Device for reducing chips in cavities of technical devices

Abstract

The invention relates to a device (1) for reducing chips in cavities when machining technical devices (100), in particular aircraft engines. The device (1) comprises a platform element (10), which has at least one securing element (11) for securing to a technical device (100) in such a way that a through-opening (15) in the platform element (10) is aligned with an engagement opening (102) on the technical device (100), and a tubular suction arm element (20), which can be secured to the through-opening (15) of the platform element (10), for feeding through the engagement opening (102) in the technical device (100), the suction arm element being shaped such that the free and open end (21) thereof is aligned towards a specified region in the interior (104) of the technical device (100).

Description

01.09.2025 / BR Device for reducing chips in cavities of technical equipment

[0001] The invention relates to a device for reducing chips in cavities during the machining of technical equipment.

[0002] In the case of technical equipment, such as aircraft engines, maintenance or repair may require machining. For example, it may be necessary to mill out broken bolts from an internal thread in an opening of the equipment in order to insert a replacement bolt. If an internal thread in an opening of the equipment is damaged, the thread may need to be removed by machining and a new thread – then with a larger diameter – cut.

[0003] Depending on the technical equipment, and especially in the case of aircraft engines, for example, it is essential to completely remove all chips produced during machining. Depending on the equipment and the location of the machining operation, chip removal can be complex and may sometimes require the extensive disassembly of components to access chips from otherwise difficult-to-reach internal cavities.

[0004] The object of the present invention is to create a device to avoid or at least reduce chips in cavities during the machining of technical equipment.

[0005] This problem is solved by a device according to claim 1. Advantageous further developments are the subject of the dependent claims.

[0006] Accordingly, the invention relates to a device for reducing chips in cavities during the machining of technical equipment, in particular aircraft engines, comprising a platform element with at least one fastening element for attachment to a technical device such that a through-opening in the platform element is aligned with an engagement opening on the technical device, and a tubular suction arm element attachable to the through-opening of the platform element for passage through the engagement opening in the technical device, which is shaped such that its free and open end is directed towards a predetermined area inside the technical device.

[0007] The invention recognizes that in the case of machining a technical device, where chips can enter cavities of the technical device, an access opening is often present in the technical device near the area to be machined, through which a tubular suction arm element can be passed in order to be able to extract chips produced during machining immediately after they are generated on the inside of the technical device.

[0008] To reliably achieve such extraction, the device according to the invention comprises a tubular suction arm element, which is shaped so that it can be inserted into the technical device through the aforementioned access opening, and then directed with its free and open end towards a predetermined area inside the technical device. The suction arm element can be connected at its other end directly or indirectly, e.g., via a suction hose, to a suction blower. In the area towards which the free and open end of the suction arm element is directed, any chips that may be generated can then be extracted through the open end of the They are sucked up by the tubular suction arm element before they can enter cavities of the technical device.

[0009] To ensure that the suction arm element can be reliably positioned and held there permanently, the device according to the invention comprises a platform element to which the suction arm element can be attached and which itself can be attached to the technical device by means of at least one fastening element. For this purpose, the platform element includes a through-opening. The through-opening is designed such that, when the platform element is properly attached to the technical device, it aligns with the access opening on the technical device. Consequently, the suction arm element can be held permanently in a suitable position in the state inserted into the access opening by appropriate attachment to the platform element, which in turn is attached to the technical device, thus ensuring reliable extraction of chips from the desired area.

[0010] In principle, it may be sufficient if the suction arm element, with its open and free end, is simply positioned within the area inside the technical device where chips are generated. However, it is preferred if the suction arm element is shaped in such a way that a free and open end can be brought into contact with a predetermined area inside the technical device. This ensures that all chips generated in the area covered by the open and free end of the suction arm element can be reliably extracted by the suction arm element.

[0011] It is further preferred if the free end of the suction arm element has a circumferential lip made of an elastic material for sealing against a predetermined area in the The interior of the technical device is included. If the free and open end of the suction arm element is to rest against a predetermined area inside the technical device, a lip made of elastic material surrounding the opening at the free end can compensate for minor inaccuracies in the positioning of the suction arm element, thus ensuring a tight fit against the intended area. This ensures that even small chips can be reliably extracted. Furthermore, a circumferential lip made of elastic material at the free and open end of the suction arm element can protect the interior of the technical device from damage during insertion of the suction arm element.

