Assembly for alignment

Abstract

An assembly (1) for aligning a first conduit (2) with a second conduit (3), the first conduit (2) having a first conduit end (5) with a first adjusting ring (8) having a notch (14) extending along an axis (4) and having ring material (15) extending circumferentially (9) around the notch, and the second conduit (3) having a second conduit end (6) with a second adjusting ring (10) having a notch (14) extending along an axis (4) and having ring material (15) extending circumferentially (9) around the notch. A ring of material (15) extends along the circumferential direction (9), the first adjusting ring (8) has a first abutment surface (12) and the second adjusting ring (10) has a second abutment surface (13), the first abutment surface (12) of the first adjusting ring (8) being arranged to face and contact the abutment surface (13) of the second adjusting ring (10), the first abutment surface (12) forming a spherical disc surface and the second abutment surface (13) forming a spherical disc surface that is formed complementarily to the surface of the first abutment surface (12).

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to an assembly for aligning a first conduit with a second conduit, the first conduit having a first conduit end with a first adjusting ring having an axially extending notch with ring material extending circumferentially around the notch; the second conduit having a second conduit end with a second adjusting ring having an axially extending notch with ring material extending circumferentially around the notch; the first adjusting ring having a first abutment surface; and the second adjusting ring having a second abutment surface, the first abutment surface of the first adjusting ring positioned opposite and in contact with the second abutment surface of the second adjusting ring.

[0002] The present invention further relates to a method for aligning a first conduit with a second conduit, comprising forming a first adjusting ring at a first conduit end of the first conduit and a second adjusting ring at a second conduit end of the second conduit, the first adjusting ring having a first abutment surface and the second adjusting ring having a second abutment surface, the first abutment surface of the first adjusting ring being positioned opposite and in contact with the second abutment surface of the second adjusting ring.

[0003] Pipes are generally fastened to one another using flanges. A flange in the sense of the present invention is also called a pipe flange. When a flange is mentioned in the present text, this refers exclusively to a pipe flange. Flanges are used for a sealed, releasable connection of pipe sections. Critical to the tightness is the contact pressure exerted by the flange threads on the circular sealing surfaces of the flanges, optionally with intermediate seals. These threads extend through holes in the flanges or so-called flange plates. As a component of the pipe, the flanges are usually welded to the pipe ends. The connecting parts can also be provided with flanges.

[0004] During the manufacture of the pipelines and the installation of the connected machines, spatial offsets of the pipelines to be joined often occur, for example due to welding distortions.

[0005] Adjusting such offsets traditionally requires complex rework or adjustment operations on-site, usually under adverse conditions, especially without suitable machine tools. Transportation costs, labor costs, and time delays are further, partly unplanned, drawbacks. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0006] The object of the present invention is to simplify these tasks. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] To solve this problem, the invention proposes an assembly of the type defined in the preamble, with the complementary features of the characterizing part of claim 1, in order to be able to flexibly and easily adjust for different types of offset phenomena between the pipes.

[0008] Additionally, a method for aligning the two conduits is also proposed.

[0009] The present invention makes it possible to adjust for seal shape deviations due to manufacturing tolerances regarding the mutual arrangement of a plurality of sealing surfaces without additional on-site machining, and the structure is very compact.

[0010] Typically, manufacturing tolerances of process piping lines or pipelines and resulting deviations in seal geometry with respect to the mutual arrangement of sealing surfaces can be adjusted during assembly without additional on-site machining, and in this case, seam welding for adjustment or adjustment rings that are difficult to machine are no longer required.

[0011] A further advantage of the present invention is the force distribution of the multiple sealing elements required for compressor use. This ensures a constant, defined force connection between the multiple lines to be connected, thereby ensuring a defined force introduction into the device (e.g., compressor). An advantage over seam welding is that there is no thermally induced distortion after welding.

[0012] In this invention, one adjusting ring is placed at the end of the first conduit, and its contact surface is spherically shaped relative to the second adjusting ring of the second conduit. The geometric shape of these contact surfaces is a spherical layer, also known as a spherical disk. A spherical layer, also called a spherical disk, is a portion of a sphere cut by two parallel planes. This curved surface portion is called a spherical zone.

[0013] This geometry of the abutment surfaces allows for adjustment of the angular offset between the two conduits. In other words, multiple adjustment rings can be used to tilt the first conduit relative to the second conduit, thereby adjusting the angular offset.

