Permanent lock for a sealing sleeve which has a modifiable diameter

Abstract

The invention relates to a locking device 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 (31) with a locking element (37) and a spring element (33). The locking element is movably arranged in a chamber (35) of the housing and is operatively connected to the spring element, and the locking device comprises an adhesive storage container (1) in which an adhesive is arranged that can be released in order to securely connect the locking element to the chamber and / or to the row of teeth by means of an adhesive so that the lock of the sealing sleeve is permanent.

Description

Permanent locking of a diameter-variable 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 detent device 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. REPLACEMENT SHEET (RULE 26) 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. 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 displaceable within the chamber.

[0017] A problem with all adjustable-diameter sealing sleeves is that the locking mechanism can loosen again after the desired inner diameter has been set. This is undesirable, but can occur over long periods (months, years) due to material fatigue, vibrations, etc.

[0018] In unfavorable conditions, the locking device can fail in significantly shorter periods. According to prior art solutions, this cannot be prevented, even if the design is solely intended to cause the cuff to expand and not to shrink in diameter.

[0019] Therefore, the object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and, in particular, to provide a device that permanently fixes the once set inner diameter of a length-variable sealing sleeve.

[0020] 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, and wherein an adhesive reservoir is included in which an adhesive is arranged that can be released to firmly bond the locking element to the chamber and / or to the row of teeth by means of an adhesive, so that the The locking mechanism of the sealing sleeve is permanent.

[0021] The inner diameter of a sealing sleeve refers to the diameter of the cavity inside the sealing sleeve. The inner diameter plus the thickness of the sealing sleeve thus equals the diameter of the pipe to be sealed.

[0022] 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.

[0023] It may be provided that the row of teeth is arranged in particular vertically to the direction of movement of the belt end relative to each other, with the housing in particular resting on or being formed in the belt end.

[0024] According to one embodiment, the locking element may have a further row of teeth corresponding to the row of teeth of the band.

[0025] 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.

[0026] The present invention is based on the surprising finding that an additional locking mechanism can be achieved for a sealing sleeve if the locking mechanism is partially or completely glued and thus additionally fixed.

[0027] This can be solved according to the invention by comprising an adhesive reservoir such that, through the action of mechanical pressure forces, the adhesive stored in it is either forced into the chamber in which the spring and partially the locking element is arranged, and / or in the area of ​​the tooth row and the locking mechanism located there, where the adhesive hardens. Once hardened, the moving parts of the device are fixed and the diameter of the cuff can no longer be changed.

[0028] For example, if a sealing sleeve is inserted into a channel and expanded, then, as described, a sleeve body according to the invention is designed to be expandable such that the inner end of the band is movable relative to the outer end of the band along an expansion direction. The locking arrangement prevents the inner end of the band from being moved back relative to the outer end of the band in the opposite direction to the expansion direction.

[0029] The sealing sleeve is expanded until it rests against the inner wall of the channel and is intended to be permanently locked in this position. This is achieved by the locking mechanism and the additional bonding of the locking mechanism to the spring element in the chamber and / or to the toothed section.

[0030] According to one embodiment of the present invention, it may be preferred that the adhesive pre-curing container is arranged on the outer side of the housing of the locking element facing the interior of the sealing sleeve, and wherein the adhesive reservoir has a closure which opens when a predetermined opening pressure is exceeded, so that the adhesive stored in the adhesive pre-curing container flows into the chamber and / or surrounds the locking element and tooth row.

[0031] According to the exemplary embodiment, if the sealing sleeve is pressed against the inner wall of the channel, pressure is exerted on the adhesive pre-curing container, as this is located on the outside of the sealing sleeve and on the inside of the channel. Thus, the moment the sealing sleeve has reached the desired expanded diameter, the adhesive is squeezed out of the adhesive pre-curing container and permanently fixes the locking mechanism.

[0032] A particular advantage of the present invention is that no manual operation is required. The cuff locks itself at the desired point completely automatically and without user error thanks to the adhesive reservoir.

[0033] In particular, it may be provided that the adhesive is a 2-component adhesive, producible with methyl methacrylate compounds having a boiling point greater than 100°C or 150°C, a flash point of 11°C or 20°C, a vapor pressure of 157 mbar, and a density of 1.07 g / cm³. 3 or 0.95 g / cm² 3 and / or exhibit low solubility at 20°C with solvent water, preferably the adhesive has a viscosity of 60,000 mPas to 80,000 mPas, advantageously 70,000 mPas at 20°C.