[0012] The at least one fastening element on the platform element can comprise at least two elongated holes, preferably arranged at an angle to each other. The angle between the two elongated holes can be between 30° and 90°. If the fastening element is designed accordingly, the platform element can be attached to the technical device with fastening screws or bolts, the elongated holes allowing a certain degree of variability in the positioning of the platform element. If the elongated holes are arranged perpendicular to each other, a particularly high degree of variability in positioning can be achieved. If the elongated holes are arranged at a different angle to each other, the platform element can also be variably attached at different locations on the technical device where fastening options for fastening screws or bolts exist at different intervals.

[0013] It is generally possible for the suction arm element to be attached with one end to the feedthrough opening of the platform element, with the platform element being designed on the opposite side of the feedthrough opening for the direct or indirect connection of a suction blower. The suction arm element is designed in such a way that it can be passed through the opening in the platform element and protrudes from it, such that the end of the suction arm element not inserted into the technical device protrudes above the platform element. A suction blower can then be connected directly to the suction arm element, for example, by means of a suction hose. If necessary, it is also possible to adjust the position of the open and free end of the suction arm element even after it has been inserted into the technical device and positioned by means of the platform element. For this purpose, the part of the suction arm element protruding from the platform element can be rotated and / or moved axially to change the position of the open and free end of the suction arm element inside the technical device.

[0014] The suction arm element of the device according to the invention is generally designed to suit a specific task. Similarly, the platform element is generally designed to be attached to specific locations on a technical device. To increase the versatility of the device according to the invention, it is provided that the device comprises several platform elements and / or suction arm elements for variable exchange. The device is then a kit comprising several platform elements and / or suction arm elements, from which one platform element and one suction arm element are selected to actually form the device according to the invention.The selection of a suitable platform element and a suitable suction arm element is specifically tailored to the respective task, namely in such a way that the platform element can be suitablely attached to the technical device and that the selected suction arm element can actually reach the desired area inside the technical device.

[0015] The device can be connected to an external suction blower via a suction hose to extract chips through the open end of the suction arm element. Alternatively, the device itself can include a suction blower and a suction hose to connect the blower to the feedthrough opening on the platform element or to the suction arm element.

[0016] The suction arm element and the platform element of the device are preferably made of plastic. The optional lip at the free and open end of the suction arm element can, for example, be made of silicone.

[0017] The invention will now be described by way of example with reference to advantageous embodiments and the accompanying drawings. These show: Figure 1: a schematic representation of a first embodiment of a device according to the invention; and Figure 2: a schematic representation of a second embodiment of a device according to the invention.

[0018] Figure 1 shows a first embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention in its state of use on a technical device 100, which is only shown in outline. A schematic section AA is also shown.

[0019] The technical device 100, of which only a small portion of its housing 101 is shown, is an aircraft engine. The housing 101 includes an access opening 102 into which, under normal circumstances, a technical component of the aircraft engine is inserted, which in this case, however, is accessible for maintenance purposes. The component has been disassembled. Adjacent to the access opening 102, mounting holes 103 are provided for fastening the component in question, which has been disassembled here. The mounting holes 103 can, for example, have internal threads or be provided with an insert that includes an internal thread.

[0020] In the illustrated embodiment, machining is to be carried out in the area of ​​one of the four mounting holes 103 – namely, mounting hole 103'. This allows, for example, the removal of a damaged thread and / or the removal of a foreign object still located in the mounting hole 103' in question, such as the remains of a broken bolt. To prevent chips from entering the interior 104 of the technical device 100, the device 1 according to the invention is provided.

[0021] The device 1 comprises a platform element 10 and a tubular suction arm element 20, each made of plastic.

[0022] The platform element 10 comprises two elongated holes 12 as fastening elements 11, arranged at an angle of approximately 30° to each other. The platform element 10 is fastened to two of the mounting holes 103 in the technical device 100, where no machining is to take place, by means of two screws 13, each of which passes through one of the elongated holes 12.

[0023] The platform element 10 is attached via the fastening element 11 such that a through-opening 15 is essentially concentric with, or at least aligned with, the access opening 102 on the technical device 100. A suction hose 30 can be connected to the outward-facing side of the through-opening 15 on the platform element 10 as shown in its intended use state. also using an angled piece 31 to guide the suction hose 30 away from the mounting hole 103 to be machined (see section AA).

