Lubrication system

Abstract

1. A lubrication system 2. A lubrication system consists of a plurality of operationally individually interconnected valve components, characterized in that the valve components are combined in mutually different functional blocks (10, 12, 14, 16) that make up the lubrication system as a whole, when selectively coupled to each other in series.

Description

[0001] lubrication system

[0002] The invention relates to a lubrication system consisting of a plurality of individual, operatively interconnected valve components. A disruption of the lubricating film within machine elements can lead to serious damage to the machine itself and, in addition, to production downtime. Therefore, recirculating lubrication systems generally ensure that bearings, gears, etc., for example in turbines, process compressors, and process pumps, are adequately supplied with lubricating oil. The lubricating oil transports heat and particles from the lubricated machine parts. This oil is then cooled and filtered accordingly in the lubrication system.

[0003] The intellectual property rights holder offers many types of lubricating oil systems in different configurations and sizes (Hydac brochure DE 10.165.1 / 06.21 entitled "Components, Systems and Service for Rotating Equipment"). In addition to an oil reservoir, these systems also feature optical oil level indicators, filter elements for filtering the lubricating oil, optical pressure and temperature indicators, control valves, bypass valves for a cooling circuit, and a pressure supply pump for the lubricating oil, which is driven by an electric motor. This can be supplemented by a variety of other components, such as heating and cooling devices, additional valves, and suitable sensors.All fluid-carrying components are then connected to one another in a meaningful way via appropriate piping, which transports the respective lubricant or lubricating oil to distribution points of the lubrication system for a connectable machine to be supplied with its components to be lubricated. The corresponding piping is manufactured using conventional welding processes, which involves considerable effort and is reflected in the manufacturing costs of such lubrication systems.

[0004] Based on this prior art, the invention seeks to further improve the known lubrication systems while retaining their advantages and reducing their manufacturing costs. This object is achieved by a lubrication system having the features of patent claim 1 in its entirety.

[0005] Because, according to the characterizing part of patent claim 1, the valve components are combined into different functional blocks which, when connected in series and optionally coupled to one another, form the lubrication system as a whole, the piping in the known lubrication systems can be dispensed with to a relevant extent by directly arranging the functional blocks containing the individual valves in a row and thus designing the lubrication system as a whole.

[0006] In this way, all valves are compactly grouped together in a cost-saving, simplified manner. The system appears more streamlined overall, and the valve technology and sensors are more easily accessible, resulting in increased ease of maintenance. Since piping with its welded joints can be largely eliminated, malfunctions that pose a risk of damage to exposed piping, for example, due to the failure of individual welded joints, are also avoided.

[0007] Due to the design with functional blocks that can be combined in series and contain the individual valve components, extremely large volume flows of lubricating oil at low pressures can be safely controlled within the scope of the lubricating oil supply.

[0008] In a preferred embodiment of the lubrication system according to the invention, at least some of the functional blocks have at least one logic valve. This allows a multitude of the functions to be implemented within the lubrication system to be implemented with only one type of valve, the logic valve, which helps save costs. Furthermore, logic valves have the advantage of having very low pressure losses during operation, so that hardly any significant pressure losses occur during operation of the lubrication system.

[0009] In a particularly preferred embodiment of the lubrication system according to the invention, it is provided that the functional blocks to be combined with each other are each

[0010] Pressure protection of a pressure supply device

[0011] Check valve

[0012] Temperature mixing valve

[0013] Serve as a pressure relief valve. In this way, the logic valves mentioned can be used, in particular, as check, safety, and control valves. The block modules mentioned above, as functional blocks in which the respective valves are used, are preferably of identical construction. In this way, many identical parts can be used, which can also increase the production volume at low cost if necessary. Furthermore, only individual functions need to be implemented. The pressure relief valve either opens only in an emergency when a pressure greater than the design pressure threatens to build up, or it opens when both the standby and main pumps are running, thus delivering 100% more volume flow than is actually required. In both cases, the oil to be drained is fed directly back into the tank.

[0014] The check valve mentioned above prevents lubricating oil from flowing unintentionally from the discharge side of the pressure relief device back towards the pressure supply device, which would otherwise cause operational disruptions.

[0015] Thanks to the temperature mixing valve mentioned above, the lubricating oil can be cooled or regulated to the desired preset flow temperature at elevated temperatures using either a plate heat exchanger or an air cooler. In addition to cooling, it is also possible to heat the lubricating oil using a suitable heater if necessary.

