Device and method for removing a sealing ring from an injector

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (2) for removing a sealing ring (42) from an injector (40), in particular from a hydrogen injector (40), comprising: a receptacle (14) for receiving a portion (41) of the injector (40) on which the sealing ring (42) is arranged; and at least one cutting edge (22) which is movable relative to the receptacle (14) and which is arranged and designed such that the sealing ring (42) can be severed by moving the at least one cutting edge (22) relative to the receptacle (14).

Description

[0001] Description

[0002] title

[0003] The invention relates to a device and a method for removing a sealing ring from an injector; in particular from a hydrogen injector intended for injecting hydrogen into the combustion chamber of a hydrogen engine.

[0004] State of the art

[0005] Injection valves, also known as "injectors", are used to inject hydrogen and other fluid energy carriers into the combustion chamber of an internal combustion engine.

[0006] These injectors are sealed against the engine housing by sealing rings, especially Teflon rings. For repair and / or maintenance purposes, it may be necessary to remove the sealing ring from the injector.

[0007] Known tools used to remove sealing rings from conventional fuel injectors, see e.g. DE 10 2017 222 173 A1, are not suitable for hydrogen injectors due to their larger dimensions compared to conventional fuel injectors.

[0008] Adapting existing tools for removing sealing rings from hydrogen injectors is expensive and not economically attractive due to the small quantities required so far.

[0009] It is therefore an object of the invention to provide a cost-effective device and a cost-effective method that facilitate the removal of sealing rings from hydrogen injectors. Disclosure of the invention

[0010] A device according to the invention, also referred to as an "injector ring removal tool", for removing a sealing ring from an injector, in particular from a hydrogen injector, comprises a receptacle for receiving a section of the injector on which the sealing ring is arranged; and at least one cutting edge movable linearly or in a straight line relative to the receptacle, which is arranged and designed such that the sealing ring can be cut by moving the at least one cutting edge linearly or in a straight line relative to the receptacle.

[0011] A method for removing a sealing ring from an injector, in particular from a hydrogen injector, comprises the steps of: (A) inserting a section of the injector, on which the sealing ring is arranged, into a receptacle formed in a first jaw; and (B) linearly or rectilinearly moving a second jaw, on which at least one cutting edge is formed, relative to the first jaw, such that the at least one cutting edge cuts through the sealing ring.

[0012] An inventive device and a method according to the invention make it possible, particularly also under workshop conditions, to remove the sealing ring quickly and safely from the injector without damaging the injector.

[0013] With a device and a method according to the invention, the sealing ring can be removed from the injector reproducibly with consistent results.

[0014] The linear movement of at least one cutting edge relative to the injector receptacle according to the invention enables a particularly simple and cost-effective design and easy operation of a device according to the invention.

[0015] The costs of manufacturing a device according to the invention are quickly recouped due to the speed with which the sealing ring can be removed. This is especially true considering that when using a device according to the invention, there is no risk of damaging the injector or injuring oneself when removing the sealing ring. A device according to the invention is easy to use and reusable.

[0016] In one embodiment, the device comprises a cutting element on which at least one cutting edge is formed and which is movable relative to the receiver.

[0017] In one embodiment, the cutting element has two cutting edges. The two cutting edges can, in particular, be positioned opposite each other, so that the injector with the sealing ring is arranged between the two cutting edges.

[0018] Two cutting edges, which are designed to be opposite each other, make it possible to cut through the sealing ring particularly efficiently, so that it can be removed from the injector particularly easily.

[0019] In one embodiment, the cutting element has a cutting element opening, in particular an omega-shaped cutting element opening, and the two cutting edges are formed at the edges of the cutting element opening. With such a cutting element, two opposing cutting edges can be provided particularly easily and cost-effectively.

[0020] In one embodiment, the device according to the invention has at least one guide element which is designed to guide the movement of the cutting element relative to the receiving in such a way that the at least one cutting edge of the cutting element cuts through the sealing ring safely and reliably.

[0021] The at least one guide element can, for example, be designed as a guide pin, in particular as a cylindrical guide pin.

