Curing device with fan and dissipating element

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for curing a cladding hose using high-energy radiation, comprising at least one support device and at least one radiation source arranged on the support device. The invention is characterized in that the support element is at least partly produced in the form of a hollow body, wherein the radiation source is arranged on the outer face of the hollow body section, and at least one fan is provided which generates an air flow through the hollow body section such that waste heat is dissipated from the radiation source arranged on the outer face of the hollow body section through the hollow body section.

Description

Curing device with fan and deflection element

[0001] The present invention relates to a device for curing a lining tube with high-energy radiation, comprising LEDs as a radiation source for generating the radiation necessary for curing, a fan for cooling the LEDs and at least one deflection element for directing the air flows.

[0002] In the prior art, methods are known for rehabilitating pipe systems, such as sewers and similar pipe systems, by inserting a flexible, curable layer impregnated with a hardenable resin, known as a lining tube or liner, into the pipe system. After insertion, the lining tube is expanded so that it fits snugly against the inner wall of the pipe system. The resin is then cured.

[0003] The production of such a lining tube is described, for example, in WO 95 / 04646. Curable resins used according to known processes are preferably unsaturated polyester resins, vinyl ester resins, or epoxy resins, which can be dissolved, for example, in styrene and / or an acrylic ester.

[0004] These unsaturated polyester or vinyl esters can be cured thermally (usually using peroxide catalysts) or by radiation, e.g., by UV light with photoinitiators, as described, for example, in EP-A 23623. So-called combination cures, using a peroxide initiator used for thermal curing in combination with photoinitiators, are also possible and have proven particularly advantageous for lining tubes with thick walls. One process for this type of combination curing is described, for example, in EP-A 1262708.

[0005] A radiation-curing lining tube typically has an opaque outer protective film, a film that is at least It consists of an inner film that is permeable to wavelengths of electromagnetic radiation, and a resin-impregnated curable layer positioned between the inner film and the outer film. The outer film tube is designed to prevent the resin used for impregnation from escaping from the curable layer and entering the environment. This requires a good seal and connection between the outer film tube and the resin-impregnated curable layer.

[0006] To cure the lining tube, a curing device is inserted into the lining tube. This device contains a radiation source and is guided through the lining tube to activate or initiate the curing of the curable layers of the lining tube using the radiation energy. Complete curing of the lining tube is of utmost importance, meaning a specific amount of radiation energy must be introduced into each point of the lining tube. The amount of radiation energy depends on the power output of the radiation sources and the speed at which they are passed through the lining tube.

[0007] UV radiation sources, also known as UV lamps, are often used to provide radiant energy. These are mounted on pullable devices, called light trains, which are pulled through the pipes lined with the lining tube using cables or pull ropes.

[0008] To date, gas discharge lamps have been predominantly used, but these have several disadvantages, including high currents and voltages for ignition, varying power output over the lifetime and the risk of failure during curing.

[0009] To overcome these disadvantages of UV lamps, LEDs are increasingly being used. These offer a number of advantages over UV lamps, including higher energy efficiency and a longer lifespan of up to 50,000 hours compared to 5,000 to 10,000 hours for UV lamps. LEDs also do not contain harmful chemicals such as mercury.

[0010] However, one problem that has proven to be problematic when using LEDs is that they heat up considerably during the irradiation process, which can lead to a reduction in power output or even damage.

[0011] Various methods are known from the state of the art which aim at improved heat dissipation when using LEDs to cure a lining tube with high-energy radiation.

[0012] The underlying problem with cooling LEDs on string lights is that cooling with heat dissipation outside the liner tube using long coolant hoses (e.g., EP1959183A1) is generally difficult to make economically viable. During curing, the ambient air inside the liner tube heats up due to the fan expanding the liner tube, the radiant energy emitted by the LEDs and their waste heat, and the exothermic curing reaction.

[0013] A solution proposed in the prior art, which has been filed in several variations (e.g. EP3321554B1), relates to a radial arrangement of LEDs with inwardly oriented heat sinks, wherein a volume flow is generated inside by a fan which is intended to cool the LEDs.

[0014] The second approach described in the prior art involves passing (liquid) coolant. A solution for this is described in US Pat. No. 11,131,418 B2. Devices with various coolant channels are described, which are intended to cool LEDs during the curing of a liner.

[0015] Another variant is described, for example, in WO2018188698A1, in which the LEDs are completely immersed in coolant, which rotates as a relatively large volume flow. The entire assembly is housed in a transparent housing through which the coolant flows.

[0016] However, these proposed solutions have the disadvantage that the required devices require excessive space, are not very flexible in their design or have an unsatisfactory cooling performance for the purpose.

[0017] Therefore, the object of the present invention was to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art and in particular to provide a device which is compact, has a flexible structure and has a sufficient cooling capacity.