[0016] A pressure relief valve can be used on the discharge side to regulate the pressure through which the lubricating oil supplied by the lubrication system is delivered to the respective consumer, such as bearings or gears as machine elements of a machine or machine system. Lubrication systems are generally designed such that the respective hydraulic pump, as part of the pressure supply system, delivers slightly more flow than necessary. The pressure relief valve can then direct 5 to 20% of the lubricating oil back to the lubrication system's storage tank as a leakage oil flow.In a particularly preferred embodiment of the lubrication system according to the invention, it is provided that, forming a hierarchy within the supply device, the function block with the pressure protection is arranged one behind the other in series, followed by the function block designed as a check valve and / or the function block designed as a temperature mixing valve and / or the function block designed as a pressure relief valve and the lubrication point distributor. In this way, a lubrication system is obtained that largely meets all practical requirements, although not all function blocks are always necessary for a functioning lubrication system. In particular, a function block designed as a temperature mixing valve can be dispensed with if the temperature is regulated, for example, by changing the speed of the fan on an air cooler.

[0017] It is particularly preferred that the pressure supply device for a redundant pressure supply to the lubrication points has at least two drivable constant displacement pumps, which feed fluid at a predeterminable pressure into a supply line each, enabling the fluid supply to each functional block used. In the event of any pump damage to a hydraulic pump, a second hydraulic pump can be put into operation as a backup pump. Furthermore, if necessary, the pump volume flow can be almost doubled, at least temporarily, by using both pumps. In principle, however, the consumer to be lubricated actually only ever needs a specific quantity of lubricant with a predefined supply pressure, for which both pumps can then provide equally, and not an arbitrarily high quantity of lubricant.Another operating mode can be seen in the use of a second pump as an auxiliary pump, where the temporary activation of an auxiliary pump assists in starting up the lubrication system. In this regard, it can also be provided that one hydraulic pump has a slightly smaller displacement than the other pump, which in this respect serves as the main pump. If an excess pump flow occurs, for example, because both fixed-displacement pumps are equally delivering too much lubricating oil, unused fluid can flow out of the tank both in the area of ​​the pressure relief valve of the pressure supply device and with the pressure relief valve before the lubricant is released.

[0018] In a further preferred embodiment of the lubrication system according to the invention, it is provided that the function block for the pressure protection in relation to a supply line has at least one

[0019] - spring-loaded logic valve and

[0020] Pilot valve. In this way, the pilot valve not only provides pressure limitation as a pressure protection, but also controls the logic valve accordingly.

[0021] In a further preferred embodiment of the lubrication system according to the invention, the functional block is designed as a check valve and has at least one logic valve related to a supply line, which moves into its closed position due to gravity. Because the logic valve in question moves into its closed position due to gravity as the actual check function, the logic valve in question is controlled by the lubricating oil flow and moves into its closed position due to gravity when the fluid flow ceases, without any additional energy input. In a further preferred embodiment of the lubrication system according to the invention, the functional block is designed as a temperature mixing valve and has at least one fluid connection to a heat exchanger for one or both supply lines. In this way, a cooling and / or heating process for the lubricating oil to be pumped can be triggered via the temperature mixing valve.

[0022] Preferably, the function block designed as a pressure relief valve is provided in the same way as the function block for the pressure protection of the respective constant pump, so that redundant pressure protection of the supply circuit is achieved.

[0023] Additional, upward-facing connections on the system are provided for the attachment of sensors. These sensors are often separated from the system via so-called connection blocks. This allows them to be shut off and depressurized, as well as replaced during operation. Temperature sensors can be used as sensors, with the respective thermometer acting as a sensor being directly exposed to the oil flow.

[0024] Preferably, it is further provided that a filter is connected within the lubrication system, upstream of the final pressure relief valve in the fluid flow direction, which cleans the lubricating oil of any particulate contamination. So-called switchable filters can also be provided in this way, so that if one filter element becomes clogged or blocked by contamination, further filtration can be carried out with the other filter element, while the blocked element can then be replaced with a new one.

