Transfer cell connection port comprising a flange and a door with an external door actuation system including at least one cam-groove linkage

Abstract

This disclosure relates to a connection port for a sealed transfer cell, this port comprising a flange (2) having an outer face (8) and an inner face (7) which carries a hinge (4) to which a door (3) movable between an open and a closed position is attached. The hinge (4) has two fixed bearings which jointly support a rotating element (11) to which the door (3) is rigidly attached. The flange (2) is equipped with an operating mechanism for opening and closing the door (3), comprising an operating rod (38) which passes through the outer face (8) of the flange (2) while being movable in translation, and a transmission (27) comprising at least one cam-groove linkage (CR2, CR3) for linking the rod (38) to the rotating element (11) in motion, so that a translation of the rod (38) causes a rotation of the door (3). Figure for the abstract: Figure 6

Description

Title of the invention: Transfer cell connection port comprising a flange and a door with an external door actuation system including at least one cam-groove linkage. Technical field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to the field of sealed transfer of components from a sealed container to a sealed cell, with a double-door connection system. PREVIOUS STATE OF THE ART

[0002] In various industrial sectors, it is necessary to carry out tasks in a confined atmosphere, for example to protect the environment from radioactivity or toxicity, or to carry out these tasks in an aseptic atmosphere, or both simultaneously.

[0003] The transfer of devices or products from a container to a cell without breaking the seal is ensured with a double-door connection device, such a device being known for example from document FR2695343.

[0004] In such a device, the sealed transfer cell is equipped with a transfer port having a flange fitted with a door for opening or closing the central opening of this flange. In practice, the door is located on the inner side of the flange, i.e., within the cell, and is connected to this flange by a hinge. The container is closed by a door mounted in a flange of this container, to which it is secured by a bayonet fitting. Two other bayonet fittings secure the flanges to each other and the doors to each other.

[0005] It is common to designate the flange and the door of the cell as alpha flange and alpha door, and to designate the flange and the door of the container as beta flange and beta door.

[0006] The connection of the container to the cell is ensured by applying the flange of the container against that of the cell, and rotating it on itself, which has the effect of:

[0007] - to secure the two straps together by their bayonet connection;

[0008] - to secure the two doors together by another bayonet connection;

[0009] - Disconnect the bayonet fitting linking the container door to its flange.

[0010] Once this connection is made, the cell door can be pivoted inwards around its hinge, so as to open the communication: the door the container being then rigidly attached to that of the cell by the corresponding bayonet connection, it opens in conjunction with the cell door.

[0011] Once the transfer of components or materials has been carried out from the container to the cell or vice versa, the cell door, with the container door attached to it, is folded down by pivoting around the hinge. The container is then pivoted in the opposite direction, which has the effect of:

[0012] - to secure the container door to the container flange;

[0013] - detach the container door from the cell door;

[0014] - detach the container flange from the cell flange.

[0015] The purpose of this disclosure is to provide a solution enabling an operator located outside the cell to close and open the door which is located inside the cell. SUMMARY

[0016] To this end, the present disclosure relates to a connection port for a sealed transfer cell, this port comprising a flange having an external face and an internal face which carries a hinge to which is fixed a movable door between an open position and a closed position in which this door closes a central opening in the flange, the hinge comprising two fixed bearings rigidly fixed to the flange which jointly carry a rotating element to which the door is rigidly fixed, the flange being equipped with an operating system for opening and closing the door from the external face, characterized in that the operating system comprises an operating rod which passes through the external face of the flange while being movable in translation, and a transmission comprising at least one cam-groove linkage for linking the operating rod to the rotating element in motion,so that a translation of the operating rod causes the door to rotate.

[0017] With this arrangement, the opening and closing of the door are ensured from outside the flange by simple movement of the slide which can be ensured directly or via a lever or via a motorized actuator.

[0018] This disclosure also relates to a port thus defined, in which the transmission comprises a reducer including a small gear rigidly attached to the rotating element and a large gear which is carried by the flange by being meshed with the small gear, and in which the large gear is linked in motion to the operating rod by means of at least one cam-groove connection.

[0019] This disclosure also relates to a port thus defined, in which the transmission comprises a swing arm having a fixed end carried by the flange and a free end which is connected to the large gear by a cam-groove linkage, and in which the operating rod is connected in motion to this swing arm by a cam-groove linkage located between the two ends of the swing arm, so that a translation of the operating rod generates a rotation of the swing arm around its fixed end.

