Outlet line closure having a filter
Patent Information
- Application Number
- PCT/EP2025/051400
- Authority / Receiving Office
- WO · WO
- Patent Type
- Applications
- Current Assignee / Owner
- Priority Date
- 2024-03-07
- Filing Date
- 2025-01-21
- Publication Date
- 2025-10-02
AI Technical Summary
Existing outlet line closures are costly due to the need for expensive valve devices and require maintenance, while environmental influences can penetrate the lines, affecting functionality and flow consistency.
A cost-effective outlet line closure with a partially closing front end and filter structure, formed as a single piece, that prevents external elements from entering the line while ensuring uniform fluid outflow, using injection molding or extrusion methods.
Achieves a maintenance-free solution that effectively filters out dust, moisture, and other external elements, maintaining consistent fluid flow and reducing manufacturing costs.
Smart Images

Figure EP2025051400_02102025_PF_FP_ABST
Abstract
Description
[0001] Outlet line closure with filter
[0002] The invention relates to an outlet line closure for fluid-tight connection to an outlet line according to the preamble of claim 1.
[0003] Known closure concepts for fluid lines such as outlet or discharge lines are often associated with high costs in manufacturing and implementation because they usually require relatively expensive valve devices.
[0004] More cost-effective solutions often rely on cover elements and corresponding connecting links. This inherently requires maintenance of the outlet line closure connection, which in turn also involves time and expense. Furthermore, environmental influences can penetrate the lines and negatively impact functionality and consistent flow conditions.
[0005] It is therefore an object of the invention to overcome these and other disadvantages of the prior art and to provide an improved, maintenance-free and cost-effective outlet line closure which protects the outlet line from external influences.
[0006] Main features of the invention are defined in the characterizing part of claim 1. Embodiments are the subject of claims 2 to 10.
[0007] In an outlet line closure having a nozzle section for fluid-tight connection to one end of an outlet line and having an outlet section for discharging a fluid in the flow direction, the invention provides that the outlet section of the closure comprises a front end which partially closes the end of the outlet line in such a way that the fluid can flow out of the outlet section in the flow direction, wherein the penetration of external elements into the outlet section and into the outlet line is at least partially prevented.
[0008] This advantageously achieves a uniform outflow of the fluid while simultaneously preventing excessive penetration of external elements into the outlet line.
[0009] Because the front end partially blocks and partially opens the flow, it creates a positive filtering function against external elements that could otherwise penetrate the pipe from the environment. This applies, for example, to external elements such as dust, gravel, moisture, or water, which are effectively blocked or filtered out.
[0010] The fact that this effect is achieved through the design of the front end of the outlet section also results in a very cost-effective solution overall that does not require any further maintenance work.
[0011] The outlet line closure can preferably be configured as a hollow cylinder. Further preferably, the outlet line closure can be manufactured, for example, by an injection molding process or by extrusion. Further preferably, the outlet line closure can comprise a polymer. It is even more preferred that the outlet line closure be formed as a single piece and made of a single material. These manufacturing methods have proven particularly cost-effective and simple, both individually and in combination.
[0012] According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the outlet line closure can be hollow, with the outlet line closure having a substantially cylindrical shape. "Substantially cylindrical" can, for example, mean a conical widening or tapering. Alternatively, the shape of the outlet line closure can preferably be non-cylindrical.
[0013] According to a preferred embodiment, the front end of the outlet section can have a filter structure, which can be formed by a plurality of recesses. This advantageously effectively blocks and filters external elements and influences. At the same time, it ensures the outflow of fluid from the outlet line and the outlet section of the closure. The recesses can be produced cost-effectively, for example, by simple turning or milling, or directly by injection molding.
[0014] Preferably, the filter structure of the front end can be designed such that a constant outflow of the fluid is established when the outlet line closure is connected to the outlet line. When the outlet line closure is connected to the outlet line, a common fluid channel is preferably formed, allowing the fluid to flow in the flow direction and out of the line.
[0015] According to an alternative preferred embodiment, it can further be provided that the filter structure of the outlet section is arranged inside the outlet line. This can lead to advantages in terms of installation space and flow dynamics.
[0016] According to a further preferred embodiment, the recesses of the filter structure can be aligned in the flow direction, whereby the recesses can completely extend through the front end of the outlet section. This achieves a uniform flow and ensures that a sufficiently high flow rate is present at the front end of the outlet section. The fluid can thus flow through the recesses in a nearly straight line and outward. The flow lines advantageously do not change their direction because the alignment of the recesses is adapted to the flow direction.
