting ring that can be connected to the first pipe 2.

[0046] To improve the sealing effect between the first adjusting ring 8 and the second adjusting ring 10, a seal is arranged along the circumferential direction between the first and second adjusting rings 8, 10.

[0047] To compensate for an offset in the direction of axis 4, a third adjusting ring 11 is arranged. This third adjusting ring 11 is positioned between the second adjusting ring 10 and the second pipe end 6 of the second pipe 3. The third adjusting ring 11 has a recess 14 extending along axis 4, around which a ring material 15 extends along the circumferential direction 9. The second adjusting ring 10 and the third adjusting ring 11 are designed to be slidably displaceable relative to each other. This is achieved by the second adjusting ring 10 having a thread 17, and the third adjusting ring 11 also having a thread 17. The second adjusting ring 10 and the third adjusting ring 11 are connected to each other via the thread 17. Thus, by rotating the second adjusting ring 10 relative to the third adjusting ring 11, the distance between the second adjusting ring 10 and the third adjusting ring 11 is varied.

[0048] In a first embodiment, the third adapting ring 11 is integrally formed with the second pipe 3. In an alternative embodiment, the third adapting ring 11 is designed as a separate adapting ring 11 that can be connected to the second pipe 3.

[0049] In one embodiment, the thread 17 is formed with a thread that extends 360° in the circumferential direction.

[0050] The Figure 8Figure 1 also shows a variant in which an axial locking mechanism is incorporated. The axial locking mechanism serves to connect the second adjusting ring 10 to the third adjusting ring 11 after alignment. The axial locking is achieved via an overhang 21 on the third adjusting ring 11, which is designed to rest against the second adjusting ring 10, thus preventing displacement perpendicular to the axis 4. A pin 20 is arranged in this overhang 21, which is designed to exert a permanent force from the overhang 21 onto the second adjusting ring 10. This can be achieved, for example, via a thread.

[0051] As in Figure 9 As can be seen, the thread is helically shaped.

[0052] During the assembly of the first pipeline 2 with the second pipeline 3, the angular offset and the distance are compensated for using the adjusting rings 8, 10, 11. After this step, the adjusting rings 8, 10, 11 are joined together by a material bond. This material bond can be achieved by welding.

Claims

1. Assembly (1) for aligning a first pipeline (2) with a second pipeline (3), comprising a first pipeline (2) and a second pipeline (3), wherein the first pipeline (2) has a first pipeline end (5) with a first adjusting ring (8) which has a cut-out (14) extending along an axis (4), around which cut-out a ring material (15) extends in a circumferential direction (9), wherein the second pipeline (3) has a second pipeline end (6) with a second adjusting ring (10) which has a cut-out (14) extending along an axis (4), around which cut-out a ring material (15) extends in a circumferential direction (9) wherein the first adjusting ring (8) has a first abutment surface (12), wherein the second adjusting ring (10) has a second abutment surface (13), wherein the first abutment surface (12) of the first adjusting ring (8) is arranged opposite and in contact with the second abutment surface (13) of the second adjusting ring (10), wherein the first abutment surface (12) forms a surface of a spherical disc, wherein the second abutment surface (13) forms a spherical-disc surface which is configured in a manner complementary to the surface of the first abutment surface (12), characterized in that a third adjusting ring (11) is arranged between the second adjusting ring (10) and the second pipeline end (6) of the second pipeline (3), said third adjusting ring having a cut-out (14) extending along an axis (4), around which cut-out a ring material (15) extends along a circumferential direction (9), wherein the second adjusting ring (10) and the third adjusting ring (11) are configured to be displaceable relative to one another.

2. Assembly (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the first adjusting ring (8) is configured integrally with the first pipeline (2).

3. Assembly (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the first adjusting ring (8) is configured as a separate adjusting ring (8) which can be connected to the first pipeline (2).

4. Assembly (1) according to one of the preceding claims, having a first seal between the first adjusting ring (8) and the second adjusting ring (10) that is arranged in the circumferential direction (9).

5. Assembly (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the third adjusting ring (11) is configured integrally with the second pipeline (3).

6. Assembly (1) according to Claim 1, wherein the third adjusting ring (11) is configured as a separate adjusting ring (11) which can be connected to the second pipeline (3).

7. Assembly (1) according to one of Claims 1 to 6, wherein the second adjusting ring (10) has a thread (17), wherein the third adjusting ring (11) has a thread (17), wherein the second adjusting ring (10) and the third adjusting ring (11) are connected together via the thread (17).

8. Assembly (1) according to Claim 7, wherein the thread (17) comprises a thread turn which extends over 360° in the circumferential direction.

9. Assembly (1) according to Claim 7 or 8, wherein the thread turn is configured in a helical manner.

10. Method for aligning a first pipeline (2) with a second pipeline (3), wherein the first pipeline (2) is configured with a first adjusting ring (8) on a first pipeline end (5), wherein the second pipeline (3) is configured with a second adjusting ring (10) on a second pipeline end (6), wherein the first adjusting ring (8) has a first abutment surface (12), wherein the second adjusting ring (10) has a second abutment surface (13), wherein the first abutment surface (12) of the first adjusting ring (8) is arranged opposite and in contact with the second abutment surface (13) of the second adjusting ring (10), wherein the first abutment surface (12) forms a surface of a spherical disc, wherein the second abutment surface (13) forms a spherical-disc surface which is configured in a manner complementary to the surface of the first abutment surface (12), wherein an angular offset between the first pipeline (2) and the second pipeline (3) is compensated by a displacement of the first adjusting ring (8) relative to the second adjusting ring (10) along the spherical-disc surface, characterized in that the second pipeline (3) is configured with a third adjusting ring (11), wherein the second adjusting ring (10) and the third adjusting ring (11) are arranged in contact with one another, wherein the second adjusting ring (10) and the third adjusting ring (11) are configured to be displaceable relative to one another.

11. Method according to Claim 10, wherein a seal is arranged in the circumferential direction (9) between the first adjusting ring (8) and the second adjusting ring (10).

12. Method according to Claim 10 or 11, wherein the third adjusting ring (11) and the second adjusting ring (10) are connected together by a thread (17).

13. Method according to Claim 12, wherein the thread (17) is configured with a thread turn which extends over 360° in the circumferential direction.

14. Method according to Claim 12, wherein the thread turn is configured in a helical manner.