[0020] This disclosure also relates to a port thus defined, comprising a housing rigidly attached to the flange and protruding from the external face, this housing carrying a rotating lever and containing a slide rigidly attached to one end of the operating rod, this housing containing a cam-groove linkage connecting the lever to the slide in motion.

[0021] This disclosure also relates to a port thus defined, in which the lever is movable in rotation about an axis which is parallel to the outer face.

[0022] This disclosure also relates to a port thus defined, in which each cam-groove linkage has a roller engaged in a corresponding oblong light.

[0023] This disclosure also relates to a port as defined above, in which the cam-groove linkage connecting the operating rod with the swing arm in motion includes a roller which is fixed to a sleeve surrounding the operating rod and rigidly attached to it.

[0024] This disclosure also relates to a port thus defined, in which the transmission extends into a housing protruding from the inner face of the flange.

[0025] This disclosure also relates to a method of using a port as defined above, comprising the operation of moving the operating rod to operate the door.

[0026] This disclosure also relates to a method thus defined, in which the transmission comprises a reducer including a small gear rigidly attached to the rotating element and a large gear which is carried by the flange by being meshed with the small gear, and in which the large gear is linked in motion to the operating rod by means of at least one cam-groove connection.

[0027] This disclosure also relates to a method of using a connection port for a sealed transfer cell, this port comprising a flange having an external face and an internal face which carries a hinge to which is attached a movable door between an open position and a closed position in which this door closes a central opening in the flange, the hinge comprising two fixed bearings rigidly attached to the flange which jointly carry a rotating element to which the door is rigidly attached, the flange being equipped with an operating system for opening and closing the door from the external face, characterized in that the operating system comprises an operating rod which passes through the external face of the flange while being movable in translation, and a transmission comprising at least one cam-groove linkage to link the operating rod to the rotating element in motion, so that a translation of the operating rod causes a rotation of the door, this method including the operation of moving the operating rod to operate the door.

[0028] This disclosure also relates to a method thus defined, in which the transmission comprises a reducer including a small gear rigidly attached to the rotating element and a large gear which is carried by the flange by being meshed with the small gear, and in which the large gear is linked in motion to the operating rod by means of at least one cam-groove connection. Brief description of the drawings

[0029] The [Fig. 1] is a view of the connection port according to the present disclosure shown on the inner face of the flange when the door is closed;

[0030] Figure 2 is a view of the connection port according to the present disclosure shown on the inner face of the flange when the door is open;

[0031] Fig. 3 is a view of the connection port according to the present disclosure shown from the side of the outer face when the door is closed;

[0032] Figure 4 is a perspective and transparent view of the housing carrying the lever with the slide contained in this housing when the lever and the slide occupy a position corresponding to the closed state of the door;

[0033] The [Fig.5] is a perspective and transparent view of the housing carrying the lever with the slide contained in this housing when the lever and the slide occupy a position corresponding to the open state of the door;

[0034] Fig. 6 is a partial perspective view showing the casing with the transmission that this casing contains;

[0035] Figure 7 is a partial perspective view showing the housing with the transmission that this casing contains but without the swing arm of this transmission;

[0036] Fig. 8 is a partial side view showing the flange with its operating system when the door is closed;

[0037] Figure 9 is a partial side view showing the flange with its system of maneuver when the door is open. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0038] In figures 1 to 3, a connection port 1 for a sealed transfer cell includes a cell flange 2 supporting a door 3 attached to this flange 2 by a hinge 4. This flange 2 is fixed to an opening not shown in a cell wall, and has a shape of revolution around an axis AX, to delimit a circular central opening 6.

[0039] It comprises an internal face 7 appearing in Figures 1 and 2 and extending inside the cell it equips, and an external face 8, identified in Figures 1 to 3, but appearing more clearly in [Fig.3] and extending outside the cell it equips.

[0040] The opening 6, which is free in the situation of [Fig.2], can be closed as in [Fig.1], by folding the door 3 against the flange 2 by pivoting this door 3 around the hinge 4. The hinge 4 extends along an axis AY normal to the axis AX and spaced from it by a distance greater than the radius of the opening 6.

[0041] The door 3 is linked to the hinge 4 by an arm 9 having a first end rigidly attached to a rotating element 11 of the hinge 4, and a second end rigidly fixed to the door 3. The rotating element 11 of the hinge is part of the arm 9, with which it forms a single monobloc piece.