[0018] This object is achieved by a device for curing a lining hose with high-energy radiation, comprising at least one carrier device and at least one radiation source arranged on the carrier device, wherein the carrier element is designed at least in sections as a hollow body, wherein the radiation source is arranged on the outside of the hollow body section, and wherein at least one fan is included which generates an air flow through the hollow body section, so that waste heat from the radiation source arranged on the outside of the hollow body section is dissipated through the hollow body section.

[0019] The support element functions both as a support for the radiation source and as its heat conductor, dissipating the heat energy emitted by the radiation source through conduction. To achieve this, the support element has a lower temperature than the radiation source and is in direct contact with it, if possible.

[0020] The heat generated by the radiation source is conducted through the heat sink, which is usually made of a material with high thermal conductivity, and then dissipated through the heat sink arranged on the inner surface of the carrier element or directly into the surrounding air.

[0021] An important factor in conduction cooling of the radiation source is the boundary layer between the radiation source and the heat sink. This layer should be as thin as possible to minimize heat transfer. to maximize cooling. A thick boundary layer can cause heat to build up and impair cooling effectiveness.

[0022] It's also important to ensure the heat sink is large enough to dissipate heat effectively. The larger the radiation source and the amount of heat generated, the larger the heat sink should be.

[0023] It has proven advantageous if the at least one fan is designed as an axial fan, in particular is arranged on the rear surface of the at least one support element and is designed and configured to convey a cooling medium through the cavity of the device for generating high-energy radiation.

[0024] An axial fan is an electrical device that is used to move air by sucking or pushing it through the housing in an axial direction along the axis of the rotor and then expelling it.

[0025] The housing of the axial fan contains a cylindrical rotor consisting of a central hub and several rotating fan blades. These fan blades are aerodynamically shaped and, through their rotation, generate an airflow that ultimately flows through the fan housing.

[0026] In principle, the cooling medium can be a liquid or a gas that is used in the system to transport heat away from the LEDs or heat sinks and protect them from overheating.

[0027] The preferred cooling medium is air, which can be the ambient air in the channel to be renovated or supplied from outside, for example by a fan.

[0028] Air cooling has the particular advantage of being cost-effective compared to other cooling systems such as liquid cooling or thermoelectric cooling. Air cooling systems are also generally easy to install and maintain, as they do not require complicated piping or pumps, and are therefore more flexible than other cooling systems. Air cooling systems are also more environmentally friendly than other cooling systems, as they do not use toxic Contain coolants and have no undesirable effects on the environment.

[0029] The axial fan is specifically designed to suck in the cooling medium from the environment and to convey it through the cavity of the device for generating high-energy radiation, whereby the cooling medium comes into contact with the heat sink located there and from there dissipates the heat of the LEDs.

[0030] The cavity of the at least one carrier element is delimited by the inner surfaces of the at least one carrier element and is prismatic and in particular square in shape.

[0031] A prismatic cavity is a space shaped like a prism, i.e., a solid with a preferably open base, which is a polygon, and parallel side surfaces extending perpendicular to the base. A square cavity is a cavity with a square, preferably open base, surrounded by parallel side surfaces.

[0032] In principle, the shape of the cavity is not limited to a polygonal, preferably open, base area, but could also be a circle or something similar.

[0033] The at least one heat sink covers the inner surface of the carrier element at least partially and is in particular formed as a finned heat sink tapering towards the center of the cavity.

[0034] A finned heatsink has many narrow fins arranged parallel to each other. Air flows through the narrow gaps between the fins, dissipating heat from the surface of the heatsink. The fins are aligned parallel to the flow direction of the cooling medium.

[0035] The at least one heat sink can also be designed as a pin heat sink. A pin heat sink has many cylindrical pins arranged perpendicular to the inner surface of the support element. The pins increase the surface area of ​​the heat sink to improve heat dissipation. Pin heat sinks are particularly well suited for use in tight spaces. rooms because they require little space due to their compact design.

[0036] The at least one heat sink can also be designed as a finger heat sink. A finger heat sink has many finger-shaped fins arranged perpendicular to the surface of the heat sink. The finger-shaped fins usually have an irregular shape to improve heat dissipation.

[0037] The at least one heat sink can also be formed as a U-shaped heat sink. This type of heat sink has a U-shaped structure that helps improve heat dissipation, with both ends of the U-shaped structure attached to a surface to be cooled. Heat is dissipated from the surface of the heat sink through the fins, while the U-shape ensures better airflow.

[0038] The at least one heat sink can also be shaped as a curved heat sink. This type of heat sink has curved fins that help improve heat dissipation. The curved shape extends the contact time of the cooling medium with the surface of the heat sink and simultaneously increases its surface area.