[0014] According to the present invention, a third adjusting ring is arranged between the second adjusting ring and the second pipe end of the second pipe, the third adjusting ring having a notch extending along the axis around which the ring material extends in the circumferential direction, wherein the second adjusting ring and the third adjusting ring are formed so as to be displaceable relative to each other.

[0015] As a result, the distance between the pipes in the longitudinal direction of the pipes can be adjusted and optimized, and the distance between the first pipe end and the second pipe end can be increased or decreased accordingly.

[0016] Advantageous developments are set forth in the dependent claims.

[0017] In a first advantageous development, the first adjusting ring is formed integrally with the first line, so that the first line end can be formed in such a way that the spherical abutment surface is directly attached to the first line.

[0018] In an alternative advantageous embodiment, the first adjusting ring is formed as a separate adjusting ring that can be connected to the first line, and this adjusting ring formed with a spherical abutment surface can then be joined to the first line in a suitable manner, for example by a welding process.

[0019] In a further advantageous development, a first seal is arranged circumferentially between the first and second adjusting rings.

[0020] In a further advantageous development, the second adjusting ring has one thread and the third adjusting ring also has one thread, and the second adjusting ring and the third adjusting ring are connected to each other via this thread.

[0021] A thread is a profiled indentation that runs continuously helically (i.e., as a spiral) through the interior or exterior wall of a cylinder. This continuous indentation is called the thread on a bolt or in a nut. It is a variation of an inclined surface that converts a circumferential force into a larger longitudinal force, for example, in screw presses, wine presses, and vehicle jacks. An externally threaded component (bolt) and an internally threaded component (nut) always form a mating pair.

[0022] By slightly rotating the first conduit or the first or second adjustment ring relative to the second conduit or the third adjustment ring, the spacing between the first conduit and the second conduit can be changed.

[0023] In one advantageous development, the thread of the screw extends 360° in the circumferential direction.

[0024] In a further advantageous development, the thread is of helical design.

[0025] The above-mentioned characteristics, features and advantages of the present invention, as well as the manner in which they are achieved, will be more clearly and easily explained by the following description of several embodiments, taken in conjunction with the drawings.

[0026] Components that are identical or have the same function are identified by the same reference numerals.

[0027]

[0013] The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, which do not depict the embodiments to scale and, where useful for the purpose of explanation, are represented in schematic and / or slightly distorted form. For supplementary teachings that can be directly identified in the drawings, reference is made to the relevant prior art. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0028] [Figure 1] Schematic of the first and second conduits in optimal alignment [Figure 2] Schematic diagram of a first conduit having an angular offset relative to a second conduit. [Figure 3] Schematic diagram of a first conduit having a longitudinal offset relative to a second conduit. [Figure 4] 1 shows a schematic diagram of a first conduit and a second conduit along with a number of adjustment rings. [Figure 5] Schematic side view of multiple adjustment rings [Figure 6] Schematic plan view of multiple adjustment rings [Figure 7] Schematic cross-sectional view of multiple adjustment rings [Figure 8] Schematic cross-sectional view of multiple adjustment rings with angular offsets. [Figure 9] Schematic side views of individual adjustment rings DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0029] FIG. 1 shows a simplified schematic diagram of an assembly 1 having a first conduit 2 and a second conduit 3, which extend along a common axis 4. During operation, a flow medium flows through the first and second conduits 2, 3. FIG. 1 symbolically shows an ideal position of the first and second conduits 2, 3, where the two conduits 2, 3 are arranged parallel to the axis 4. The two conduits 2, 3 are connected to each other during operation, preferably using flanges to connect the two conduits to each other.

[0030] The first pipe 2 has a first pipe end portion 5 at one end, and the second pipe 3 has a second pipe end portion 6 opposite the first pipe end portion 5 .

[0031] 2 shows a state in which the first conduit 2 is inclined at an angle a relative to the second conduit 3. Such an arrangement inevitably occurs, for example, when assembling the conduits 2, 3, often due to distortions or manufacturing tolerances that are not optimally implemented. The second conduit 3 extends along another axis 7 that is inclined at an angle a relative to the axis 4.

[0032] 3 symbolically shows the first conduit 2 spaced apart from the second conduit 3 by a distance d along an axis 4. This spacing inevitably occurs, for example, when assembling the conduits 2, 3, often due to distortions or manufacturing tolerances that are not optimally implemented. In this case, the second conduit 3 extends along another axis 7 that is aligned parallel to the axis 4.

