Locking device for a sealing sleeve which has a modifiable diameter

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking device (1) for locking a set internal diameter of an adaptable sealing sleeve which is made of a belt that has two overlapping ends, comprising a housing (5) with a locking element (6) and a spring element (7). The locking element is movably arranged in a chamber (8) of the housing and is operatively connected to the spring element, and the locking element engages into a row of teeth arranged on the belt through an opening of the chamber in order to lock the belt in a movement direction, wherein the chamber of the housing has a central axis K which is arranged at an angle α to the longitudinal axis L of the recess (2), and the lateral walls of the chamber are formed parallel to the central axis, in particular substantially parallel to the central axis, such that the locking element is moved or can be moved to and from the row of teeth along the central axis K.

Description

Locking device for a diameter-adjustable sealing sleeve

[0001] The present invention relates to a locking device for locking a set inner diameter of an adjustable sealing sleeve, which is formed from a band having two overlapping ends and which are locked to each other by a ratchet mechanism in order to set the inner diameter.

[0002] In the prior art, two basic possible sealing methods for piping systems are known. One method involves an internal seal, in which a conventional rubber-reinforced sealing device is applied from the inside against the leakage point in the inner wall of the piping system.

[0003] The second option involves a rubber-reinforced seal applied from the outside against the leakage point in the outer wall of the pipe system.

[0004] For example, a conventional seal to be applied to the inner wall may have an inner sealing sleeve comprising an expandable elastic band, such as a steel band or a band made of a plastic-like material, and a locking device.

[0005] The steel band is widened manually or with the help of a machine during the transition from the open position to the locked position and held in its widened position, i.e., in the locked position, by means of the locking device.

[0006] For example, a slot with one or two rows of teeth is arranged in the inner end of the steel band, while a tension pinion is rotatably mounted at the outer end of the steel band.

[0007] With the help of a tension spring, the locking pinion engages in the toothed rows of the slot as a recess, so that after expansion, the tension of the inner sealing cuff is increased after the locking pinion engages. The inner sealing sleeve is locked in its expanded state by the toothed rows of the slot. A locking bolt, actuated by a tension spring, ensures that the tension of the inner sealing sleeve is maintained after the locking pinion engages in the toothed rows, thus ensuring that the sealing strip applied to the outside of the inner sealing sleeve is fully pressed against the leak point of the conventional piping system.

[0008] However, it turns out that with this conventional inner sealing cuff, the locking bolt mechanism is complicated and also prone to malfunctions, since the locking bolt has to be rotatably mounted with a guide pinion and a sprocket.

[0009] The tension spring engages the pivot axis of the locking pinion, holds the locking pinion in engagement with the guide pinion, and presses it into the gap between the tensioning pinion and the guide pinion. This design is not only complex and prone to failure, but also fails to provide a permanent seal at the leak point of a pipeline system due to the mechanism's susceptibility to material fatigue.

[0010] For example, DE 20 2016 104 723 U1 describes a conventional sealing sleeve for internal insertion into a pipeline system for sealing the leakage point of the inner wall of the pipeline system, which comprises a ring-shaped, expandable steel band with two band ends, wherein the inner band end and the outer band end overlap in an overlap area.

[0011] The conventional sealing sleeve additionally features a locking device comprising a slot arranged circumferentially in the steel band with at least one row of teeth and a locking element. The locking element engages with its teeth in the row of teeth of the slot in a locking manner. The locking element has a carrier provided with several elastic, plastic-like spring elements, which is designed to be elastically resilient and spring-loaded, allowing it to pivot against the support.

[0012] The spring elements are firmly connected to a plastic-like carrier, possibly in one piece, and are oriented obliquely to the circumferential direction, with the distance between the free ends of adjacent spring elements corresponding to the distance between adjacent teeth of the tooth rows into which the free ends of the spring elements engage in a snapping manner.

[0013] In this conventional sealing sleeve, the locking device proves sensitive to the high compressive forces that can act on the spring elements. Consequently, the sealing sleeve does not remain permanently expanded or spread in the locked position, nor does it maintain pressure on the outer sealing band against the leak. Due to material fatigue, the spring elements, made of a plastic-like material, fail to remain engaged in the toothed slots. This fatigue leads to cracks and fissures in the spring elements, causing them to crumble. As a result, the sealing sleeve returns from its locked position to its open position, and the elastic rubber band exposes the leak.

[0014] DE 10 2020 122 833 B3 describes an inner sealing sleeve for insertion into pipes. The sealing sleeve disclosed therein is, in particular, a liner end sleeve. The inner sealing sleeve has a sleeve body made of an annularly bent band, with an inner band end and an outer band end overlapping.

[0015] The cuff body is expandable, allowing the inner end of the band to be displaced relative to the outer end along an expansion direction U. A locking mechanism prevents the inner end from being displaced relative to the outer end in the opposite direction of expansion.

