Sealing device, method for producing sealing device, and pipeline system

Abstract

To provide a sealing device and a method for producing the sealing device, where tracing of the sealing device is significantly simplified.SOLUTION: A sealing device (1) for sealing a pipeline assembly, a method for producing the sealing device, and a pipeline system including the sealing device and the pipeline assembly, are provided. The sealing device has an electronic data carrier which is located in a seal and on which seal-specific information can be or is written. The seal is poured into the data carrier as an insert part. The seal and the method comprise the steps of a) introducing the data carrier into a mold, b) pouring a sealing material into the mold, and c) removing from the mold the sealing device produced.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a sealing device for sealing a pipeline assembly, the pipeline assembly having two pipeline units with a pipeline central axis and a fastening device, the pipeline unit having a pipeline with a pipeline outer surface, a pipeline end face and a pipeline outer diameter, and a pipe piece with a pipe piece inner diameter, the pipe piece having a flange portion with a flange portion end face and a pipe portion with a pipe portion inner surface, the fastening device axially fastens the flange portions of the pipe pieces of the two pipeline units to each other, and the sealing device has a seal arranged between the flange portion end faces of the pipe pieces in the axial direction at the use position of the sealing device.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a pipeline system.

[0003] The present invention further relates to a method of manufacturing a sealing device for sealing a pipeline assembly. [Background technology]

[0004] Sealing devices in various embodiments, especially in the form of O-rings, have belonged to the prior art for many years, the drawback of which is that they become brittle over time and the seal-specific information is no longer identifiable on the sealing surface of the sealing device, making it very difficult to trace this information. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0005] SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a sealing device and a method for producing the same, which significantly simplifies tracking of the sealing device and which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] This object is achieved in a sealing device of the type mentioned at the beginning by the fact that the sealing device has a data carrier arranged in correspondence with the seal, the data carrier having an electronic data memory in which seal-specific information can be written or is written. The writable, preferably rewritable, data memory of the data carrier allows for flexible data management of the sealing device. The seal-specific information on the data carrier, in particular on the RFID transponder, can be changed, deleted or supplemented at any time. In particular product, maintenance, production or service data are thus always available directly at the sealing device as seal-specific information. Advantageously, the sealing device is designed in particular for clamping pipe pieces according to DIN 32676.

[0007] In this case, the data carrier with the data memory can be arranged in the seal or outside the seal. According to an advantageous embodiment of the sealing device, the data carrier arranged in correspondence with the seal is arranged in the seal. The data carrier arranged in the seal is always arranged in the seal in a one-to-one correspondence, since the data carrier is assembled in the seal. For example, the data carrier is essentially inseparably joined to the seal, i.e. the seal and the data carrier cannot be separated without destroying the seal.

[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment of the sealing device, the data carrier arranged in correspondence with the seal is arranged outside the seal. Advantageously, the data carrier arranged in correspondence with the seal is arranged outside and adjacent to the seal. In particular, this also allows a spatial separation between the seal and the data carrier. For example, the data carrier is provided at a different position from the seal, so that the seal and the data carrier do not have direct contact with each other. This excludes that the medium, which is guided in the pipe assembly with the pipe unit and which is to be sealed against the surrounding environment, can come into contact with the data memory. Aggressive media, such as acids, bases, etc., can in this case in particular degrade the seal, but the data carrier is always readable, so that the information stored on the data carrier can be called up at any time.

[0009] Advantageously, three different data carriers are available. A data carrier which is exclusively readable and which is written once by the supplier individually, but on which it is not possible to add, delete or overwrite seal-specific information later. For example, the production date and the characteristics of the sealing device are treated here by the manufacturer as seal-specific information. The data carrier can be written once by the manufacturer or customer and can be read any number of times. This gives the customer the possibility to store, for example, the due date for the installation of the sealing device in a system as additional seal-specific information on the data carrier. Advantageously, the seal-specific information can only be read once it has been stored. This prevents the seal-specific information from being changed incorrectly or unintentionally, which increases the quality of the system. A data carrier which allows unlimited writing and reading of the data memory of the data carrier at the manufacturer's or customer's side. It is also possible to lock the data carrier for writing and / or reading by setting a write protection.