[0025] The lubrication system according to the invention is explained in more detail below using an exemplary embodiment shown in the drawing, wherein the single figure, in the form of a hydraulic circuit diagram, shows the essential components of the lubrication system as a whole. The figure relates to a lubrication system consisting of a plurality of individual, operatively connected valve components. The valve components are combined in the form of different functional blocks 10, 12, 14, 16, which, when connected in series and optionally coupled to one another, form the lubrication system as a whole.

[0026] At least some of the functional blocks 10, 12, 14, 16 have a logic valve 18.

[0027] The first functional block 10 serves to protect the pressure of a pressure supply device, designated as a whole by 20. The second functional block 12 performs a check valve function, and the third block 14 has a temperature mixing valve 22. The further functional block 16, arranged in ascending order, in turn serves as a pressure relief valve. The functional blocks 10, 12, 14, 16 are constructed from cuboid valve housings that are sealed against one another with adjacent end walls, contrary to the illustration in the figure. The piping shown in the figure between the individual functional blocks 10, 12, 14, 16 therefore does not exist in this form or is an integral part of the respective cuboid valve housing, which can also be cube-shaped. A connection block 24 as a whole is provided with sensors 44 for pressure and / or temperature.

[0028] As can be further seen from the figure, forming a hierarchy within the supply system shown, the functional block 12 is designed as a check valve, the functional block 14 is designed as a temperature mixing valve 22, the functional block 16 is designed as a pressure relief valve, and the connection block 24 with the sensors 44 is arranged one behind the other, forming a hierarchy within the illustrated supply device. If temperature control of the lubricant, usually in the form of lubricating oil, is not necessary, the third functional block 14, designed as a temperature mixing valve 22, can also be omitted.

[0029] The pressure supply device has, in particular for a redundant pressure supply, two drivable fixed-displacement pumps 26, 28, which can be driven in the usual way by a motor M, such as an electric motor. According to the supply concept shown in the figure, the fixed-displacement pump 26 shown on the left is intended to represent the main supply pump, and the fixed-displacement pump 28 shown on the right is intended to represent the auxiliary or emergency pump.

[0030] Both fixed-displacement pumps 26, 28 each supply fluid at a preset pressure from a storage tank 30, which may also consist of multiple components, into a supply line 32 or 34, respectively, which enables the fluid supply to each functional block 10, 12, 14, 16 used. Such lubrication systems operate with very low supply pressures, for example, in the range of 2 to 15 bar, while simultaneously achieving very high flow rates of up to 4,000 l / min and more.

[0031] As can be seen further, the function block 10 has a spring-loaded logic valve 18 for pressure protection for each supply line 32, 34, which interacts with a pilot valve 36 in the manner of a pressure relief valve. If the pressure at the logic valve 18 of the function block 10 is too high in the respective supply line 32, 34; in particular, if the pressure is above a threshold value that can be specified by means of the pilot valve 36, the logic valve 18 opens, usually in the form of a compression spring, against the action of the energy accumulator acting on its valve piston opposite it, and excess fluid is returned to the storage tank 30 via a return line 36. Viewed in the direction of the Eigur, a shut-off and drain block 38 with a pressure gauge as a pressure indicator is provided below the function block 10 for each supply line 32, 34.

[0032] Following in the upward sequence, the function block 12 is again provided with two logic valves 18, each for a supply line 32, 34. The respective logic valves 18 are controlled purely by fluid pressure, so that an additional compression spring on the back of the valve piston is not required; rather, the respective valve 18 closes due to gravity when the fluid pressure at the inlet of the respective logic valve 18 is no longer sufficient to establish the fluid supply to the next function block 14 with the temperature mixing valve 22. It is understood that for the gravity-dependent control of the valve piston, it moves in a vertical direction in the logic valve housing, contrary to the simplified representation in the figure. Accordingly, the respective logic valve 18 is designed as a check valve.

[0033] The subsequent functional block 14 is designed as a temperature mixing valve 22, without an additional logic valve, and both supply lines 32, 34 flow from the output side of the functional block 12 onto the input side of the temperature mixing valve 22. A conventional heat exchanger 40 is provided in parallel with this mixing valve 22, which can be switched on in parallel via the mixing valve 22 at elevated temperatures. The fluid, thus tempered in the form of lubricant, reaches the input side of the fourth functional block 16 via a conventional lubricant or hydraulic filter 42. However, if the pumped fluid has the correct temperature, the mixing valve is controlled, bypassing the heat exchanger 40, such that the output-side fluid of the second functional block 12 reaches the input side of the filter 42. The heat exchanger 40 can be designed as a cooling and / or heating device.An outlet V is provided in the fluid supply between heat exchanger 40 and the connection points for the valve blocks 1.14, 1.16 and 1.18 for optional sensors 44 for pressure and / or temperature, which leads to a connectable consumer (not shown) that is to be supplied with lubricant from the system shown.

