Seal for a tri-clamp connection, and tri-clamp connection having such a seal

Abstract

The present invention relates to a seal (34) for a tri-clamp connection (12), wherein the tri-clamp connection (12) comprises a first flange (14) of a first conduit end (10) and a second flange (16) of a second conduit end (11), wherein the seal has a sealing element (36) that can be placed onto a first end face (18) of the first flange (14) or onto a second end face (22) of the second flange (16), wherein the sealing element (36) has a fastening portion (38) for form-fitting connection to the first flange (14) or to the second flange (16).

Description

[0001] Seal for a Triclamp connection and Triclamp connection with such a seal

[0002] The present invention relates to a seal for a Triclamp connection and to a Triclamp connection with such a seal.

[0003] Triclamp connections are used to detachably connect a first line end to a second line end. The line ends to be connected have specially shaped Triclamp flanges, which are connected to one another with a Triclamp clamp. The Triclamp flanges are also referred to as Triclamp connectors, which are particularly designed as standard Triclamp connectors. Standard Triclamp connectors are standardized, for example, in ISO 2852 1993-06 (published in June 1993, since withdrawn) or DIN 31676 in the version valid on the priority date. The standard Triclamp connectors are frequently used, especially in biotechnological and pharmaceutical applications.

[0004] In order to be able to seal the pipe ends together using Triclamp connections, seals are used which are arranged between a first end face of the first Triclamp flange and a second end face of the second Triclamp flange. The Triclamp clamp moves the first Triclamp flange and the second Triclamp flange towards each other, which squeezes the seal and allows it to seal. However, a reliable seal can only be achieved if the seal is positioned exactly in relation to the first end face and the second end face. Depending on the application, the first pipe end is only connected to the second pipe end for a short time, for example if a reactor is to be filled with a starting material which is converted into a product material in the reactor. The Triclamp connection is therefore closed and opened again frequently.It is not uncommon for the first line end to be permanently connected to the reactor and aligned in such a way that closing and opening it requires a certain degree of skill from the operating personnel. When closing the Tri-Clamp connection, the operating personnel need both hands, making it impossible to correct the seal's positioning, should this be necessary. As mentioned, this can lead to incorrect positioning of the seal, resulting in leaks. If the operating personnel detects the incorrect positioning, the closing process must be repeated, which wastes time.

[0005] The object of one embodiment of the present invention is therefore to propose a seal for a Tri-Clamp connection that makes it possible to remedy the above-mentioned disadvantages in a simple and cost-effective manner. In particular, a seal for a Tri-Clamp connection is to be created that can be easily arranged in the correct position relative to the first Tri-Clamp flange or relative to the second Tri-Clamp flange and maintains this position, in particular during the closing of the Tri-Clamp connection.

[0006] This object is achieved with the features specified in claims 1 and 4. Advantageous embodiments are the subject of the dependent claims. One embodiment of the invention relates to a seal for a Triclamp connection, wherein the Triclamp connection comprises a first flange of a first line end and a second flange of a second line end, comprising

[0007] - a sealing body which can be placed on a first end face of the first flange or on a second end face of the second flange, wherein

[0008] - the sealing body has a fastening section for positive connection to the first flange or the second flange.

[0009] According to the proposal, the sealing body has a fastening section with which the seal can be positively connected to the first flange or the second flange, before the first line end is connected to the second line end to form a Triclamp connection. The positive connection can be designed in the manner of a snap or clip connection. The sealing body and in particular the connecting section are made of a material that can be elastically deformed in order to provide the positive connection and to release it again. For this purpose, the sealing body can consist of an elastomer or comprise one.

[0010] Because the sealing body can be positively connected to the first flange or the second flange, the sealing body retains its position relative to the first flange or the second flange once the positive connection is complete. The seal is designed so that the sealing body is in the desired position once the positive connection is complete. This makes closing the Tri-Clamp connection much easier and faster for the operating personnel, and incorrect positioning is avoided.

[0011] According to a further embodiment, the fastening section can have a projection which is used for the positive connection

[0012] - engages in a first recess of the first flange or in a second recess of the second flange or

[0013] - engages behind the first flange or the second flange.

