Articulated joint

Abstract

The hinge joint includes an outer casing (1) and an inner casing (2), each of which is provided with a rolling track (3) in which balls (4) are mounted. If necessary, the rolling track (3) in the outer and inner casings can be made double (two parallel rolling tracks can be made side by side). In the outer casing (1) an annular recess (1.1) is made in which an internal seal (5) is installed, while between the annular recess and the outer casing an external seal (6) is installed with the formation of a control cavity (7) between the outer and inner seals. Also installed in the outer casing are a pressure sensor (8), as well as a plug (9), connected to the control cavity (7). Also, the control cavity (7) is connected through a channel (7.1) with a cavity (10) in which a gas analyzer (11) is installed. The technical result of the claimed utility model is a decrease in the weight of the hinge joint. 1 c.p. phyl., 3 fig.

Description

[0001] FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

[0002] The utility model relates to the field of mechanical engineering, in particular to the designs of articulated joints used in various parts and assemblies, for example, in articulated joints of pipelines.

[0003] STATE OF THE ART

[0004] A hinge joint is known from the prior art, including an outer and an inner housing, each of which is made with rolling tracks in which balls are installed, wherein one of the housings acts as a stator, and the other as a rotor (see RU 2585125 C2).

[0005] The technical problem inherent in the given analogue is the low operational safety of the articulated joint.

[0006] This technical problem is caused by the fact that the design of the articulated joint does not have a continuous automatic monitoring system for the condition of the seals, which does not allow the destruction of the internal sealing element to be detected before the release of a hazardous product (LNG / LPG) to the outside and leads to the accumulation of explosive concentrations of vapors in the installation area of ​​the articulated joint, which reduces the safety of the operation of the articulated joint.

[0007] The closest analogue is a hinge joint that includes an outer and inner housing, each of which is made with rolling tracks in which balls are installed, with one of the housings acting as a stator and the other as a rotor (see RU 2837446 U1).

[0008] The technical problem inherent in the given analogue is the low operational safety of the articulated joint.

[0009] This technical problem is caused by the fact that the design of the articulated joint does not have a system for continuous automatic monitoring of the condition of the seals, which does not allow the destruction of the internal sealing element to be detected before the release of a hazardous product (LNG / LPG) to the outside and leads to the accumulation of explosive concentrations of vapors in the installation area of ​​the articulated joint, which reduces the safety of the operation of the articulated joint.

[0010] REVEALING THE ESSENCE

[0011] The technical result is to increase the safety of operation of the articulated joint due to continuous monitoring of the tightness of the seals.

[0012] The stated technical result is achieved by a hinged joint, including an outer and inner housing, each of which is made with a rolling track in which balls are installed, with one of the housings acting as a stator, and the other as a rotor.

[0013] An annular recess is made in the outer casing, in which an internal seal is installed, and an external seal is installed between the annular recess and the outer casing, forming a control cavity between the outer and inner seals; a pressure sensor and a plug are also installed in the outer casing, connected to the control cavity, and the control cavity is connected through a channel to the cavity in which the gas analyzer is installed.

[0014] Due to the fact that an annular recess is made in which an internal seal is installed, while an external seal is installed between the annular recess and the outer casing, forming a control cavity between the outer and inner seals, and a pressure sensor and a plug are also installed in the outer casing, connected to the control cavity, while the cavity is connected through a channel to the cavity in which the gas analyzer is installed, the proposed technical solution makes it possible to detect the destruction of the internal seal at an early stage due to continuous monitoring of the pressure and composition of the gas in the control cavity between the two sealing barriers.

[0015] When the internal seal is damaged, the product (LNG / LPG) under operating pressure penetrates into the control cavity, displacing nitrogen and reducing the pressure.

[0016] The sensors register a pressure drop of 0.1 bar in 24 hours, which is a diagnostic sign of a microleak of 10 -4up to 10 -6 l / s until the gas exits through the outer seal.

[0017] At the same time, the gas analyzer detects the appearance of methane in the control cavity, confirming the fact of a leak.

[0018] The system generates an alarm signal and automatically limits the flow, preventing the accumulation of explosive concentrations in the berth area. To perform this function, a microcontroller connected to a pressure sensor can be installed on the outer casing.

[0019] All the above design features of the articulated joint allow for increased operational safety of the articulated joint due to continuous monitoring of the seal tightness and contribute to achieving the stated technical result.

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] The claimed utility model is explained by illustrative material, where: Fig. 1 shows a general view of the hinge joint in section from the side; Fig. 2 shows view A in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 shows view B in Fig. 1.

[0022] The positions on the figures indicated are:

[0023] pos. 1 - outer casing;

[0024] pos. 1.1 - annular recess;

[0025] pos. 2 - inner casing;

[0026] pos. 3 - rolling track;

[0027] pos. 4 - ball;

[0028] pos. 5 - internal seal;

[0029] pos. 6 - outer seal;

[0030] pos. 7 - control cavity;

[0031] pos. 7.1 - channel connecting the control cavity with the gas analyzer;

[0032] pos. 8 - pressure sensor;

[0033] pos. 9 - plug;

[0034] pos. 10 - cavity for installing a gas analyzer;

[0035] pos. 11 - gas analyzer.

[0036] IMPLEMENTATION OF A UTILITY MODEL

[0037] The claimed utility model is implemented as follows.

[0038] The hinge joint includes an outer housing 1 (Fig. 1) and an inner housing 2, each of which is made with a rolling track 3 in which balls 4 are installed.

[0039] If necessary, the outer and inner casings can have double raceway 3 (two parallel raceways can be made side by side).

[0040] In the outer casing 1, an annular recess 1.1 is made (Fig. 2), in which an internal seal 5 is installed, while between the annular recess and the outer casing, an external seal 6 is installed with the formation of a control cavity 7 between the external and internal seals.

[0041] Also installed in the outer casing is a pressure sensor 8, as well as a plug 9, connected to the control cavity 7. Also, the control cavity 7 is connected through channel 7.1 with the cavity 10, in which the gas analyzer 11 is installed.

[0042] In a preferred embodiment of the design, a microcontroller (not shown) is mounted on the outer housing and connected to a pressure sensor.

[0043] Also, in a preferred embodiment, the internal seal is designed as a circular ring with a cutout. The proposed technical solution can be used in articulated joints, for example, in loading arms, loading, and handling hoses, articulated pipelines and manipulators, loading arms for use at oil, chemical, and gas terminals in sea and river ports, in loading and unloading systems for rail tank cars and tank trucks, hose loading systems, bunkering systems for refueling sea and river vessels, as well as in various other components and machines requiring a articulated joint.

Claims

1. A hinged joint comprising an outer and an inner housing, each of which is provided with a rolling track in which balls are installed, wherein one of the housings acts as a stator, and the other as a rotor, characterized in that an annular recess is formed in the outer housing in which an internal seal is installed, wherein an external seal is installed between the annular recess and the outer housing, forming a control cavity between the outer and inner seals, and a pressure sensor and a plug are also installed in the outer housing, connected to the control cavity, wherein the cavity is connected through a channel to a cavity in which a gas analyzer is installed.

2. A hinge joint according to paragraph 1, characterized in that a microcontroller connected to a pressure sensor is installed on the outer casing.

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