CN106938160B

CN106938160B - Method for separating liquid from a fluid comprising gas and separation device

Info

Publication number: CN106938160B
Application number: CN201610835743.XA
Authority: CN
Inventors: 蒂莫·康策尔曼; 马丁·施特勒; 拉尔夫·施托克布格尔
Original assignee: Endress and Hauser Conducta Gesellschaft fuer Mess und Regeltechnik mbH and Co KG
Current assignee: Endress and Hauser Conducta GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2015-10-26
Filing date: 2016-09-20
Publication date: 2020-07-28
Anticipated expiration: 2036-09-20
Also published as: CN106938160A; DE102015220896A1; DE102015220896B4

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for separating liquids contained in a gas fluid during operation of a suction device for sucking the fluid, wherein the separation is carried out by means of a separation device (10) through which the sucked fluid flows, wherein the separation device (10) has a first separation unit (12) and a second separation unit (14) arranged downstream of the first separation unit (12), wherein the first and second separation units (12, 14) each have a container (20, 30), an outlet opening (18, 28) connected to the suction device, and an inlet opening (16, 26) for receiving the sucked fluid. The invention also relates to a separating device (10).

Description

Method for separating liquid from a fluid comprising gas and separation device

Technical Field

The invention relates to a method for separating liquids contained in a gas fluid during operation of a suction device for sucking the fluid, wherein the separation is carried out by means of a separation device through which the sucked fluid flows. Furthermore, the method is simple. The invention relates to a separating device.

Background

The protected method and the protected separating device can be used for operating a suction device, for example, in a vacuum gripper or in a vacuum gripper in a processing device for wet processing workpieces. Wet machining of a workpiece may be advantageous, for example, in a milling machine or a punch, wherein, for example, a coolant is provided to the machining region and also to the workpiece.

In this case, there is the problem that the gas fluid sucked in by the suction device is contaminated with impurities. For example, the liquid or other process by-product may be drawn into the holding or clamping device. In particular, there is the risk that the workpiece to be machined does not bear or be sucked completely tightly against the clamping device or the clamping device. When the impurities enter the vacuum generator (e.g., vacuum pump), the vacuum generator may be damaged.

Thus, a separating device is used when the suction device is in operation, which captures impurities or liquids contained in the fluid being sucked. Of course, such separation devices must usually be emptied. In order to prevent impurities or liquids from entering the vacuum generator also during emptying of the separating device, the suction device must be switched off temporarily, for example. Therefore, the suction device cannot be continuously operated.

Disclosure of Invention

The object of the invention is to make it possible for a suction device to continuously and reliably separate liquid and impurities in a fluid to be sucked.

This object is achieved by a method for separating a liquid contained in a gaseous fluid according to claim 1. For this purpose, the separating device has a first (suction-side) separating unit and a second (pump-side) separating unit downstream of the first separating unit. The first and second separation units each have a container, an outlet opening connected to the suction device and an inlet opening for receiving the fluid to be sucked.

The method according to the invention first detects whether the level of the liquid in the container of the first separation unit exceeds a level threshold. When the liquid level threshold is exceeded, the inlet and outlet of the first separation unit are closed. This may be achieved by a valve, so the inlet port may have an inlet valve and the outlet port may have an outlet valve. Emptying the container of the first separation unit may be done through an emptying outlet. This may be done by venting the container to ambient. Further, the inlet and outlet of the first separation unit are opened.

According to the invention, the first separation unit provides a particularly efficient liquid separation in the separation device. In this case, the inlet of the first separation unit is arranged in such a way that the suctioned fluid reaches the inlet of the first separation unit before the inlet of the second separation unit. In terms of construction, the first separation unit and the second separation unit are connected in parallel, whereas the fluid sucked in terms of fluid flow first reaches the inlet of the first separation unit.

The liquid contained in the pumped fluid may contain processing by-products (emulsions) such as debris or contaminating particles.

In a preferred embodiment, emptying the container of the first separation unit can be accomplished by applying an overpressure, for example compressed air, to the container. Thereby speeding up the emptying process.

In a further embodiment, the container of the first separation unit can be emptied, in particular by venting or by applying an overpressure, and then the inlet and outlet of the first separation unit can be completely closed. In this connection, the container is not emptied, in particular not vented or subjected to an overpressure, when it is also connected to the inlet or outlet opening. Thereby avoiding that fluid and/or liquid is pressed out of the separating device.

In order to further increase the operational safety, a predetermined waiting time period can be waited after the complete closure of the inlet opening and the outlet opening, and only after this waiting time period is the container of the first separating unit vented, preferably with an overpressure applied. The separation is performed by means of a second separation unit during the waiting duration. This waiting period ensures that the separated liquid collects completely at the bottom of the container.

With this further embodiment, the emptying can be carried out over a predetermined discharge duration, in particular the application of an overpressure to the container. The discharge duration can be adapted to the flow behavior of the emptying outlet or of an associated emptying valve. By predetermining a sufficiently long discharge duration, a complete emptying of the container can be ensured.