[0016] The locking mechanism has a feature at the inner end of the strap. The circumferentially arranged slot features a row of teeth and a locking mechanism with a locking element. The locking element is acted upon by a spring element and engages the teeth of the row of teeth with its locking teeth. The locking element and the spring element are arranged in a chamber of a guide body, with the locking element being movable within the chamber. The chamber has so-called jaws that prevent the locking element and / or the spring element from falling out.

[0017] The problem here is that the locking device has a complex design and the locking element and the spring element can fall out of the housing if it is not closed with a lid.

[0018] Therefore, the object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide a device that is less prone to errors and does not require additional locking elements, but rather ensures that the locking element is always securely mounted.

[0019] The problem is solved by a locking device for locking a set inner diameter of an adjustable sealing sleeve formed from a band having two overlapping ends, comprising a housing with a locking element and a spring element, wherein the locking element is movably arranged in a chamber of the housing and is operatively connected to the spring element, and wherein the locking element engages in a row of teeth arranged on the band through an opening of the chamber to lock the band in a direction of movement, wherein the chamber of the housing has a central axis K which is arranged at an angle α to the longitudinal axis L of the opening, and the side walls of the chamber are formed, in particular substantially, parallel to the central axis, so that the locking element moves or can move along the central axis K towards and away from the row of teeth.

[0020] The inner diameter of a sealing sleeve is understood to be the diameter which includes the diameter of the cavity inside the sealing sleeve and the thickness of the sealing sleeve, and thus corresponds to the diameter of the pipe to be sealed.

[0021] A tooth row according to the invention is in particular formed in a sawtooth profile, wherein the edges perpendicular to the opening are arranged in the direction of movement of the locking device when locking.

[0022] It may be provided that the row of teeth is arranged in a vertical direction relative to each other in relation to the direction of movement of the belt end, with the housing resting on or being formed in the belt end.

[0023] According to one embodiment, the locking element may have a further row of teeth corresponding to the row of teeth of the band.

[0024] According to the invention, the further row of teeth of the locking element is formed in particular in a sawtooth profile, wherein the edges perpendicular to the recess are arranged opposite to the direction of movement of the locking device when locking, so that in a locked state they rest on the perpendicular edges of the row of teeth of the recess.

[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the angle a is 0° to 90° and in a particularly preferred embodiment 1° to 89°, with an angle in a range of 20° to 70° proving particularly advantageous.

[0026] The opening of the chamber preferably has the same length as the row of teeth of the locking mechanism.

[0027] According to the invention, it can be provided that the tooth row is arranged at an outer end of the band and the locking device at an inner end of the band on a curved band forming the cuff body, wherein the inner end of the band and the outer end of the band are arranged in a straight line. The ends of the straps overlap.

[0028] In particular, it is provided that the cuff body formed from the band is in a transport state as a band or as an expandable cuff, wherein the cuff is formed by overlapping the inner end of the band with the outer end of the band and inserting the locking device into the recess.

[0029] According to the invention, it can be provided that the cuff body is expandable and that the inner end of the band is displaceable relative to the outer end of the band along the recess.

[0030] According to the invention, the locking device may include a second locking element and the recess a second row of teeth opposite the first, wherein the second locking element is movably arranged in the chamber of the housing and is operatively connected to the first spring element and engages in the second row of teeth through a second opening of the chamber, wherein the chamber of the housing has a second central axis (J) which is arranged at an angle (β) to the longitudinal axis (L) of the recess, along which the second locking element moves.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, a second locking element and a second row of teeth in the recess are provided. This has the particular advantage that the sealing sleeve is subjected to a uniform load after locking, and the clamping force of the sleeve is distributed across two rows of teeth, resulting in increased durability and service life.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment, the angle β is 0° to 90° and in a particularly preferred embodiment 1° to 89°, with an angle in a range of 20° to 70° proving particularly advantageous.

[0033] In particular, it can be advantageous if the angle a and the angle β are chosen to be equal, so that a symmetry of movement of the two locking elements is created, especially in that both angles are mirror-symmetric about a plane parallel to the axis of movement of the belt end.

[0034] The second opening of the chamber preferably has the same length as the row of teeth of the second locking element.

[0035] The first and second locking elements are in operative contact with the same spring element and are pressed by it in the direction of the first and second openings.

[0036] According to the invention, the chamber of the housing may have a first and a second part, wherein the first part is designed and configured to receive the first locking element and the first spring element, and the second part is designed and configured to receive the second locking element and a second spring element, and has a second opening of the chamber.

[0037] In particular, the first and second parts of the chamber are arranged in a mirror image, each containing the first and second locking mechanism and spring element. This ensures that the forces acting through the cuff are distributed evenly.

[0038] According to the invention, it can be provided that the first locking element is connected to the first spring element and the second locking element is connected to the first spring element or the second spring element, and that the first and / or second spring element is connected to the housing.

[0039] In a preferred embodiment, such a connection can be provided, as this prevents the locking element and / or the spring element from falling out.