[0017] According to an alternative preferred embodiment, the outlet section can comprise circumferentially arranged radial recesses that form the filter structure in the radial direction. This alternative design ensures that the outflow is not axial in the direction of flow, but rather radial to the actual flow direction of the fluid. This can lead to positive effects in terms of installation space and ensures a more flexible installation situation.
[0018] Preferably, the recesses can be conical. The conical shape further supports the limitation of external influences, effectively preventing external elements from penetrating the outlet line. Forming a conical recess has proven particularly simple and cost-effective, thus further reducing costs and achieving the desired effect. Preferably, the front end can have an inner side and an outer side, wherein the recesses can be formed between the inner and outer sides of the front end.
[0019] According to a further preferred embodiment, the recesses on the inside of the front end can be larger than those on the outside of the front end. This advantageously ensures that the fluid flow can be accommodated with a sufficiently large diameter. At the same time, on the opposite side, on the outside, it is advantageously ensured that the outer elements are filtered out and blocked, preventing them from entering the interior of the lines.
[0020] According to a further preferred embodiment, the conical recesses on the inside of the front end can have larger diameters, while the conical recesses on the outside of the front end can have smaller diameters. The conical shape further supports the desired dual function of outflow and filtering and is advantageously easy to implement. The smaller diameters of the conical recesses on the outside advantageously prevent external influences from entering the lines. The larger diameters of the conical recesses on the inside absorb sufficient flow volumes and guide them through the front end.
[0021] Preferably, the larger diameter on the inside can be at least twice as large as the smaller diameter on the outside of the front end.
[0022] Preferably, a flange portion can be provided, wherein the flange portion is arranged between the nozzle portion and the outlet portion. Further preferably, the flange portion can have a stop surface that bears against the end of the outlet line when the outlet line closure is connected with its nozzle portion to the end of the outlet line. This ensures secure fixation. At the same time, an axial stop is provided, which determines positioning and improves handling during connection. The flange portion can preferably have a larger diameter than the nozzle and / or outlet portion of the outlet line closure.
[0023] According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the nozzle section can be introduced into the outlet line for fluid-tight connection. Preferably, the nozzle section can have at least one annular groove, in which at least one sealing element can preferably be provided for sealing the connection. Further preferably, the nozzle section can comprise a fir-tree structure. This provides a secure connection that cannot be broken by axial forces.
[0024] According to another alternative preferred embodiment, the outlet line can be inserted into the connecting piece section for fluid-tight connection. The connecting piece section can be correspondingly larger on its side facing the outlet line end in order to accommodate the outlet line during connection. This provides an alternative, quick, and simple connection variant. Configuring the connecting piece end as a larger, sleeve-shaped receiving component can prove simpler and more cost-effective, while achieving the same fastening advantages and values.
[0025] Further features, details, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the wording of the claims and from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. They show:
[0026] Fig. 1 is a schematic side view of an outlet line closure according to the invention at one end of a fluid line,
[0027] Fig. 2 shows the outlet line closure from Fig. 1 with schematically shown flow lines,
[0028] Fig. 3 is a schematic detailed view of a filter structure of the outlet line closure according to the invention.
[0029] Corresponding individual elements are provided with identical reference numerals below.
[0030] The outlet line closure, generally designated 10 in Fig. 1, comprises a nozzle section 11 for fluid-tight connection to one end of an outlet line 1 and an outlet section 13 for discharging a fluid in the flow direction x. The nozzle section 11 is inserted into the outlet line 1 for fluid-tight connection and has an annular groove 11' in which a corresponding sealing element (not shown) can be positioned to seal the connection.
[0031] The fluid flows downstream in the flow direction x through a common fluid channel 1' of the outlet line 1 and the outlet line closure 10 when the outlet line closure 10 is connected to the outlet line 1, as shown by way of example in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2. In Fig. 2, additional flow lines 20 are schematically illuminated, which are led through the fluid channel 1' and out of the outlet section 13 of the closure.
[0032] As can be seen schematically in Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the outlet line closure 10, or rather the nozzle and outlet sections 11, 13 of the outlet line closure 10, are formed as a single piece. At the same time, the elements shown are formed from a single material.
[0033] The outlet line closure 10 is hollow-cylindrical and extends the fluid channel 1' in the flow direction x. The outlet section 13 of the outlet line closure 10 comprises a front end 3. The front end 3 only partially closes the end of the outlet line 1 in such a way that the fluid can flow out of the outlet section 13 in the flow direction x, preventing the penetration of external elements into the outlet section 13 and into the outlet line 1.