[0039] The at least one support element is further defined by the outer surface and is prismatic and, in particular, octagonal in shape, comprising four corner surfaces and four side surfaces, with the side surfaces being higher than the corner surfaces. The corner surfaces represent the surfaces created by capping the tips of a square base body.

[0040] The at least one support element, as well as other components of the device according to the invention, consists of aluminum or an aluminum alloy. Particularly preferred is the use of an aluminum alloy such as EN AW 6082 / AIMgSil, EN AW 5754 / AIMg3 or EN AW 2007 / AICuMgPb. These alloys are characterized by high strength and corrosion resistance and are used for applications where high strength at At the same time, low weight and good weldability are required. Furthermore, the use of steel, in particular galvanized steel, or other materials for the support element and the other components of the device according to the invention can also be provided.

[0041] The at least one radiation source is designed and configured to emit radiation with a wavelength of 200-500 nm and in particular of 390-420 nm.

[0042] The radiation device preferably comprises n radiation sources, where n > 6, so that at least one radiation source is mounted on each side of the outer surface of the support element. The number of radiation sources is determined in particular such that they can simultaneously irradiate the entire circumference of the lining tube.

[0043] In this case, at least one radiation source is in particular an LED.

[0044] The LED (light emitting diode) is preferably designed to emit light in the range of 200 to 500 nanometers and in particular of 390-420 nm, wherein it is particularly advantageous if the LEDs have a radiation angle of preferably 110° to 170° and particularly preferably one of 130° to 150°.

[0045] The beam angle of an LED describes the area in which the light is emitted by the LED. It is the angle between the two points where the luminous intensity drops to 50% of its maximum.

[0046] In particular, the arrangement of the LEDs is designed so that their radiation angles overlap. It is particularly preferred if the overlap is such that a threshold light intensity is not exceeded and / or shadows caused by other components of the device are prevented.

[0047] The at least one device for generating high-energy radiation is of modular construction and the carrier element comprises n, where n=1, 3, 4, 5...etc., where n is particularly preferably three, carrier units which are connected to one another via connecting pieces.

[0048] The at least one support element has a length of preferably 900-1100 mm and particularly preferably a length of one meter and the support units have a length preferably of 25-31 mm.

[0049] In a further embodiment, the at least one device for generating and / or the carrier element and / or the carrier units can be arranged rotatably, so that they can be rotated about the axis of the device according to the invention, in particular during the irradiation process, in order to achieve uniform radiation of the lining tube even if one or more LEDs fail.

[0050] However, depending on local conditions, it may also be advantageous to irradiate shorter or longer pieces of a lining tube.

[0051] Preferably, the device comprises at least one joint device.

[0052] A joint device is a structure that allows two or more components of the device for curing a lining sleeve with high-energy radiation to move relative to each other. The joint device is designed and configured as a rotary joint, ball joint, cardan shaft, swivel joint, or universal joint.

[0053] The at least one support device comprises at least four length-adjustable guide arms with rollers, wherein the at least four length-adjustable guide arms are arranged in particular at right angles to one another.

[0054] The guide arms serve to guide and position the device in the liner. The length and alignment of the individual arms or all arms together can be adapted to the requirements of local conditions. In particular, the length is adjusted so that the rollers, which preferably consist of a cylindrical body rotating around an axis, rest against this during the curing of the liner. The length is adjusted by moving, folding or turning parts of the arm in particular.

[0055] The at least one deflection device is designed and configured to deflect the heated cooling air conveyed by the fans laterally to the conveying direction after contact with the at least one heat sink, wherein a deflection plate is included which is arranged at an angle of other than 90°, 180°, 270° and 360° to the conveying direction of the cooling air.

[0056] The airflow direction is the direction in which the fan moves the cooling air. The deflector plate is supported by a rod, which is open on at least one side, allowing the heated cooling air to escape after contact with at least one of these sides. The deflector plate is made of an aluminum alloy, as this is lightweight and less susceptible to corrosion compared to other materials.

[0057] The deflection device can be designed and arranged to be rotatable about the longitudinal axis of the device so that the heated cooling air can heat the entire circumference of the lining tube.

[0058] The connecting piece of the device comprises a spacer and a connecting piece.

[0059] The spacer is designed and configured to separate the connecting piece from another component of the device for curing a lining sleeve with high-energy radiation. The spacer is preferably a rod that is open at the sides. The connecting piece is designed and configured in particular

[0060] The device for curing a lining tube with high-energy radiation can preferably be of modular design. This means that the device consists of various independent individual modules such as the device for generating high-energy radiation, the carrier device, the The deflection device and the connecting piece are assembled, with each module fulfilling a specific function and being designed and configured to be easily integrated into the overall device. Various combinations of the number and sequence of the individual modules can be realized, allowing the device to be adapted to local conditions.