[0010] Preferably, the sealing device is used in pipeline structures present in installations in the bioindustry, pharmaceutical industry, chemical industry or food industry or in the field of hygiene.

[0011] In this respect, the data memory of the data carrier can be read in particular contactlessly. Preferably, the data carrier of the sealing device is configured as an RFID transponder. The invisible communication between the RFID transponder and the write-read system provides a high degree of insensitivity to contamination, for example due to mounting in a protected position, invisible integration into existing products and simplified process optimization. Furthermore, each data carrier has a one-to-one correspondence based on a serial number that is set once and only once worldwide. This ensures an exact correspondence to the individual production levels and a perfect individualization of production. Simultaneous reading of several RFID transponders in one work step is also possible, which accelerates the work process.

[0012] According to another advantageous embodiment of the sealing device, the seal is configured to form a defined transition between two pipeline units that are clamped to one another, so that no accumulation of residues of a medium flowing through the pipeline assembly or of multiple media flowing through the pipeline assembly occurs.

[0013] According to another preferred embodiment of the pipe assembly, the seal has a seal insert configured to set a minimum axial distance between the two pipe units. Setting the minimum axial distance between the two pipe units using a seal with a seal insert is advantageous since the maximum pressing force of the sealing surfaces can be set. Furthermore, due to the seal insert, the minimum distance between the two pipe units cannot be exceeded, so that post-machining of the pipe units, in particular the associated pipes, can be omitted.

[0014] Preferably, the sealing insert has a sealing insert end face configured as a stop. The sealing insert end face configured as a stop allows for a simple realization of limiting the minimum distance between two pipe units to be clamped. Particularly preferably, the data carrier is configured as part of the sealing insert. The data carrier thus forms part of the sealing insert.

[0015] According to an additional advantageous development of the sealing device, the seal has a sealing surface that extends in the circumferential direction around the sealing device central axis, on which a sealing part with a data carrier is arranged. As a result, the data carrier, in particular a data carrier configured as an RFID transponder, can be better read in the use state of the sealing device. The clamping device is configured as a hinged clamp, and the sealing part can be guided or is guided on the outside by a hinged clamp joint of the clamping device. The seal is preferably manufactured from rubber, preferably nitrile rubber or perfluororubber, silicone, polyethylene or polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0016] Preferably, the problem is solved by a pipeline system comprising a sealing device and a pipeline assembly according to any one of claims 1 to 14.

[0017] Furthermore, the object of the present invention is achieved by providing a method as mentioned at the beginning, the sealing device having an electronic data carrier arranged in the seal, on which seal-specific information can be written or on which information is written, the sealing device being arranged to insert the seal into the data carrier as an insert part, a) introducing a data carrier into a mould; b) pouring a sealing material into a mold; c) removing the produced sealing device from the mold. The problem is solved by a method comprising the steps of:

[0018] This method allows for a fast and cost-effective production of the sealing device. Advantageously, the method carried out is an injection molding method or a compression molding method. Thus, advantageously, the sealing device is designed in particular for clamping pipe pieces according to DIN 32676. Advantageously, in step a), a sealing insert with a data carrier is introduced into the mold. This has the advantage that no sealing parts are required, which can be separated from the sealing device very simply.

[0019] According to another advantageous embodiment, the sealing device produced by the method is a sealing device as claimed in claim 2.