[0033] In practice, a combination of the state according to Figure 2 and the state according to Figure 3 generally exists. In other words, after assembly, the two pipes are offset by an angle a and a distance d. The present invention proposes an assembly that allows two pipes 2, 3 to be connected to each other even when they are offset by an angle a and a distance d. This is achieved by the assembly symbolically shown in Figure 4.

[0034] Accordingly, the assembly 1 comprises a first conduit 2 having a first conduit end 5 with a first adjusting ring 8 having a notch (not shown in FIG. 4) extending along the axis 4 around which ring material extends in a circumferential direction 9.

[0035] The assembly 1 also includes a second conduit 3 having a second conduit end 6 with a second adjusting ring 10 having a notch (not shown in FIG. 4) extending along the axis 4 around which the ring material extends in a circumferential direction 9.

[0036] The assembly 1 according to FIG. 4 further comprises a third adjusting ring 11, which will be described in more detail below.

[0037] The offset of the angle a and the distance d between the first conduit 2 and the second conduit 3 can be adjusted by the adjustment rings 8, 10, and 11, which will be described with reference to FIGS.

[0038] 5 shows a side view of three adjusting rings 8, 10, 11. The first adjusting ring 8 has a first abutment surface 12, and the second adjusting ring 10 has a second abutment surface 13, with the first abutment surface 12 of the first adjusting ring 8 being positioned opposite and in contact with the second abutment surface 13 of the second adjusting ring 10.

[0039] 6 shows a view from above of the three adjusting rings 8, 10, 11. The adjusting rings 8, 10, 11 have a notch 14 extending along the axis 4, around which ring material 15 extends in the circumferential direction 9.

[0040] Figures 7 and 8 show cross sections through the three adjustment rings 8, 10, 11. Figure 7 shows the state where the first conduit 2 has no angular offset (angle a = 0) relative to the second conduit 3. Figure 8 shows the state where the first conduit 2 has an angular offset relative to the second conduit 3 (angle a = approximately 3°).

[0041] The surface geometry of the first abutment surface 12 of the first adjusting ring 8 is here a spherical disk. A spherical disk is a portion of a sphere. In Figure 7, the spherical shape is indicated by an auxiliary line 16, which represents a portion of a sphere with radius r.

[0042] The second abutment surface 13 has a spherical disk surface formed complementary to the surface of the first abutment surface 12. As a result, the first adjusting ring 8 can rotate relative to the second adjusting ring 10 around a radius r while the two abutment surfaces 12, 13 remain in contact.

[0043] Figure 8 shows the second adjusting ring 10 rotated slightly relative to the first adjusting ring 8. The abutment surfaces 12, 13 are in contact due to this geometry.

[0044] In the first embodiment, the first adjusting ring 8 is integrally formed with the first conduit 2. In an alternative embodiment, the first adjusting ring 8 is a separate adjusting ring that can be connected to the first conduit 2. 8 It is formed as:

[0045] First Adjustment Ring 8 and a second adjustment ring 10 In order to improve the sealing effect between the first adjusting ring and the second adjusting ring, one seal is 8 and a second adjustment ring 10 is placed between.

[0046] A third adjusting ring 11 is arranged to adjust the offset in the direction of the axis 4. The third adjusting ring 11 is arranged between the second adjusting ring 10 and the second conduit end 6 of the second conduit 3, and has a notch 14 extending along the axis 4, around which ring material 15 extends in the circumferential direction 9, with the second adjusting ring 10 and the third adjusting ring 11 being formed so as to be displaceable relative to each other. This is achieved by the second adjusting ring 10 having a thread 17, and the third adjusting ring 11 having a thread 17, and the second adjusting ring 10 and the third adjusting ring 11 being joined to each other via the thread 17. Therefore, by rotating the second adjusting ring 10 relative to the third adjusting ring 11, the distance between the second adjusting ring 10 and the third adjusting ring 11 changes.

[0047] In the first embodiment, the third adjusting ring 11 is formed integrally with the second conduit 3. In an alternative embodiment, the third adjusting ring 11 is formed as a separate adjusting ring 11 that can be connected to the second conduit 3.

[0048] In one embodiment, the threads of the screw 17 extend 360° in the circumferential direction.

[0049] FIG. 8 also shows a variant incorporating an axial fixing device, which serves to connect the second adjusting ring 10 and the third adjusting ring 11 to one another after alignment. This axial fixing is achieved by an overhang 21 on the third adjusting ring 11, which is designed to abut against the second adjusting ring 10, preventing any displacement perpendicular to the axis 4. A pin 20 is arranged in this overhang 21 and is configured to apply a continuous force from the overhang 21 to the second adjusting ring 10. This can be achieved, for example, via a screw.