[0061] In a particularly preferred embodiment, the device comprises a connecting piece which is connected to the fan of a first radiation device via the spacer, and the front surface of the first radiation device is further connected to a first deflection device via a support device, which in turn is connected to the fan of a second radiation device, and which is further connected to a second deflection device via the front surface of the second radiation device, which in turn is connected to the fan of a third radiation device, and which is further connected to a third deflection device via the front surface of the third radiation device, which is connected to the fan of a fourth radiation device via a second support device.

[0062] Preferably, the at least four radiation devices are arranged offset by 45° from one another.

[0063] The at least four length-adjustable guide arms of the at least two support devices are preferably offset by 45° to each other.

[0064] The at least three deflection devices are offset from each other by 45°.

[0065] The invention is preferably used for curing resin-impregnated lining hoses,

[0066] In particular, the device is designed and configured to cure a lining tube with a diameter of 259 mm in pipes of nominal diameter DN 300 and a lining tube with a diameter of 389 mm in pipes of nominal diameter DN 450. So that the light curing technique can also be used in small pipelines, such as pipelines with a diameter between 30 and 500 mm or even larger or 30-300 mm, preferably 30-150 mm, such as 100- 200 mm.

[0067] Below, embodiments of the device for curing a lining tube with high-energy radiation are explained by way of example with reference to the figures. Shown are:

[0068] Figure 1: a perspective view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention; and Figure 2: a sectional view of the device from Figure 1.

[0069] Figure 1 shows an embodiment of a device for curing a lining tube with high-energy radiation 1, comprising a support device 2. Deflection devices 3 deflect the air flow, which is guided through the interior of the device to cool the LEDs 4. The air flow itself is generated by fans (not shown). Connection of multiple devices 1 is possible using connectors 5.

[0070] The essential idea of ​​the invention is evident in Figure 1, namely that the heat from the LEDs 4 is dissipated inward by heat sinks arranged inside the device, which are exposed to an airflow by a fan (not shown). To prevent the generated waste heat airflow from simply being passed from LED section to LED section, it is deflected by the deflection devices 3, and the waste heat is distributed in the duct. The next fan then does not draw in the particularly warmed waste heat airflow from the preceding fan, thus achieving a significantly higher cooling performance.

[0071] Figure 2 shows a section through the device 1 with the internal heat sinks 6 and a fan 7.

Claims

Patent claims 1. A device for curing a lining hose with high-energy radiation, comprising at least one carrier device and at least one radiation source arranged on the carrier device, characterized in that the carrier element is designed as a hollow body at least in sections, wherein the radiation source is arranged on the outside of the hollow body section, and wherein at least one fan is included which generates an air flow through the hollow body section, so that waste heat from the radiation source arranged on the outside of the hollow body section is dissipated through the hollow body section.

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner side or the inner sides of the hollow body section of the carrier element form a heat sink, and in particular are formed as a finned heat sink tapering towards the center of the cavity.

3. Device according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized in that the at least one radiation source comprises at least one LED, preferably forming a collection / field (array) of LEDs.

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one support device comprises at least four length-adjustable guide arms with rollers, wherein the at least four length-adjustable guide arms are arranged in particular at right angles to one another.

5. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one deflection device is included, which is designed and arranged to deflect the air conveyed by the fan laterally to the conveying direction after passing through the hollow body section.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the deflection device is designed in the form of a deflection plate which is arranged at an angle of other than 90°, 180°, 270° and 360° to the conveying direction of the cooling air.

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the carrier element comprises at least two sections, each of which is connected to one another by an end piece, wherein the connecting piece comprises a spacer and a connecting piece.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising the deflection device arranged on or in the region of the connecting piece, wherein in particular each connecting piece comprises a deflection device.

9. Device according to claim 8, characterized in that the deflection devices of each two successively arranged connecting pieces are arranged offset from one another at an angle, in particular offset by an angle in a range of 15° to 175°, preferably in a range of 30° to 150°, in particular at an angle of 45°, 60°, 75°, 90°, 105°, 120° and / or 135°.

10. Device according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising an n fan, m hollow body with radiation device and o deflection devices, which are arranged sequentially to one another wherein each hollow body with fan is separated from the next hollow body with fan by a deflection element, wherein in particular n and m are identical in number and o = 1 - (m,n) or o = m,n.

11. Device according to claim 10, comprising at least four radiation devices and in particular at least two support devices, wherein the at least four length-adjustable guide arms of the two support devices are offset by 45° to each other.

12. Device according to claim 11, comprising at least three deflection devices, wherein the at least three deflection devices are offset by 45° from one another.

13. Use of a device according to one of the preceding claims for curing resin-impregnated lining tubes.

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