[0020] The present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0021] [Figure 1] A cross-sectional view of the pipe and the pipe section is shown. [Diagram 2] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a pipe and a sleeve, the sleeve being axially fitted onto the pipe. [Diagram 3] FIG. [Figure 4] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of two duct units with a seal disposed between them. [Diagram 5] 1 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a pipeline assembly having a portion A in the area of ​​two pipeline units clamped to one another. [Figure 6] 6 shows a detailed view of part A shown in FIG. 5 in the region of two pipeline units clamped to one another. [Figure 7] 1 shows a plan view of a first embodiment of a sealing device with a seal and a data carrier together with detail B. FIG. [Figure 8] FIG. 2 shows a side view of a first embodiment of a sealing device comprising a seal and a data carrier. [Figure 9] 8 shows a detailed view of detail B shown in FIG. 7. [Figure 10]1 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of a sealing device comprising a seal and a data carrier; [Figure 11] 13 shows a plan view of a third embodiment of a sealing device comprising a seal and a data carrier; [Figure 12] 13 shows a plan view of a fourth embodiment of a sealing device comprising a seal and a data carrier; [Figure 13] 13 shows a plan view of a space containing a fifth embodiment of a sealing device having a seal and a data carrier. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0022] Unless otherwise stated, the following description relates to all illustrated embodiments of a sealing device 1 according to the present invention for sealing a pipeline assembly 2 .

[0023] The pipe assembly 2 comprises two pipe units 4 having a pipe central axis 3 and a fastening device 5. The pipe unit 4 comprises a pipe 6 and a pipe piece 7, where the pipe 6 and the pipe piece 7 are aligned with the pipe central axis 3.

[0024] The conduit 6 has an outer conduit surface 8, a conduit end face 9, and an outer conduit diameter 10. Additionally, the conduit 6 is configured to correspond to standards for pipe length and pipe bends, where in the illustrated embodiment a straight conduit 1 is used. In other embodiments not shown, the pipe lengths and pipe bends are configured in other ways.

[0025] The stub 7 has a stub inside diameter 11 and includes a flange portion 13 having a flange portion end face 12 and a tube portion 15 having a tube portion inner surface 14. The flange portion end face 12 of the flange portion 13 defines a groove 16 that partially retains the sealing device 1.

[0026] Additionally, the tube section inner surface 14 has structure 18 in the form of ridges 19 .

[0027] The pipe stub 7 is axially inserted into the pipe 6 in the axial direction of the pipe central axis 3. The flange part end face 12 and the pipe end face 9 are thereby flush with one another. In the illustrated embodiment, the pipe outer diameter 10 and the pipe stub inner diameter 11 have the same size.

[0028] In another embodiment, not shown, the outer pipe diameter 10 of the pipe 6 is larger than the inner pipe diameter 11 of the pipe stub 7. A press fit is thus created when the pipe stub 7 is axially inserted directly onto the pipe 6. By such a press fit, a force-fit connection between the pipe 6 and the pipe stub 7 is established.

[0029] The pipe unit 4 has a tube stub 7 which is axially fitted into the pipe 6. In contrast to the assembly shown in Fig. 2, in Fig. 3 the pipe 6 is fixed in the pipe stub 7 in the pipe unit 4 by means of a press fit 20, in particular by radial expansion of the pipe wall. The pipe stub 7 is thus connected to the pipe 6 in a force-fit manner. Other conventional connecting means, such as welding the pipe stub 7 to the pipe 6, are possible in other embodiments but are not depicted here.

[0030] The radial expansion is achieved by means of a tool, in particular a hole expansion tool, and is also referred to as expanding the conduit 6. After the radial expansion, the cross section of the conduit 6 is larger in the area of ​​the expansion than the original cross section of the conduit 6. Due to the radial expansion of the conduit 6, the expanded inner conduit diameter 21 is therefore larger than the original conduit diameter 22 in the area of ​​overlap of the tube piece 7 and the conduit 6.

[0031] Due to the formation 18 arranged on the pipe section inner surface 14 in the form of a ridge 19, not only a force-locking connection but also a form-locking connection between the pipe 6 and the pipe piece 7 is established upon the widening of the pipe 6. The formation 18 can also be configured in other ways, for example as a groove, etc.

[0032] In another embodiment, not shown, the pipe section inner surface 14 and / or the pipe outer surface 8 are at least partially structured prior to the radial expansion of the pipe 6 .