[0042] As indicated above, the hinge 4 includes a rotating element 11 through which a shaft 10 passes, to which it is rigidly attached, this shaft extending along the axis AY and which is supported by bearings 13 and 14 which are part of the flange 2 and / or which are rigidly fixed to its inner face 7, to allow the element 11 to pivot around the axis AY.

[0043] In practice, the rotating element 11 is traversed by the shaft 10, which is a rigid assembly comprising a shaft equipped in particular with two rings 12, one of which may be part of an element extending from one end of the shaft itself. These two rings 12 are supported by the bearings 13 and 14, relative to which they rotate with the element 11 and the arm 9 when the door is operated.

[0044] The door 3 which is located on the side of the inner face of the port 1 is operated by means of a lever 16 which is located on the outer side of the port 1, this lever 16 being coupled to the rotating element 11 of the hinge by means of an operating system 17.

[0045] As can be seen in figures 1 to 3, the lever 16 is movable in rotation around an axis AR1 parallel to the external face 8 and perpendicular to the axis AX, so that this lever 16 is mobile in a plane perpendicular to the external face 8, this plane being located radially outside the opening 6.

[0046] Starting from the situation in [Fig. 1], for an operator located on the outside of port 1, opening the door consists of rotating the lever 16 by slightly more than a quarter turn around the axis AR1, folding it down towards the outer face 8 as shown in [Fig. 2]. Similarly, closing the door consists of operating the lever in the opposite direction, pulling it towards oneself to move it away from the outer face 8.

[0047] As can be seen in figures 1 to 3, the lever 16 is here of the crank type, it comprises a hub 19 extended by a radial arm 21 ending in a handle 22, the hub being rigidly attached to a rotating shaft 23 carried by a housing 24 and rotating around the axis AR1, this housing 24 is rigidly attached to the flange 2.

[0048] The lever 16 is linked in motion to the hinge 4 by an operating system 17 comprising the housing 24 visible in figures 3 to 5 protruding from the outer face 8 and carrying the lever 16, and a casing 26 carried by the inner face 7, this casing containing as seen in figures 6 to 8 a transmission 27 connecting the housing 24 to the hinge 4. The operating system 17 thus makes it possible to operate the door 3 located on the inner side, thanks to the lever 16 which extends from the outer side.

[0049] The housing 24, which appears more clearly in figures 4 and 5, has a generally parallelepiped shape, having a radially internal face with respect to the axis AX which is perpendicular to the face 8 of the flange 2, this face having an orthoradial orientation with respect to the axis AX.

[0050] This housing 24 comprises a body 28 and a cover 29 covering the radially external face of this body 28 and the face of this body 28 which is opposite the face 8 of the flange 2, and a plate 31 attached against the radially external face of the cover 29.

[0051] The hollow body 28 comprises two internal slides 32 parallel to the axis AX, in the form of two facing U-shaped profiles, and it encloses a generally parallelepiped-shaped slide 33 which is guided by these slides into which the opposite sides of this slide are engaged. The body is fixed to the flange 2 by means of through screws 34 extending parallel to the axis AX, these screws being two in number here.

[0052] The plate 31 has a central bearing, not visible in the figures, which carries the shaft 23 of the lever 16, guiding it in rotation. This shaft 23 passes through the plate and the cover 29, and rotates about the axis AR1. This shaft 23 carries, at its end opposite the hub 19, i.e., the end extending into the body 28, a first roller 36 whose axis of rotation is parallel to the axis AR1 but eccentric with respect to this axis AR1.

[0053] As can be seen in Figures 4 and 5, this first roller 36 is engaged in a first slot 37 formed in the slide 33 to constitute with this slot a first cam-groove CRI connection. This slot 37 has an oblong shape extending parallel to the outer face 8 and it passes completely through the slide 33 in order to open in its radially internal face to its radially external face.

[0054] As can be seen in figures 4 and 5, a rotation of the lever 16 from its closed position in which it is away from the flange 2 as in [Fig.4], to its open position in which it is folded against the flange 2 as in [Fig.5], generates a translation of the slide 33 which brings it closer to the external face 8.

[0055] Similarly, a rotation of the lever from its open position folded against the flange 2 to its open position away from the flange 2 generates a translation of the slide 33 which moves it away from the external face 8.