[0050] As can be seen from FIG. 9, the threads are formed in a helical shape.

[0051] When assembling the first conduit 2 with the second conduit 3, the angular and spacing offsets are adjusted by the adjustment rings 8, 10, 11. After this step, the adjustment rings 8, 10, 11 are joined together by a material bond, which can be achieved by welding.

Claims

1. An assembly (1) for aligning a first conduit (2) with a second conduit (3), comprising: The first conduit (2) has a first conduit end (5) with a first adjusting ring (8), the first adjusting ring (8) having a notch (14) extending along the axis (4) and a ring material (15) extending in a circumferential direction (9) around the notch (14); The second conduit (3) has a second conduit end (6) with a second adjusting ring (10), the second adjusting ring (10) having a notch (14) extending along the axis (4) and a ring material (15) extending around the notch (14) in a circumferential direction (9), the first adjusting ring (8) having a first abutment surface (12) and the second adjusting ring (10) having a second abutment surface (13); The first abutment surface (12) of the first adjusting ring (8) is arranged to face and contact the second abutment surface (13) of the second adjusting ring (10). In the assembly (1), the first abutment surface (12) forms the surface of a spherical disk; the second abutment surface (13) forms a spherical disc surface complementary to the surface of the first abutment surface (12); a third adjusting ring (11) is disposed between the second adjusting ring (10) and the second pipe end (6) of the second pipe (3), the third adjusting ring (11) having one notch (14) extending along the axis (4), and a ring material (15) extending around the notch (14) in a circumferential direction (9); The second adjusting ring (10) and the third adjusting ring (11) are formed so as to be displaceable relative to each other along the axis (4). Assembly characterized by:

2. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein said first adjusting ring (8) is integrally formed with said first conduit (2).

3. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first adjusting ring (8) is formed as a separate adjusting ring (8) that can be connected to the first conduit (2).

4. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, wherein said third adjusting ring (11) is integrally formed with said second conduit (3).

5. Assembly (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the third adjusting ring (11) is formed as a separate adjusting ring (11) that can be connected to the second line (3).

6. The second adjusting ring (10) has one screw (17), The third adjusting ring (11) has one screw (17), The second adjusting ring (10) and the third adjusting ring (11) are joined to each other via the screws (17). Assembly (1) according to claim 1.

7. 7. An assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein the threads of the screw (17) extend 360° in the circumferential direction.

8. Assembly (1) according to claim 6, wherein the thread is formed helically.

9. A method for aligning a first conduit (2) with a second conduit (3), comprising: a first adjusting ring (8) of the first conduit (2) formed at the first conduit end (5); A second adjusting ring (10) of the second conduit (3) is formed at the second conduit end (6); The first adjusting ring (8) has a first abutment surface (12), The second adjusting ring (10) has a second abutment surface (13). In the method, The first abutment surface (12) of the first adjusting ring (8) is arranged to face and contact the second abutment surface (13) of the second adjusting ring (10), the first abutment surface (12) forms the surface of a spherical disk; the second abutment surface (13) forms a surface of a spherical disk complementary to the surface of the first abutment surface (12), and the angular offset of the first conduit (2) relative to the second conduit (3) is adjusted by displacement of the first adjusting ring (8) along the surface of the spherical disk relative to the second adjusting ring (10); the second conduit (3) is provided with a third adjusting ring (11), and the second adjusting ring (10) and the third adjusting ring (11) are arranged to contact each other; By rotating the first adjusting ring (8) relative to the second adjusting ring (10), the distance between the first adjusting ring (8) and the second adjusting ring (10) in the axial direction (4) is adjusted; The second adjusting ring (10) and the third adjusting ring (11) are formed so as to be displaceable relative to each other along the axis (4). method.

10. 10. The method according to claim 9, wherein a seal is arranged between the first adjusting ring (8) and the second adjusting ring (10) in the circumferential direction (9).

11. The method of claim 9, wherein the first adjusting ring (8) is joined to the second adjusting ring (10) by material bonding.

12. 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the third adjusting ring (11) and the second adjusting ring (10) are joined to each other by means of screws (17).

13. 13. The method according to claim 12, wherein the threads of the screw (17) extend circumferentially over 360°.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the threads are helically formed.

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