[0034] Such two-component adhesives have the particular advantage that they are stored separately from one another in the adhesive reservoir according to the invention and are only mixed when they are forced out of the reservoir by mechanical pressure. After mixing, the two components can then be selected to be fast-curing, since the adhesive reservoir is preferably arranged on or adjacent to the chamber and / or the locking element.

[0035] It may be preferred that the opening pressure for releasing the adhesive is at least 0.1 N, preferably at least 1 N, particularly preferably 5 N and particularly preferably a maximum of 100000 N and / or at least 0.1 bar, preferably at least 0.5 bar.

[0036] The desired opening pressure for releasing the adhesive can be chosen almost freely. It has proven advantageous if this pressure is not too low, in order to prevent accidental release.

[0037] As explained above, it can be particularly advantageous that the opening pressure for opening the closure is provided by moving the band when adjusting the inner diameter or by applying pressure to the outside of the adhesive reservoir, directed towards the inside of the sealing sleeve, wherein in particular the The adhesive reservoir is made of an elastic material.

[0038] The choice of material for the adhesive reservoir depends on the required pressure for releasing the adhesive. Furthermore, the geometry and wall thickness are selected accordingly. The fundamental selection of suitable materials and geometries is the responsibility of the person skilled in the art, although exemplary designs of adhesive reservoirs can be found in the literature, depending on the application.

[0039] According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the adhesive reservoir has two chambers which are separated from each other by means of a partition, and in each chamber a component of a 2-component adhesive is stored, wherein both chambers are in operative connection with the closure and the adhesive components from the two chambers flow through the closure and mix due to the opening pressure.

[0040] A potential problem with a device according to the invention is the pot life of adhesives. This is avoided by using multi-component adhesives, particularly two-component adhesives. With such adhesives, selecting the appropriate viscosity is crucial to ensure that the adhesive flows reliably to the desired areas and remains there.

[0041] It may prove advantageous for the adhesive to reliably bond the locking element to have a viscosity range at 20°C in the range of 20,000 mPas to 1,000,000 mPas, preferably from 40,000 mPas to 800,000 mPas or from 50,000 mPas to 500,000 mPas, preferably from 60,000 mPas to 600,000 mPas.

[0042] Further advantageous features of the chamber are described below.

[0043] The opening of the chamber preferably has the same length as the tooth row of the locking element. 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 The outer ends of the band overlap.

[0044] 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.

[0045] According to the invention, it can be provided 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.

[0046] 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.

[0047] The second opening of the chamber preferably has the same length as the row of teeth of the second locking element.

[0048] 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.

[0049] 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.

[0050] In particular, a mirror-image arrangement of the first and second parts of the chamber, with their respective first and second locking elements and spring elements, is provided. This ensures that the The forces acting on the cuff are distributed evenly.

[0051] 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.

[0052] In a preferred embodiment, such a connection can be provided, as this prevents the locking element and / or the spring element from falling out.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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.

[0055] It is also possible that the spring element is a body made of an elastic material that exhibits a spring effect.

[0056] 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.

[0057] This has the particular advantage that the locking device can be more easily inserted into the recess when in a locked position.

[0058] According to the invention, the use of a locking device for fixing an inner diameter of an adjustable sealing sleeve is further provided.

[0059] 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.

[0060] This shows: Fig. 1 : a schematic sectional view of an adhesive reservoir according to the invention for a locking device according to the invention for fixing an inner diameter of an adjustable sealing sleeve; Fig. 2 a and b: schematic views of a locking device according to the invention as from the “inside” and the “outside” of a sealing sleeve; and Fig. 3: a schematic, perspective view of a locking device according to the invention on a sealing sleeve.

[0061] Figure 1 shows a schematic sectional view of an adhesive storage container 1 according to the invention in an exemplary embodiment.

[0062] The adhesive storage container 1 shown comprises an outer container 3 with an interior 9 bounded laterally by a side wall 5, preferably conical in longitudinal section, and on the underside by a base 7. A tapered cap 13 is formed on the underside 11 of the base 7, facing away from the side wall 5. This cap 13 has a further conical interior 17 bounded by a cap wall 15, which is also conical in longitudinal section. This interior 17 is divided into two sub-compartments by means of a film 19' for holding two-component adhesive. The further interior 17 is separated from the interior 9 of the outer container by an opening 21 and a film 19.One of the points 23 of the cap 13 facing away from the side wall 5 is formed with a circumferential outwardly projecting support surface 25 for attachment against a part of a chamber of the locking device and the underside 11 of the bottom 7 of the outer container 95 is attached against this part of the chamber.