[0022] In one embodiment, a device according to the invention additionally comprises at least one retaining element which is movable together with the at least one cutting edge and which is designed to hold and fix the section of the injector in the receptacle. In one embodiment, a method according to the invention comprises applying the retaining element to the section of the injector on which the sealing ring is arranged by moving the second jaw in order to fix the section of the injector in the receptacle.

[0023] Once the injector has been fixed in the holder by the retaining element, the sealing ring can be cut particularly safely and reliably by at least one cutting edge.

[0024] In one embodiment, the retaining element has a retaining element opening that can be applied to a section of the injector arranged in the receptacle in order to fix the section of the injector in the receptacle. The retaining element opening can, in particular, be U-shaped.

[0025] The retaining element opening can, in particular, have an entrance area with sloping walls so that the retaining element opening can be applied to the injector in a radial direction particularly easily, especially without tilting.

[0026] In one embodiment, at least one cutting edge extends along a longitudinal / axial direction of the injector when the injector section is arranged in the receptacle. The sealing ring can thus be reliably cut through with a cut aligned with the longitudinal / axial direction of the injector.

[0027] In one embodiment, at least one cutting edge is movable orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the injector in order to cut through the sealing ring.

[0028] In one embodiment, the device has a first jaw and a second jaw, the second jaw being linearly or rectilinearly movable relative to the first jaw. The receptacle is formed in the first jaw, and the at least one cutting edge is formed on the second jaw. With the aid of two jaws that are linearly or rectilinearly movable relative to each other, the at least one cutting edge and the receptacle can be moved relative to each other simply, reliably, and safely.

[0029] The guide element can be configured, in particular, to guide the movement of the two jaws relative to each other. In one embodiment, the device according to the invention has at least one elastic element configured to press the two jaws into a starting position in which the two jaws are spaced apart from each other and in which the at least one cutting edge is not in contact with a sealing ring arranged in the receptacle.

[0030] When the two jaws are in the starting position, at least one cutting edge is positioned outside the receptacle, so that a section of the injector can simply be inserted into the receptacle.

[0031] At least one elastic element can be designed as a spring, in particular as a coil spring.

[0032] The at least one elastic element can be arranged between one of the guide elements, in particular an end face of one of the guide elements, and a jaw that is movable relative to the guide element.

[0033] In one embodiment, the receptacle has a cylindrical bore for receiving the injector, in particular for receiving a section of the injector on which the sealing ring is arranged. The injector can be received, held, and fixed particularly securely in a cylindrical bore.

[0034] In one embodiment, the receptacle has a conically shaped inlet area to simplify the insertion of the injector into the receptacle.

[0035] In the following, an embodiment of a device according to the invention for removing a sealing ring from an injector is described with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0036] Brief description of the characters

[0037] Figure 1 shows an injector with a sealing ring applied to the injector. Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a device according to the invention for removing the sealing ring from the injector.

[0038] Figure 3 shows a side view of the device 2 shown in Figure 1.

[0039] Figure 4 shows a section through the device 2 shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0040] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the cutting element of a device according to the invention.

[0041] Figure 6 shows a side view of the cutting element.

[0042] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the holding element of a device according to the invention.

[0043] Figure 8 shows a first side view of the retaining element.

[0044] Figure 9 shows a second side view of the retaining element.

[0045] Figure 10 shows an injector whose tip is inserted into a device according to the invention.

[0046] Figure 11 shows in a perspective view the device according to the invention, an injector from which the sealing ring has been removed, and a sealing ring cut in two places.

[0047] Character description

[0048] An embodiment of the invention is described below with reference to the accompanying figures.

[0049] Figure 1 shows an injector 40 with a sealing ring 42, for example a Teflon ring 42.

[0050] The injector 40 has several cylindrical sections 41, 43, 45 with different diameters. In the illustration of Figure 1, the diameters of the cylindrical sections 41, 43, 45 increase from right to left. The sealing ring 42 is inserted into a groove 47 (not visible in Figure 1) formed on a first section 41 of the injector 40, which has a small diameter.

[0051] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a device 2 according to the invention (“injector ring removal tool”) for removing the sealing ring 42 from the injector 40.

[0052] Figure 3 shows a side view of the device 2 shown in Figure 1, and Figure 4 shows a section through the device 2 shown in Figures 2 and 3.