[0056] In practice, a rotation of the shaft 23 carrying the lever 16 generates a rotation of the roller 36 around the axis AR1, to increase or reduce the distance separating this roller from the external face 8. This allows the slide 33, which is servo-controlled in translation by the slides 32, to be moved by the cam-groove connection CRI linking this roller to the slide 33, this sliding connection being constituted by the roller 36 engaged in the slot 37.

[0057] As can be seen in figures 4 and 5, an operating rod 38 passing through the flange 2 parallel to the axis AX has its external end rigidly fixed to the slide 33 and its internal end extending into the housing 26 which protrudes from the internal face 7 of the flange 2, so that a rotation of the lever 16 results in a translation of the part of the rod 38 located in the housing 26.

[0058] The inner end of the rod 38 is linked in motion to the transmission 27 housed in the casing 26, so as to generate a rotation of the door 3 when this rod 38 is moved in translation under the effect of a rotation of the lever 16.

[0059] More particularly, as can be seen in [Fig.7], the inner end of the rod 38 carries a sleeve 39 rigidly attached to this rod, which itself carries a second roller 41 with an axis parallel to the axis AY and perpendicular to this rod 38.

[0060] As can be seen in [Fig.6], the roller 41 is engaged in a second slot 42 of a swing arm 43 of the transmission 27, to form with this slot a second cam-groove CR2 link.

[0061] This swing arm 43 extends perpendicularly to the axis AY, having a free end 44 close to the axis AY and a fixed end which is secured to an internal foot 45 of the housing 26 by a fixed pivot type connection with an axis parallel to the axis AY.

[0062] The light 42 of this arm 43 is closer to its fixed end than to its free end 44, and it has an oblong shape extending parallel to the arm 43 while passing through it in order to open in its radially external face and in its radially internal face.

[0063] In the example in the figures, this second light 42 is at a distance from the fixed end which is on the order of one third of the length of the arm 43, and it is at a distance from the free end 44 which is on the order of two thirds of this length.

[0064] This swing arm 43 linked to the rod 38 by the CR2 link, allows the movement of this rod 38 to be amplified, so that when the rod 38 moves by a certain value, the free end 44 of the arm 43 moves by a value corresponding approximately to three times the displacement of the rod 38.

[0065] As can be seen in [Fig. 7], the hinge 4 is contiguous with the housing 26, arranged such that the shaft 10 of this hinge extends partly inside the housing 26, carrying a small toothed wheel 46 located opposite the free end 44 of the arm 43. The portion of the shaft 10 extending into the housing 26 can be formed by an element comprising one of the rings 12 and extending the axis proper of this shaft 10.

[0066] This wheel 46 is meshed with a large gear 47 extending into the housing, so that these two gears form a reduction gear. The large gear 47 is connected to the housing by a fixed pivot joint, and it has a diameter that is approximately twice that of the small wheel 46, such that one revolution of this large gear generates approximately two revolutions of the small gear.

[0067] The large toothed wheel 47 is linked in motion to the free end 44 of the swing arm 43 by a third cam-groove link CR3. More particularly, a flange 48, having the shape of a plate with an egg-shaped contour, is rigidly attached to a flank of the toothed wheel 47 and carries a third roller 49 whose axis is parallel to the axis AY and to the axis of rotation of the toothed wheel 47 while being eccentric with respect to this axis of rotation.

[0068] This roller 49 is engaged in a third slot 51 formed at the free end 44 of the swing arm 43 to form with it a third cam-groove connection CR3. This third slot has an oblong shape extending along the main direction of the arm 43, while passing through it completely so as to open on its radially inner face and on its radially outer face.

[0069] Under these conditions, a movement of the lever 16 causes a translation of the rod 38, which causes a rotation of the arm 43 around its fixed end, resulting in a movement of its free end 44 which, because it is linked to the wheel 47 by the CR3 linkage, causes a rotation of the wheel 47. This rotation of the wheel 47 causes a rotation of the wheel 46 and therefore of the shaft 10 of the hinge 4 to move the door 3.

[0070] In practice, the range of movement of the free end 44 of the swing arm 43 corresponds to a rotation of the large toothed wheel 47 over a little less than a quarter turn, which allows the door 3 to be maneuvered over a little less than half a turn between its open position and its closed position.

[0071] As indicated above, the oscillating arm amplifies the movement of the rod 38 by a factor of approximately three, to rotate the wheel 47 by a quarter turn when the rod is moved through its entire stroke, and the reduction unit formed by the wheels 46 and 47 doubles this rotation at the level of the arm 9 carrying the door 3.