[0063] The embodiment shown in Figure 1 is to be understood as purely exemplary. According to the invention, it has proven advantageous that It has been demonstrated that an adhesive storage container 1 has two chambers for storing the two components of a two-component adhesive separately. Since the adhesive storage container 1 is preferably made of a flexible material to release the adhesive by external deformation, it is preferred according to the invention to also use, for example, a deformable film 19, 19' to separate the two interior spaces.

[0064] The cap 13 is one possible embodiment, as it can be removed either by the internal pressure in the adhesive reservoir 1 caused by pressing the sealing sleeve against the inner wall of a pipe during expansion, or by the cap 13 being pulled off when the two overlapping ends of the band forming the sealing sleeve are moved. Other embodiments are of course conceivable and covered by the invention, for example, embodiments with films that perforate under pressure, variants with (forced) mixers for the two-component adhesives, etc.

[0065] As shown below in Figures 2a and 2b, the adhesive reservoir 1 can be arranged on the outside of a locking device 31, which in turn is arranged on a sealing sleeve not shown.

[0066] One embodiment of an adjustable sealing sleeve is formed from a band having two overlapping ends. At this end (not shown), the housing 31 is arranged with a locking element 37 and a spring element 33, wherein the locking element 37 is movably arranged in a chamber 35 of the housing 31 and is in operative connection with the spring element 33.

[0067] To lock the two ends of the band together, the locking element 37 engages in a row of teeth 39 arranged on the band through an opening in the chamber 35 in order to lock the band in one direction of movement.

[0068] The adhesive reservoir 1 is located on the side facing the inside of the sealing sleeve, as shown in Figures 2a and 2b. The locking element 37 is located on the outside of the housing 31.

[0069] When a predetermined opening pressure is exceeded, the closure in the form of the exemplary cap 13 opens, so that the adhesive stored in the adhesive reservoir 1 flows into the chamber 35 and surrounds the locking element 37 and tooth row 39.

[0070] As can be clearly seen in Figure 3 below, the opening pressure can be achieved by expanding a cuff according to the invention against the inner wall of a pipe. As soon as the cuff presses against the inner wall during expansion, a corresponding pressure is exerted on the adhesive reservoir 1, and the adhesive stored therein is released and permanently fixes the locking device according to the invention.

[0071] It may be provided that two locking devices according to the invention with two adhesive reservoirs 1 are used, which are arranged at both side ends of the sealing sleeve.

[0072] 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 an adhesive reservoir is included in which an adhesive is arranged which can be released to firmly bond the locking element to the chamber and / or to the row of teeth by means of an adhesive, so that the locking of the sealing sleeve is permanent.Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the adhesive reservoir is arranged on the outer surface of the housing of the locking element facing the interior of the sealing sleeve, and wherein the adhesive reservoir has a closure that opens when a predetermined opening pressure is exceeded, so that the adhesive stored in the adhesive reservoir flows into the chamber and / or surrounds the locking element and tooth row. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that. The opening pressure for releasing the adhesive is at least 0.1 N, preferably at least 1 N, particularly preferably 5 N and particularly preferably a maximum of 100000 N and / or at least 0.1 bar, preferably at least 0.5 bar. A device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening pressure for opening the closure is provided by moving the band while adjusting the inner diameter or by applying pressure to the outside of the adhesive reservoir facing the interior of the sealing sleeve, wherein in particular the adhesive reservoir is made of an elastic material. A device according to claim 4, characterized in that the adhesive reservoir comprises two chambers separated from each other by a partition, and each chamber contains a component of a two-component adhesive, wherein both chambers are operatively connected to the closure and the opening pressure causes the adhesive components to flow from the two chambers through the closure and mix.Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the opening pressure is provided by pressing the sleeve against an inner wall of a channel, in particular by expanding the sealing sleeve. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the adhesive for reliably bonding the locking element has a viscosity range at 20°C in the range of 20,000 mPas to 1,000,000 mPas, preferably from 40,000 mPas to 800,000 mPas or from 50,000 mPas to 500,000 mPas, preferably from 60,000 mPas to 600,000 mPas. Locking device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that. The housing chamber comprises 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 in the chamber, wherein an adhesive reservoir is provided for both locking elements or for each locking element. A locking device according to claim 8, 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. Use of a locking device according to any of the preceding claims for fixing an inner diameter of an adjustable sealing sleeve. Use according to claim 10 in sewer rehabilitation.

Images