[0053] The device 2 comprises a first jaw 4 and a second jaw 6, which are movable relative to each other in a linear or straight line.

[0054] As can be seen in Figures 3 and 4, the device 2 has two guide elements 8, in particular guide pins 8, which are fixed in the first jaw 4 and extend into two corresponding guide openings formed in the second jaw 6. The second jaw 6 is movable linearly or in a straight line along the longitudinal extent of the two guide elements 8.

[0055] In an alternative embodiment, which is not explicitly shown in the figures, the guide elements 8 can also be attached to the second jaw 6, and the first jaw 4 can be movable relative to the guide elements 8.

[0056] The two guide elements 8 can, in particular, be designed as cylindrical pins. The cylindrical pins 8 can each have a diameter between 3 mm and 5 mm, in particular a diameter of 3.5 mm, and a length between 35 mm and 40 mm, in particular a length of 38.5 mm.

[0057] An elastic element 10, in particular a coil spring 10, is arranged between an end face of the guide elements 8 and the second jaw 6. The elastic elements 10 compress the second jaw 6 away from the guide elements 8 and the first jaw 4, so that when no external force is applied to the jaws 4, 6, a gap 12 is formed between the two jaws 4, 6. The gap can have a width b in the range of 4 mm to 14 mm.

[0058] Grip recesses 5, 7 are formed on the outer sides of the two jaws 4, 6 facing away from each other to facilitate the handling and operation of the device 2.

[0059] In the first jaw 4 a receptacle 14 is formed for receiving the section 41 of the injector 40, on which the sealing ring 42 is arranged.

[0060] The receptacle 14 is designed in particular as a cylindrical bore which extends transversely, in particular orthogonally, to the guide elements 8 through the first jaw 4.

[0061] The receptacle 14 has a conically shaped entry area 16 or edge, which allows the injector 40 to be inserted into the receptacle.

[0062] A cutting element 20 is fixed in the second jaw 6. The cutting element 20 has at least one cutting edge 22, which is designed to cut through the sealing ring 42 so that the sealing ring 42 can be easily removed from the injector 40.

[0063] Figure 5 shows a perspective view of the cutting element 20, and Figure 6 shows a side view of the cutting element 20.

[0064] The cutting element 20 has several bores 26, 27 which make it possible to guide the guide elements 8 through the cutting element 20 and to fix the cutting element 20, for example with a screw not shown in the figures, in the second jaw 6.

[0065] The cutting element 20 also has an omega-shaped cutting element opening 24, the open side of which faces the first jaw 4 when the two jaws 4, 6 are connected to each other by the guide elements 8, as shown in Figures 2 to 4.

[0066] The omega shape of the cutting element opening 24 allows parts of the severed sealing ring 42 to fall out of the cutting element 20, so that they do not interrupt the cutting process and do not clog the device 2.

[0067] The diameter Di of the round area of ​​the cutting element opening 24 is matched to the outer diameter of the injector 40 to be machined. The cutting element opening 24 can, for example, have a diameter in the range of 10 mm to 15 mm, in particular a diameter Di of 13 mm.

[0068] At the inner ends, especially at the end edges, of the omega-shaped cutting element opening 24, a cutting edge 22 is formed which extends along the thickness direction of the cutting element 20.

[0069] The cutting element 20 can, for example, have a thickness d in the range of 2 mm to 5 mm, in particular a thickness d of 3.5 mm.

[0070] In addition, a holding element 30 is fixed in the second jaw 6, which together with the second jaw 6 and the cutting element 20 is movable relative to the first jaw 4.

[0071] Figure 7 shows a perspective view of the retaining element 30. Figures 8 and 9 each show a side view of the retaining element 30 from different directions.

[0072] The retaining element 30 also has several bores 36, 37 which make it possible to guide the guide elements 8 through the retaining element 30 and to fix the retaining element 30 in the second jaw 6, for example with a screw not shown in the figures.

[0073] The bores 36, 37 formed in the retaining element 30 are arranged in particular coaxially to the bores 26, 27 formed in the cutting element 20 when the cutting element 20 and the retaining element 30 are fixed in the second jaw 6 as shown in Figures 2 to 4.