[0014] Providing a recess is a comparatively simple manufacturing process, so that the positive connection can be achieved without any significant additional effort. It is advisable to provide the recess on a circumferential surface of the first flange or the second flange. Alternatively, a projection can be provided on the aforementioned circumferential surface, which engages in a recess in the fastening section.

[0015] If the first flange or the second flange is engaged behind, the first recess and / or the second recess can be omitted.

[0016] In a further developed embodiment, the sealing body

[0017] - a first sealing projection which engages in a first sealing recess arranged on the first end face when the sealing body is positively connected to the first flange, and / or

[0018] - a second sealing projection which engages in a second sealing recess arranged on the second end face when the sealing body is positively connected to the second flange. The first sealing projection and the first sealing recess or the second sealing projection and the second sealing recess, on the one hand, increase the sealing effect of the seal by enlarging the sealing surface, and on the other hand, they contribute to the correct positioning of the seal.

[0019] One embodiment of the invention relates to a Triclamp connection with a first flange of a first line end and a second flange of a second line end, wherein the Triclamp connection is sealed by means of a seal according to one of the previously discussed embodiments.

[0020] The technical effects and advantages that can be achieved with the proposed Tri-Clamp connection correspond to those discussed for the present seal. In summary, it should be noted that it is possible, using comparatively simple means, to arrange the seal in the desired position relative to the first flange or the second flange, maintaining the desired position, particularly when closing the Tri-Clamp connection. This simplifies and accelerates the closing of the Tri-Clamp connection, and reduces the likelihood of incorrect positioning and resulting leaks.

[0021] In a further embodiment, it can be provided that the first flange has a first recess and / or the second flange has a second recess, wherein the projection of the fastening section engages positively in the first recess or in the second recess.

[0022] Providing a recess is a comparatively simple manufacturing process, so that the positive connection can be achieved without any significant additional effort. It is advisable to provide the recess on a circumferential surface of the first flange or the second flange. Alternatively, a projection can be provided on the aforementioned circumferential surface, which engages in a recess in the fastening section.

[0023] An exemplary embodiment of the invention will be explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Figure 1A shows a first line end and a second line end, which can be connected to each other to form a proposed triclamp connection,

[0025] Figure 1B is an enlarged view of the section X defined in Figure 1A,

[0026] Figure IC is an enlarged view of the section Y defined in Figure 1A, and

[0027] Figure ID is a schematic diagram of a Triclamp clamp for forming a Triclamp connection.

[0028] Figure 1 shows a first line end 10 and a second line end 11 which are to be connected to one another to form a Triclamp connection 12. The first line end 10 has a first flange 14 and the second line end 11 has a second flange 16 which are designed in the manner of a Triclamp flange or Triclamp nozzle. The first flange 14 forms a first end face 18 with a first sealing recess 20 (see Figure 1B) and the second flange 16 forms a second end face 22 with a second sealing recess 24 (see Figure 1C). In addition, the first flange 14 has a first circumferential surface 26 on which a first recess 28 is arranged. Correspondingly, the second flange 16 has a second circumferential surface 30 on which a second recess 32 is arranged.

[0029] In addition, a seal 34 is arranged on the first end face 18 (see Figures 1A and 1B). The seal 34 comprises a sealing body 36 with a fastening section 38. The fastening section 38 runs substantially parallel to the first circumferential surface 26 and encloses the same when the seal 34 is arranged on the first end face 18. The fastening section 38 forms a projection 40 which points towards a longitudinal axis L defined by the first line end 10 (see Figure 1A). When the seal 34 is arranged on the first end face 18, the projection 40 engages in the first recess 28 and consequently connects the seal 34 in a form-fitting manner to the first flange 14 of the first line end 10. The seal 34 is positioned as intended with respect to the first line end 10 and no longer changes its position.

[0030] For the positive connection to the first line end 10, the seal 34 is first positioned concentrically to the longitudinal axis L and then moved towards the first flange 14 along the longitudinal axis L. In this case, the fastening section 38 is initially moved slightly radially outwards when the projection 40 comes into contact with the first flange 14 until the projection 40 can engage in the first recess 28. In this case, the fastening section 38 moves back into its original position, whereby the positive connection is provided. As can be seen from Figures 1A and 1B, the first end face 18 of the first line end 10 points downwards. Nevertheless, the seal 34 can be connected to the first line end 10 without it falling off.