[0034] The fourth function block 16, which serves for pressure protection, is constructed like the pressure protection of the function block 10 with spring-loaded logic valve 18 and pilot valve 36.

[0035] Accordingly, viewed in the direction of the figure, outlet V is located on the left as the transition point to the consumer or the unit to be lubricated. In front of the left outlet V to the machine parts to be lubricated, holes are provided which lead to the block-like connection points 1.14, 1.16 and 1.18 for installing various sensors 44 for pressure, temperature or in the form of a water content sensor. In systems of this type, individual shut-off and vent valve blocks 1.14, 1.16, 1.18 are installed between sensors 44 or a connection so that the respective sensor 44 can be replaced even while the system is running. A thermometer 46, also in the form of a temperature sensor, arranged in the inlet to the delivery points can be used to monitor the temperature of the supply fluid flow.In particular, the last function block 16, via the pilot control by means of the further pilot valve 36, enables a constant delivery of lubricant at a predeterminable low pressure value of, for example, 5 bar. In this respect, the pressure relief valve located at the end of the series in the form of function block 16 is used for pressure regulation in such a way that it is not the flow to the consumer that is controlled as part of the lubrication point distribution, but rather the leakage flow, which is returned to the storage tank 30 via an additional return line 48. Furthermore, any excess pump volume flow can be discharged to the tank 30 via both the function block 10 and the function block 16 via the return lines 34 and 48, respectively. The logic valves 18 used have only very small pressure losses.

[0036] For a nominal size NG 25 of, for example, < 450 l / min, the pressure losses of these valves 18 remain < 2.5 bar. It is surprising to a person skilled in the art that with just one valve type, here the logic valve 18, three different functions can be fulfilled within the framework of function blocks 10, 12, and 16. This identical part production can be used in manufacturing practice to maximize Eos sizes.

[0037] By arranging functional blocks 10, 12, 14, and 16, it has been shown that the previous number of welds required during piping construction can be reduced by at least half, for example, to only 25 welds instead of 50. Thanks to the modular design, it is possible to configure a lubrication system individually for use on-site, depending on customer requirements.

Claims

Patent claims 1 . Lubrication system, consisting of a plurality of individual valve components operatively connected to one another, characterized in that the valve components are combined into different functional blocks (10, 12, 14, 16) which, when coupled together in series, optionally form the lubrication system as a whole.

2. Lubrication system according to claim 1, characterized in that at least some of the functional blocks (10, 12, 14, 16) have at least one logic valve (18).

3. Lubrication system according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the functional blocks (10, 12, 14, 16) to be combined with one another are each designed as Pressure protection of a pressure supply device (20) check valve Temperature mixing valve (22) pressure relief valve.

4. Lubrication system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that, forming a hierarchy within the supply device, the function block (12) designed as a check valve and / or the function block (14) designed as a temperature mixing valve (22) and / or the function block (16) designed as a pressure relief valve and the connection block (24) for sensors (44) follow one behind the other on the function block (10) with the pressure protection.

5. Lubrication system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pressure supply device (20) for a redundant pressure supply of the connection block (24) for sensors (44) and lubrication point delivery has at least two drivable constant pumps (26, 28) which feed fluid at a predeterminable pressure into a respective supply line (32, 34) which controls the fluid supply for each functional block (10, 12, 14, 16).

6. Lubrication system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the function block for the pressure protection with respect to a supply line comprises at least one - spring-loaded logic valve (18) and pilot valve (36).

7. Lubrication system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional block (12) is designed as a check valve and has at least one logic valve (18) in relation to a supply line (32, 34) which moves into its closed position due to gravity.

8. Lubrication system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional block (14) designed as a temperature mixing valve (22) has at least one fluid connection to a heat exchanger (40) for one or both supply lines (32, 34). Lubrication system according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the functional block (16) is designed as a pressure relief valve, just as the functional block (10) is provided for the pressure protection of the respective constant pump (26, 28).

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