[0074] The retaining element 30 has a U-shaped retaining element opening 34, the open side of which faces the first jaw 4 when the retaining element 30 is attached to the second jaw 6, as shown in Figures 2 to 4. The opening direction of the omega-shaped cutting element opening 24 in the cutting element 20 and the opening direction of the U-shaped retaining element opening 34 in the retaining element 30 are aligned parallel to each other, as can be clearly seen in Figure 4. This allows the two openings 24, 34 to be applied together, via their open sides, to an injector 40, which is arranged in the receptacle 14.

[0075] The retaining element 30 can be formed in a stepped manner with a thicker area 31 in which the bores 36 are formed, and with a thinner area 33 in which the U-shaped retaining element opening 34 is formed, as shown in Figure 9.

[0076] The thicker area 31 of the retaining element 30 can, for example, have a thickness di in the range of 10 mm to 15 mm, in particular a thickness di of 12 mm, and the thinner area 33 can, for example, have a thickness d2 in the range of 3 mm to 7 mm, in particular a thickness d2 of 5 mm.

[0077] The thicker area 31 can, for example, have a length Li in the range of 10 mm to 15 mm, in particular a length Li of 12 mm, and the thinner area 33 can, for example, have a length L2 in the range of 10 mm to 20 mm, in particular a thickness d2 of 15 mm.

[0078] The diameter D2 of the U-shaped retaining element opening 34 is matched to the diameter of the injector 40 to be machined. The U-shaped retaining element opening 34 of the retaining element 30 can, for example, have a diameter D2 in the range of 10 mm to 12 mm, in particular a diameter D2 of 11 mm.

[0079] The U-shaped retaining element opening 34 of the retaining element 30 is laterally bounded by two legs 32 which extend parallel to each other on both sides of the U-shaped retaining element opening 34 away from the thicker area 31.

[0080] The ends of the legs 32 facing the U-shaped retaining element opening 34 have chamfered insertion surfaces 38, which facilitate the application of the U-shaped retaining element opening 34 to an injector 40. The chamfered insertion surfaces 38 can, in particular, be designed such that they define an opening angle α of the U-shaped retaining element opening 34 in the range between 15° and 25°, and in particular an opening angle α of 20°.

[0081] As can be seen in Figure 4, the retaining element 30 is designed and arranged in the second jaw 6 such that the U-shaped retaining element opening 34 of the retaining element 30 is applied to an injector 40 arranged in the receptacle 14 in front of the omega-shaped cutting element opening 24 of the cutting element 20 when the second jaw 6 with the cutting element 20 and the retaining element 30 is moved in the direction of the first jaw 4, in which the receptacle 14 for the injector 40 is formed.

[0082] An injector 40 arranged in the receptacle 14 is thus fixed by the retaining element 30 before it comes into contact with the cutting element 20, in particular with the cutting edges 22 of the cutting element 20.

[0083] In the following, with reference to Figures 10 and 11, a method for removing a sealing ring 42 from an injector 40 using a device 2 according to the invention is described.

[0084] First, injector 40 must be removed from the engine according to the manufacturer's instructions and prepared for the removal of the sealing ring 42.

[0085] Then the section 41 of the injector 40, on which the sealing ring 42 is provided, is carefully inserted into the receptacle 14 of a device 2 according to the invention for removing the sealing ring 42, as shown in Figure 10.

[0086] The tip of the injector 40 is inserted into the receptacle 14 to such an extent that the second section 43 of the injector 40, which has a larger diameter than the first section 41 on which the sealing ring 42 is located, abuts the end face of the first back 4. The sealing ring 42 is then correctly positioned in the receptacle 14.

[0087] Due to the conical shape of the inlet area 16, the injector 40 cannot be inserted incorrectly into the receptacle 14. After the section 41 of the injector 40, on which the sealing ring 42 is formed, has been inserted into the receptacle 14, the two jaws 4, 6 are pressed against each other by muscular force, in particular by hand, against the force of the elastic elements 10.

[0088] This first applies the U-shaped retaining element opening 34 of the retaining element 30 to the injector 40, thereby fixing the injector 40 in the receptacle 14.