[0031] The seal 34 can also be connected to the second flange 16 of the second line end 11 in an analogous manner. However, since the fastening section 38 only has one projection 40, a decision must be made as to whether the seal 34 should first be connected to the first flange 14 of the first line end 10 or to the second flange 16 of the second line end 11 before the Tri-Clamp connection 12 is formed. This means that it is not necessary to provide both the first flange 14 with the first recess 28 and the second flange 16 with the second recess 32. One of the two recesses 28, 32 is sufficient.

[0032] Furthermore, it can be seen in particular from Figure 1B that the sealing body 36 has a first sealing projection 46 which projects into the already mentioned first sealing recess 20. Furthermore, the sealing body 36 has a second sealing projection 48 which, when the Tri-Clamp connection 12 is formed, engages in the one sealing recess 24 of the second flange 16 (see Figure 1C).

[0033] Not shown is an embodiment in which the fastening section 38, for example, engages behind the first flange 14. For this purpose, the projection 40 can be arranged at the free end of the fastening section 38 and come into contact with a first inclined surface 42 of the first flange 14 when the seal 34 is arranged on the first end face 18. To close the Tri-Clamp connection 12, the second line end 11 is first positioned concentrically to the longitudinal axis L and then moved along the longitudinal axis L towards the first line end 10 until the second end face 22 comes into contact with the seal 34. The second sealing projection 48 then engages in the second sealing recess 24 (not shown). Now, a Triclamp clamp 44 shown in Figure ID is placed around the first flange 14 and the second flange 16 and tightened with a locking device (not shown), which may comprise a screw connection.As a result, the Triclamp clamp 44 is moved radially inward, at least in sections, resulting in an axial relative movement of the first line end 10 and the second line end toward each other. The seal 34 is consequently squeezed and exerts its sealing effect.

[0034] To release the Triclamp connection 12, proceed in reverse order.

[0035] Reference symbol list

[0036] 10 first line end

[0037] 11 second line end

[0038] 12 Triclamp connection

[0039] 14 first flange

[0040] 16 second flange

[0041] 18 first frontal surface

[0042] 20 first sealing recess

[0043] 22 second front face

[0044] 24 second sealing recess

[0045] 26 first circumferential area

[0046] 28 first recess

[0047] 30 second circumferential area

[0048] 32 second recess

[0049] 34 Seal

[0050] 36 sealing bodies

[0051] 38 fastening section

[0052] 40 lead

[0053] 42 first inclined surface

[0054] 44 Triclamp clamp

[0055] 46 first sealing projection

[0056] 48 second sealing projection

[0057] L Longitudinal axis

Claims

Protection claims 1. Seal (34) for a Triclamp connection (12), wherein the Triclamp connection (12) comprises a first flange (14) of a first line end (10) and a second flange (16) of a second line end (11), comprising - a sealing body (36) which can be placed on a first end face (18) of the first flange (14) or on a second end face (22) of the second flange (16), wherein - the sealing body (36) has a fastening section (38) for positive connection to the first flange (14) or the second flange (16).

2. Seal (34) according to claim 1, characterized in that the fastening section (38) has a projection (40) which is used for the positive connection - engages in a first recess (28) of the first flange (14) or in a second recess (32) of the second flange (16) or - engages behind the first flange (14) or the second flange (16).

3. Seal (34) according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the sealing body (36) - a first sealing projection (46) which engages in a first sealing recess (20) arranged on the first end face (18) when the sealing body (36) is positively connected to the first flange (14), and / or - a second sealing projection (48) which engages in a second sealing recess arranged on the second end face (22). recess (24) engages when the sealing body (36) is positively connected to the second flange (16).

4. Triclamp connection (12) with a first flange (14) of a first line end (10) and a second flange (16) of a second line end (11), wherein the Triclamp connection (12) is sealed by means of a seal (34) according to one of claims 1 to 3.

5. Tricamp connection according to claim 4, characterized in that the first flange (14) has a first recess (28) and / or the second flange (16) has a second recess (32), wherein the projection (40) of the fastening section (38) fits positively into the first Recess (28) or engages in the second recess (32).

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