[0033] A sealing device 1 having a sealing insert 23 is arranged axially between the pipeline units 4 .

[0034] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a pipeline assembly 2 having a portion A in the area of ​​two pipeline units 4 clamped to one another.

[0035] The pipeline assembly 2 has a sealing device 1 arranged axially between flange portion end faces 12 formed on flange portions 13 of the pipe pieces 7. The sealing device 1 is configured to form a predetermined transition 24 between two pipeline units 4 clamped to one another. The predetermined transition 24 is formed by a crimping force acting on the sealing device 1 during clamping.

[0036] 5, part A, which will be described below, in the region of the two mutually clamped pipe units 4, shows an enlarged view of the predetermined transition 24. By means of the predetermined transition 24, the accumulation of residues or solids of the medium flowing through the pipe assembly 2 or of the media flowing through the pipe assembly 2 is reduced or prevented.

[0037] Furthermore, the sealing device 1 has a seal insert 23. The seal insert 23 sets a minimum axial distance 25 between the two pipe units 4, so that the two pipe units 4 are subjected to a crimping force determined by the minimum axial distance 25 determined based on the seal insert 23 when the pipe assembly 2 is tightened.

[0038] The line assembly 2 is axially clamped by means of a clamping device 5. For this purpose, the flange sections 13 of the pipe pieces 7 of the two line units 4 are axially clamped to one another by means of the clamping device 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the clamping device 5 is preferably configured as a hinged clamp 26. With the clamping device 5 configured as a hinged clamp 26, the pressure force acting on the sealing device 13, which corresponds to the pressing force in terms of area, can additionally be adjusted, for example by means of a wing nut which closes the hinged clamp 26. The clamping device 5 can also be configured as a flange screw connection.

[0039] Alternatively, standard items such as, for example, gauges, valves and flaps may also be used as the pipeline unit 4 in this case and may form the pipeline assembly 2 together with other second pipeline units 4 .

[0040] The seal insert 23 of the sealing device 1 has a seal insert end face 28 configured as a stopper 27. By means of the seal insert 23, an axial minimum distance 25 between the two line units 4 can be set or is set. In the tightened state of the line assembly 2, the line end face 9 and / or the flange portion end face 12 adjoins the seal insert end face 28 of the seal insert 23 of the sealing device 1. This allows the minimum distance 25 between the two line units 4 of the line assembly 2 and thus also the pressing force acting on the sealing device 1 to be precisely adjusted.

[0041] The transition 24, which is set by the pressure determined by the sealing insert 23, is preferably configured in such a way that the bend 29 forms an obtuse angle α with respect to the inner pipe diameter 21. Particularly preferably, the obtuse angle α has an angle α between 100° and 170°, more particularly preferably between 120° and 150°. This achieves a reduction or even prevention of residues of a medium flowing through the pipe assembly 2 or of a plurality of media flowing through the pipe assembly 2.

[0042] The sealing device 1 comprises a data carrier 31 arranged in the seal 30, which comprises an electronic data memory 32 in which seal-specific information can be written or written. The data carrier 31 of the sealing device 1 is preferably configured as an RFID transponder 33. The data memory 32 of the data carrier 31 is thus better writable and / or readable, in particular in a contactless manner, for example by non-illustrated RFID reading and / or writing devices. Thus, in particular product data, maintenance data, production data or service data are directly available to the sealing device at any time as seal-specific information. For example, the date of manufacture, the date of the next maintenance, the state of the seal itself, the date of the last inspection, etc. can be stored in the data carrier 31.

[0043] The seal 30 is preferably configured as a flat seal, in which materials such as elastomers, pressed fibers, aramid fibers, carbon fibers, mineral fibers, metals, copper, etc. are used as sealing materials. A coated sealing device 1, in particular a coated flat seal, is also suitable, in which the sealing device 1 comprises a core (any flat seal material, for example a fiber composite, PTFE, etc.) surrounded by a PTFE sleeve or a metal sleeve, preferably steel or a corrosion-resistant nickel alloy. The coating protects the core against the chemical action of the medium to be enclosed. The seal 30 is preferably made of rubber, in particular preferably nitrile rubber or perfluororubber, silicone, polyethylene or polytetrafluoroethylene.