[0089] By further compressing the two jaws 4, 6, the omega-shaped cutting element opening 24, which is formed in the cutting element 20, is then also applied to the section 41 of the injector 40, on which the sealing ring 42 is located.

[0090] During this movement, the two cutting edges 22, which are formed on the edges of the omega-shaped cutting element opening 24 on the cutting element 20, penetrate the sealing ring 42 in a radial direction and cut through it, so that the sealing ring 42 falls off the injector 40 or can be very easily removed from the injector 40 in two parts.

[0091] Figure 11 shows a perspective view of the device 2 according to the invention, the injector 40 without the sealing ring 42, and the sealing ring 42 cut in two places. Figure 11 also shows the groove 47 in which the sealing ring 42 was arranged.

[0092] The injector 40 and in particular the groove 47 can now be cleaned, and a new sealing ring 42 can be applied to the injector 40.

Claims

1. Device (2) for removing a sealing ring (42) from an injector (40), in particular from a hydrogen injector (40), wherein the device (2) comprises: a receptacle (14) for receiving a section (41) of the injector (40) on which the sealing ring (42) is arranged; and at least one cutting edge (22) that is linearly movable relative to the receptacle (14) and is arranged and designed such that the sealing ring (42) can be cut by linearly moving the at least one cutting edge (22) relative to the receptacle (14).

2. Device (2) according to claim 1 , with a cutting element (20) on which at least one cutting edge (22) is formed and which is movable relative to the receptacle (14).

3. Device (2) according to claim 2, wherein two cutting edges (22) are formed on the cutting element (20), wherein the two cutting edges (22) are in particular formed opposite each other.

4. Device (2) according to claim 3, wherein the cutting element (20) has a cutting element opening (24), in particular an omega-shaped cutting element opening (24), and wherein the two cutting edges (22) are formed at the edges of the omega-shaped cutting element opening (24).

5. Device (2) according to one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the device (2) has at least one guide element (8) which is designed to guide the linear movement of the cutting element (20) relative to the receiving (14), wherein the at least one guide element (8) is in particular designed as a cylindrical guide pin (8).

6. Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (2) additionally has a retaining element (30) which is movable together with the at least one cutting edge (22) and which is designed to fix the section (41) of the injector (40) on which the sealing ring (42) is arranged in the receptacle (14).

7. Device (2) according to claim 6, wherein the retaining element (30) has a retaining element opening (36), in particular a U-shaped retaining element opening (36), which can be placed on the section (41) of the injector (40) on which the sealing ring (42) is arranged in the receptacle (14); wherein the retaining element opening (36) in particular has an entrance area with sloping walls.

8. Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one cutting edge (22) extends along a longitudinal direction of the injector (40) when the section (41) of the injector (40) on which the sealing ring (42) is arranged is arranged in the receptacle (14).

9. Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one cutting edge (22) is movable orthogonally to the longitudinal direction of the injector (40) in order to cut through the sealing ring (42).

10. Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the device (2) has a first jaw (4) and a second jaw (6), wherein the second jaw (6) is movable relative to the first jaw (4); wherein the receptacle (14) is formed in the first (4) jaw and wherein the at least one cutting edge (22) is formed on the second jaw (6).

11. Device (2) according to claim 10, wherein the device (2) has at least one elastic element (10) configured to press the two jaws (4, 6) into a starting position in which the two jaws (4, 6) are spaced apart from each other and in which the at least one cutting edge (22) is not in contact with a sealing ring (42) arranged in the receptacle (14).

12. Device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the receiving device (14) has a cylindrical bore, wherein the receiving device (14) in particular has a conically shaped entrance area (16) adjacent to the cylindrical bore.

13. Method for removing a sealing ring (42) from an injector (40), the method comprising: (A) Inserting a section (41) of the injector (40) on which the sealing ring (42) is arranged into a receptacle (14) formed in a first jaw (4); (B) linear movement of a second jaw (6) on which at least one cutting edge (22) is formed, relative to the first jaw (4) such that the at least one cutting edge (22) cuts through the sealing ring (42).

14. Method according to claim 13, wherein the method comprises applying a retaining element (30) to the section (41) of the injector (40) on which the sealing ring (42) is arranged by moving the second jaw (6) in order to fix the section (41) of the injector (40) in the receptacle (14).

Images