[0040] According to the invention, it can be provided that the first and / or second spring element is shaped as shaped springs, strip springs, flat springs, leaf springs, spring clamps, spiral springs, disc springs, wave springs, conical springs, barrel springs or ring springs.

[0041] In particular, the spring elements are made of a corrosion-resistant material, such as stainless steel and / or plastic, and are suitable for use in drinking water.

[0042] It is also possible that the spring element is a body made of an elastic material that exhibits a spring effect.

[0043] According to the invention, it can be provided that the first and / or second spring element comprises a locking device which is designed and configured to hold the restoring force of the spring element and to release it when necessary, wherein in a preferred embodiment the first and / or second locking element does not engage in the first and / or second row of teeth of the recess in the locked state.

[0044] This has the particular advantage that the locking device can be more easily inserted into the recess when in a locked position.

[0045] According to the invention, the use of a locking device for fixing an inner diameter of an adjustable sealing sleeve is further provided.

[0046] Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained by means of schematic drawings, without thereby limiting the invention.

[0047] This shows: Fig. 1 : a schematic sectional view of a locking device according to the invention for fixing an inner diameter of an adjustable sealing sleeve; Fig. 2 a and b: a schematic sectional view of a locking device according to the invention in various embodiments.

[0048] Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of a locking device 1 according to the invention, comprising a recess 2 with a row of teeth 3 and a detent device 4. The locking device 1 includes a housing 5, a detent element 6, and a spring element 7.

[0049] The locking element 6 is movably arranged in a chamber 8 of the housing 5 and is operatively connected to the spring element 7. Through a first opening of the chamber 9, teeth of the locking device 4 engage with the tooth row 10, so that, due to the selected shape of the teeth, the bands can move relative to each other in a first direction of movement and in an opposite second direction. The direction of movement is blocked.

[0050] The chamber of the housing 8 has a central axis (K) which is arranged at an angle α to the longitudinal axis (L) of the recess 2. The locking element 6 moves along the central axis (K) and is always securely locked in place by this movement, which is oblique to the belt movement.

[0051] Figures 2a and 2b show further embodiments of a locking device 4 according to the invention.

[0052] The locking device 4 according to Figure 2a further comprises a second locking element 11 and a locking device 12, wherein the locking device 12 is not activated and the chamber of the housing 8 has a second central axis (J) which is arranged at an angle β to the longitudinal axis (L) of the recess 2.

[0053] Figure 2b shows a modified embodiment of a locking device 4 according to the invention. The locking device 4 further comprises a second chamber 13 and opening 14 as well as a second locking element 15 and a second spring element 16.

[0054] The features of the invention disclosed in the preceding description and the claims can be essential for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments, both individually and in any combination.

Claims

Claims: Locking device for locking a set inner diameter of an adjustable sealing sleeve formed from a band having two overlapping ends, comprising a housing with a locking element and a spring element, wherein the locking element is movably arranged in a chamber of the housing and is operatively connected to the spring element, and wherein the locking element engages in a row of teeth arranged on the band through an opening of the chamber to lock the band in a direction of movement, characterized in that the chamber of the housing has a central axis K, which is arranged at an angle α to the longitudinal axis L of the recess, and the side walls of the chamber are formed, in particular substantially, parallel to the central axis, so that the locking element moves or can move along the central axis K towards and away from the row of teeth.A locking device according to claim 1, characterized in that the toothed row is arranged at an outer end of the band and the locking device at an inner end of the band on a curved band forming the cuff body, wherein the inner and outer band ends overlap. A locking device according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the cuff body is expandable and the inner band end is displaceable relative to the outer band end along the recess. A locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the locking device comprises a second locking element and the recess comprises a second row of teeth opposite the first, wherein the second locking element is movably arranged in the chamber of the housing and is in operative connection with the first spring element and engages in the second row of teeth through a second opening of the chamber, wherein the chamber of the housing has a second central axis (J) which is arranged at an angle (β) to the longitudinal axis (L) of the recess, along which the second locking element moves.A locking device according to any one of the preceding claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the chamber of the housing has a first and a second part, wherein the first part is designed and configured to receive the first locking element and the first spring element, and the second part is designed and configured to receive the second locking element and a second spring element, and has a second opening of the chamber. A locking device according to claim 5, characterized in that the first locking element is connected to the first spring element and the second locking element is connected to the first spring element or the second spring element, and the first and / or second spring element is connected to the housing.Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and / or second spring element is designed as shaped springs, strip springs, flat springs, leaf springs, spring clips, spiral springs, disc springs, wave springs, conical springs, barrel springs or ring springs. A locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and / or second spring element comprises a locking device designed and configured to hold the restoring force of the spring element and release it as needed, wherein, in a preferred embodiment, the first and / or second locking element does not engage in the first and / or second row of teeth of the recess when locked. Use of a locking device according to one of the preceding claims for locking an inner diameter of an adjustable sealing sleeve. Use according to claim 9 in sewer rehabilitation.

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