[0072] The transmission 27 thus makes it possible to transmit the movement of the slide 33 (moved by the lever 16) to the door 3 while amplifying this movement, since a quarter turn of the lever generates a little less than half a turn of the arm 9 carrying this door 3.

[0073] This transmission 27 is housed in the casing 26, which protrudes from the outer face 8, with its face opposite this face 8 being open. This casing 26 is advantageously closed by a cover 52, visible in Figures 1 and 2, to enclose the transmission 27. This cover 52, which is attached to the housing by three screws, ensures that the transmission 27 cannot contaminate the internal space of the cell, for example, due to dust that might be generated by the transmission's reduction gear. This cover also seals the space on the inner side of the flange with respect to the operating mechanism and the space on the outer side of the flange.

[0074] It is important to note that embodiments different from those in the figures are conceivable without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0075] For example, the system could be devoid of the lever, by providing that the rod constitutes an actuator for the sliding type door: the operator pushes the external end of this rod to close the door and pulls it towards him to open it, this end then being advantageously provided with a suitable knob.

[0076] Moreover, in the example of the figures, the movement of the rod is transmitted to the moving element via, in particular, the oscillating arm 43. But the rod could also be linked in motion directly to the wheel 47, by a cam-groove connection, or even directly to the shaft 10 by a cam-groove connection.

Claims

Demands

1. Connection port (1) for a sealed transfer cell, said port (1) comprising a flange (2) having an external face (8) and an internal face (7) which carries a hinge (4) to which is attached a door (3) movable between an open position and a closed position in which this door (3) closes a central opening (6) of the flange, the hinge (4) comprising two fixed bearings (13, 14) rigidly attached to the flange (2) which jointly carry a rotating element (11) to which the door (3) is rigidly attached, the flange (2) being equipped with an operating system (17) for opening and closing the door (3) from the external face (8), characterized in that the operating system (17) comprises an operating rod (38) which passes through the external face (8) of the flange (2) while being movable in translation, and a transmission (27) comprising at least one cam-groove connection (CR2,CR3) to link the operating rod (38) to the rotating element (11) in motion, so that a translation of the operating rod (38) causes a rotation of the door (3).

2. Port according to claim 1, wherein the transmission (27) comprises a reducer including a small gear (46) rigidly attached to the rotating element (11) and a large gear (47) which is carried by the flange (2) by being meshed with the small gear (46), and wherein the large gear (47) is linked in motion to the operating rod (38) by means of at least one cam-groove connection (CR2, CR3).

3. Port according to claim 2, wherein the transmission (27) comprises a swing arm (43) having a fixed end carried by the flange (2) and a free end (44) which is linked to the large toothed wheel (47) by a cam-groove linkage (CR3), and wherein the operating rod (38) is linked in motion to this swing arm (43) by a cam-groove linkage (CR2) located between the two ends of the swing arm (43), so that a translation of the operating rod (38) causes a rotation of the swing arm (43) around its fixed end.

4. Port according to claim 2, comprising a housing (24) rigidly attached to the flange (2) and protruding from the outer face (8), this housing (24) carrying a rotating lever (16) and containing a slide (33) rigidly attached to one end of the operating rod (38),

5.

6.

7.

8.

9.

10. this housing (24) containing a cam-groove linkage (CRI) linking in motion the lever (16) to the slide (33). A port according to claim 2, wherein the lever (16) is rotationally movable about an axis (AR1) that is parallel to the outer face (8). A port according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein each cam-groove joint (CR1, CR2, CR3) comprises a roller (36, 41, 49) engaged in a corresponding oblong slot (37, 42, 51). A port according to claim 3, wherein the cam-groove joint (CR2) linking the operating rod (38) to the swing arm (43) in motion comprises a roller (41) that is fixed to a sleeve (39) surrounding the operating rod (38) and rigidly attached thereto. A port according to claim 1, wherein the transmission (27) extends within a housing (26) projecting from the inner face (7) of the flange (2). A method of using a port according to claim 1, comprising moving the operating rod (38) to operate the door (3). Method according to claim 9, wherein the transmission (27) comprises a reducer including a small gear (46) rigidly attached to the rotating element (11) and a large gear (47) which is carried by the flange (2) by being meshed with the small gear (46), and wherein the large gear (47) is linked in motion to the operating rod (38) by means of at least one cam-groove connection (CR2, CR3).