[0034] In the connected state, the outlet section 13 is arranged completely outside the outlet line 1, whereas the nozzle section 11 is arranged completely inside the outlet line 1. Alternatively, the outlet section 13 can also be arranged inside the outlet line 1 in the connected state (not shown).
[0035] A flange section 12 is provided between the nozzle section 11 and the outlet section 13, wherein the flange section 12 has a stop surface 12' which bears against the end of the outlet line 1.
[0036] By adding Fig. 3, the area of the front end 3 of the outlet section 13 is illuminated in more detail.
[0037] The front end 3 of the outlet section 13 has a filter structure 5, wherein the filter structure 5 is formed by a plurality of recesses 2, which are distributed over the entire circular surface of the front end 3. The filter structure 5 of the
[0038] The front end 3 is designed in such a way that a constant outflow of the fluid is set when the outlet line closure 10 is connected to the outlet line 1.
[0039] The recesses 2 of the filter structure 5 are conical and aligned in the flow direction x. The recesses 2 extend completely through the front end 3 of the outlet section 13.
[0040] The front end 3 has an inner side 7 and an outer side 8, with the conical recesses 2 being formed between the inner and outer sides 7, 8 of the front end 3. The conical recesses 2 have a larger diameter 2' on the inner side 7 of the front end 3, while the conical recesses 2 have a smaller diameter 2" on the outer side 8 of the front end 3.
[0041] The invention is not limited to the previously described embodiments, but can be modified in a variety of ways. In particular, the precise shape of the recesses does not necessarily have to be conical or nearly conical. The exact material combination and number of recesses, as well as the precise dimensions of the diameters on the inner and outer sides, can also vary to ensure that the specified relationships and technical conditions are maintained.
[0042] The outlet line closure according to the invention can generally be used to partially close a fluid line such as an outlet or discharge line and at the same time filter external influences.
[0043] All features and advantages arising from the claims, the description, and the drawings, including design details, spatial arrangements, and method steps, may be essential to the invention both individually and in a wide variety of combinations. Reference numerals list x Flow direction Fluid
[0044] 1 outlet line (fluid line)
[0045] 1' fluid channel
[0046] 2 recesses (filter structure)
[0047] 2' large diameter
[0048] 2" small diameter
[0049] 3 Front end (outlet section)
[0050] 5 Filter structure
[0051] 7 Inside (front end)
[0052] 8 Outside (front end)
[0053] 10 Outlet line closure
[0054] 11 nozzle section
[0055] 11' ring groove
[0056] 12 Flange section
[0057] 12' stop surface
[0058] 13 Outlet section
[0059] 20 flow lines
Claims
Patent claims 1. Outlet line closure (10) with a nozzle section (11) for fluid-tight connection to one end of an outlet line (1) and with an outlet section (13) for discharging a fluid in the flow direction (x), characterized in that the outlet section (13) of the closure comprises a front end (3) which partially closes the end of the outlet line (1) in such a way that the fluid can flow out of the outlet section (13) in the flow direction (x), wherein the penetration of external elements into the outlet section (13) and into the outlet line (1) is at least partially prevented.
2. Outlet line closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the front end (3) of the outlet section (13) has a filter structure (5), wherein the filter structure (5) is formed by a plurality of recesses (2).
3. Outlet line closure according to claim 2, characterized in that the recesses (2) of the filter structure (5) are aligned in the flow direction (x), wherein the recesses (2) completely penetrate the front end (3) of the outlet section (13).
4. Outlet line closure according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the recesses (2) are conical.
5. Outlet line closure according to one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the recesses (2) on an inner side (7) of the front end (3) are larger in dimension than on an outer side (8) of the front end (3).
6. Outlet line closure according to claim 4 and 5, characterized in that the conical recesses (2) have larger diameters (2') on the inside (7) of the front end (3), wherein the conical recesses (2) have smaller diameters (2") on the outside (8) of the front end (3).
7. Outlet line closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a flange section (12) is provided, wherein the Flange section (12) is arranged between the nozzle section (11) and the outlet section (13).
8. Outlet line closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the outlet line closure comprises a polymeric material.
9. Outlet line closure according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the nozzle section (11) can be introduced into the outlet line (1) for fluid-tight connection.
10. Outlet line closure according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the outlet line (1) can be introduced into the nozzle section (11) for fluid-tight connection.