[0024] The tubular suction arm element 20 is attached by frictional connection to the inward-facing side of the feedthrough opening 15 of the device 1 in its operating state.

[0025] The suction arm element 20 is designed such that it can be inserted into the opening 102 when it is already attached to the platform element 10, but not yet attached to the technical device 100. At the same time, the suction arm element 20 is shaped such that, in the state of use shown in Figure 1 with the platform element 10 attached to the technical device 100, its free and open end 21 rests against the housing 101 inside the technical device 100 in a previously defined area, namely the area of ​​the mounting hole 103' to be machined. A circumferential lip 22 made of silicone – i.e., an elastic material – is provided at the free and open end 21 of the suction arm element, ensuring that the suction arm element 20 rests tightly against the housing 101 of the technical device 100.

[0026] As can be seen directly from the sectional view AA in Figure 1, when a suction blower (not shown) is connected to the suction hose 30, all chips produced during clamping in the area of ​​the mounting hole 103' can be extracted through the tubular suction arm element 20, the through-opening 15 in the platform element 10, and the suction hose 30 connected via an angled element 31. Due to the tight seal of the suction arm element 20 against the housing 101 of the technical device 100, this applies to chips of all sizes. This prevents chips from entering the interior of the technical device 100 uncontrollably, where they would then This effectively avoids the need for potentially costly removal later.

[0027] Figure 2 shows a second embodiment of a device 1 according to the invention. Due to the great similarity with the embodiment according to Figure 1, Figure 2 shows only a sectional view comparable to section AA from Figure 1. Furthermore, for the explanation of the device, reference is first made to the preceding descriptions of the embodiment according to Figure 1, and only the differences between the two embodiments are discussed below.

[0028] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2, the suction arm element 20 is designed such that it passes completely through the through-opening 15 in the platform element 10, so that the end 23 of the suction arm element 20 not inserted into the technical device 100 protrudes beyond the platform element 10. The suction arm element 20 is held securely in the through-opening 15 of the platform element 10 in such a way that the position of the free end 21 of the suction arm element 20 can still be changed by rotating and / or axially displacing the end 23 of the suction arm element 20 protruding from the platform element 10, even when the platform element 10 is already attached to the technical device 100.

[0029] The suction hose 30 is directly connected to the suction arm element 20 via the elbow fitting 31, so that chips are drawn through the tubular suction arm element 20 and the suction hose 30 connected via an elbow fitting 31 by a suction blower (not shown). The suction hose 30, elbow fitting 31 and suction blower (not shown) can also be part of the device 1.

[0030] Furthermore, the device 1 includes additional suction arm elements 20', 20' ' for variable exchange. The additional suction arm elements 20', 20' ' each have a different shape, which makes them suitable for applications other than those shown in the sectional view of Figure 2.

Claims

Patent claims 1. Device (1) for reducing chips in cavities during the machining of technical equipment (100), in particular aircraft engines, comprising a platform element (10) with at least one fastening element (11) for attachment to a technical equipment (100) such that a through-opening (15) in the platform element (10) is aligned with an engagement opening (102) on the technical equipment (100), and a tubular suction arm element (20) attachable to the through-opening (15) of the platform element (10) for passage through the engagement opening (102) in the technical equipment (100), which is shaped such that its free and open end (21) is directed towards a predetermined area inside (104) of the technical equipment (100).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the suction arm element (20) is designed with its free and open end (21) to be positioned against a predetermined area inside (104) of the technical device (100).

3. Device according to claim 2, characterized in that the free end (21) of the suction arm element (20) comprises a circumferential lip (22) made of an elastic material for sealing contact with a predetermined area inside (104) of the technical device (100).

4. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the at least one fastening element (11) comprises at least two elongated holes (12).

5. Device according to claim 4, characterized in that at least two elongated holes (12) are arranged at an angle, preferably an angle between 30° and 90° to each other.

6. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the suction arm element (20) can be passed through the through-opening (15) in the platform element (10) in such a way that the end (23) of the suction arm element (20) not inserted into the technical device (100) protrudes above the platform element (10).

7. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) comprises several platform elements (10) and / or suction arm elements (20, 20', 20'') for variable exchange.

8. Device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the device (1) itself comprises a suction blower and a suction hose (30) for connecting the suction blower to the through-hole (15) on the platform element (10) or to the suction arm element (20).

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