[0044] The seal 30 of the sealing device 1 has a seal covering surface 35 which extends circumferentially around a sealing device centre line 34, on which a sealing part 36 with a data carrier 31 is arranged. The sealing part 36 is configured in the form of a frying pan handle. In the used state, the pipeline centre axis 3 and the sealing device centre line 34 coincide. In the embodiment not depicted, for example, the sealing part 36 is not provided, so that the data carrier 31 is arranged within the seal 30. Other arrangements in the sealing device 1 are also possible and conceivable.

[0045] In another preferred embodiment, the data carrier 31 is configured as part of the sealing insert 23. Such an embodiment is illustrated in Fig. 10. This allows the advantages of the sealing insert 23 and the data carrier 31 to be combined with one another. Furthermore, in this case it is no longer possible for the data carrier 31 to easily come off in the use state.

[0046] Thus, in a second alternative embodiment of the sealing device 1 according to Fig. 10, a data carrier 31 with a data memory 32, which is arranged correspondingly to the seal 30, is arranged in the seal 30. The data carrier 31 arranged in the seal 30 is therefore always arranged in a one-to-one correspondence with the seal 30. The data carrier 31 is embedded in the seal, whereby the data carrier 31 is essentially inseparably connected to the seal 30. In particular, the seal 30 and the data carrier 31 cannot therefore be separated from each other without destroying the seal 30.

[0047] The clamping device 5 is advantageously designed as a hinged clamp 26 , the sealing part 36 being guided on the outside by a hinged clamp joint of the clamping device 5 .

[0048] The sealing device 1 for sealing the pipeline assembly 2 has an electronic data carrier 31 arranged in the seal 30 on which seal-specific information can be written or written, in which case the data carrier 31 as an insert part 37 is cast into the seal 30 in a method for manufacturing the sealing device 1. The method includes the steps of introducing the data carrier 31 into a mold, pouring a seal material into the mold, and removing the manufactured sealing device 1 from the mold.

[0049] Preferably, the process carried out is an injection moulding process or a compression moulding process. Particularly preferably, the sealing device 1 produced by the process is a sealing device 1 according to one of the sealing device 1 claims.

[0050] According to a further preferred method, in step a, the sealing insert 23 is inserted into the mould, the data carrier 31 being configured as part of the sealing insert 23 .

[0051] 4 and 5, a pipeline system 38 is shown, which in this case comprises a sealing device 1 and a pipeline assembly 2. The sealing device 1 and the pipeline assembly 2 are preferably configured according to the description of the drawings.

[0052] A plan view of a third embodiment of the sealing device 1 with a seal 30 and a data carrier 31 is shown in Fig. 11. In this case, the data carrier 31 with the data memory 32 is arranged on the outside of the seal 30, against the outer sealing side 39.

[0053] 12 shows a fourth embodiment of the sealing device 1, in which again a data carrier 31 with a data memory 32 in the form of an RFID transponder 33, arranged corresponding to the seal 30, is arranged on the outside of the seal 30. Advantageously, the data carrier 31 arranged corresponding to the seal 30 is arranged on the outside, adjacent to the seal 30. The data carrier 31 is arranged on the sealing side 39 of the seal 30.

[0054] The data carrier 31 may also be spatially separated from the seal 30, as shown in the fifth embodiment in Fig. 13. The data carrier 31 is provided at a different location to the seal 30, here on the wall 40 of the chamber 41, so that the seal 30 and the data carrier 31 do not have direct contact with each other. This excludes that a medium guided in the conduit assembly 2 with the conduit unit 4 and to be sealed off by the seal 30 against the surrounding environment can come into contact with the data memory 31. In this case, aggressive media, such as for example acids or bases, may in particular degrade the seal 30, but the information stored in the data carrier 31 can be called up at any time, since the data carrier 31 is always readable.

Claims

1. A sealing device (1) for sealing a pipeline assembly (2), comprising: A pipeline assembly (2) has two pipeline units (4) having a pipeline central axis (3) and a clamping device (5), the pipeline unit (4) has a pipeline (6) having a pipeline outer surface (8), a pipeline end face (9) and a pipeline outer diameter (10), and a pipe piece (7) having a pipe piece inner diameter (11), the pipe piece (7) having a flange portion (13) having a flange portion end face (12) and a pipe portion (15) having a pipe portion inner surface (14), the clamping device (5) axially clamps the flange portions (13) of the pipe pieces (7) of the two pipeline units (4) to each other, and the sealing device (1) has a seal (30) arranged between the flange portion end faces (12) of the pipe pieces (7) in the axial direction in a use position of the sealing device (1), The sealing device (1) has a data carrier (31) arranged corresponding to the seal (30), and the data carrier (31) has an electronic data memory (32) in which seal-specific information can be written or has been written.

2. 2. The sealing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that a data carrier (31) arranged corresponding to the seal (30) is arranged within the seal (30).

3. 2. The sealing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the data carrier (31) arranged corresponding to the seal (30) is arranged outside the seal (30).

4. 4. The sealing device (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that a data carrier (31) arranged corresponding to the seal is arranged on the outside against the seal (30).

5. 5. The sealing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the data memory (32) of the data carrier (31) is readable.

6. 6. The sealing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the data memory (32) of the data carrier (31) is contactlessly readable.

7. 7. The sealing device (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the data carrier (31) of the sealing device (1) is designed as an RFID transponder (33).

8. The sealing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the seal (30) is configured to form a predetermined transition (24) between two pipeline units (4) that are clamped to one another, so that no accumulation of residues of one type of medium flowing through the pipeline assembly (2) or of multiple types of media flowing through the pipeline assembly (2) occurs.

9. The sealing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the seal (30) has a seal insert (23) configured to set a minimum axial distance (25) between two pipeline units (4).

10. 8. The sealing device (1) according to claim 7, characterized in that the sealing insert (23) has a sealing insert end face (28) configured as a stopper (27).

11. 9. The sealing device (1) according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that the data carrier (31) is configured as part of the sealing insert (23).

12. The seal (30) has a sealing peripheral surface (35) extending circumferentially around a sealing device central axis (34), and a sealing portion (36) having a data carrier (31) is arranged on the sealing peripheral surface (35). The sealing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the seal (30) has a sealing peripheral surface (35) extending circumferentially around a sealing device central axis (34), and a sealing portion (36) having a data carrier (31) is arranged on the sealing peripheral surface (35).

13. The sealing device (1) according to claim 10, characterized in that the fastening device (5) is configured as a hinged clamp (26) and the sealing part (35) is externally guideable or guided by a hinged clamp joint of the fastening device (5).

14. The sealing device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the seal (30) is made from rubber, preferably nitrile rubber or perfluororubber, silicone, polyethylene or polytetrafluoroethylene.

15. A pipeline system comprising a sealing device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 14 and a pipeline assembly (2).

16. A method for manufacturing a sealing device (1) for sealing a pipeline assembly (2), comprising the steps of: The sealing device (1) comprises an electronic data carrier (31) arranged in the seal (30) on which seal-specific information can be written or on which information is written, Pouring the seal (30) into the data carrier (31) as the insert part (37); a) introducing a data carrier (31) into the mould, b) pouring a seal material into the mold; c) removing the produced sealing device (1) from the mould; The method of claim 1, further comprising:

17. 17. A method according to claim 16, characterized in that the process carried out is an injection moulding process or a compression moulding process.

18. 18. Method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that in step a) a sealing insert (23) with a data carrier (31) is introduced into the mould.

19. 18. The method according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the sealing device (1) produced by the method is a sealing device (1) according to claim 2.

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