In particular, the reaching of the liquid level threshold value can be detected by means of a switch, in particular by means of a contact switch. In this case, the container can be provided with a contact element for the floating body, which floats on the separated liquid.

In order to reliably open and close the emptying outlet by simple means, the emptying valve, in particular the non-return valve, can be opened at the emptying opening for emptying the container, in particular to which an overpressure is applied. The valve can be used to release the emptying outlet in a targeted manner, in particular in the case of an overpressure (compressed air) in the container.

In the case of a closed inlet and a closed outlet of the first separation unit, the liquid separation can advantageously be carried out by means of the second separation unit. Thereby, continuously operating suction devices, such as vacuum pumps, are continuously protected from impurities or liquids.

In order to provide a flow ratio that remains constant, the inlet and outlet of the second separation unit may be closed after opening the inlet and outlet of the first separation unit. In this way, in particular also on the vacuum gripper or vacuum gripper, there is a constant ratio which is maintained.

In a further embodiment, after the inlet and outlet of the second separation unit have been closed, the container of the second separation unit can also be emptied, in particular by venting or applying an overpressure, for example compressed air, and discharging the liquid through a further emptying outlet. This emptying process of the second separating unit may be designed correspondingly to what was described for the first separating unit. In particular, the waiting duration and the discharge duration can also be predefined accordingly.

In particular, the container of the first separation unit may be emptied repeatedly after exceeding the liquid level threshold, respectively, wherein the emptying of the second separation unit is performed after a predetermined number of emptions of the first separation unit. Emptying the second separating unit may be done, for example, after each emptying of the first separating unit. This means that the two separation units are alternately emptied. Since the pumped fluid first flows through the first separation unit, most of the liquid is separated in the first separation unit. Thus, emptying the second separating unit may also be performed after a predetermined, greater number of emptions of the first separating unit.

The above object is also achieved by a separating device for separating a liquid contained in a gaseous fluid, in particular when a suction device (e.g. a vacuum pump) for sucking the fluid is in operation. The suction device has a first (suction-side) separating unit and a second (pump-side) separating unit downstream of the first separating unit. The first and second separation units have an inlet, an outlet, a vessel, a blow inlet and an emptying outlet, respectively. The inlet of the first separation unit is in flow connection with the inlet of the second separation unit. The discharge port of the first separation unit is in flow connection with the discharge port of the second separation unit.

In a further embodiment, the inlet of the first separation unit is arranged in such a way that the suctioned fluid reaches the inlet of the first separation unit before the inlet of the second separation unit. The first separation unit and the second separation unit are connected in parallel to each other, whereas the first separation unit mainly provides an efficient liquid separation in terms of fluid flow.

The measures described in connection with the above-described manner can be used for a further embodiment of the separating device.

The method and the separating device can also be used for cleaning compressed air, for example compressed air supplies, from contamination such as liquids and contaminating particles.

Drawings

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a separation device in perspective view; and

fig. 2 shows the separating device from fig. 1 in a side view, partly cut away.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 and 2 show a separating device for separating a liquid contained in a gaseous fluid, which is designated in its entirety by reference numeral 10. In particular, the separating apparatus 10 can be used when a suction apparatus for sucking fluid, such as a vacuum pump, is in operation.

The separating device 10 has a first (suction-side) separating unit 12 and a second (pump-side) separating unit 14. The second separation unit 14 is downstream of the first separation unit 12, in particular parallel to the first separation unit.

The first separation unit 12 has an inlet 16, an outlet 18, a container 20, a blow inlet 22 and an emptying outlet 24. The second separation unit 14 has an inlet port 26, an outlet port 28, a container 30, a blow air inlet 32 and a purge outlet 34.

An inlet valve 36 is disposed forwardly of the inlet port 16. The discharge outlet valve 38 is positioned downstream of the discharge outlet 18. Thereby, the inlet port 16 and the outlet port 18 can be controlled, i.e. opened and closed. Similarly, an inlet valve 40 is disposed forward of the inlet port 26 and an outlet valve 42 is disposed aft of the outlet port 28.

An emptying valve 44 in the form of a non-return valve 46 is arranged on the emptying outlet 24. Accordingly, an emptying valve 48 in the form of a non-return valve 50 is arranged on the emptying outlet 34.

The blow inlet 22 is connected to a source of compressed air (pressure pump or compressor) and has a discharge nozzle 52. Similarly, the air-blowing inlet 32 is connected to a compressed-air source (pressure pump or compressor) and has an air-discharge nozzle 54. Alternatively, the aeration inlet 22 and/or the aeration inlet 32 are connected to the environment for evacuation by aeration.

The inlet opening 16 is in flow connection with the inlet opening 26 and with the suction inlet 56 of the vacuum gripper or vacuum chuck. The region upstream of the

separation units

12, 14 in terms of fluid flow may be referred to as the suction side 58.

The exhaust port 18 is in flow connection with the exhaust port 28 and with a suction connection 60 of a vacuum generator, such as a vacuum pump. The region downstream of the

separation units

12, 14 in terms of fluid flow may be referred to as the pump side 62.

In order to detect the reaching of a liquid level threshold in the container 20, a switch 64 in the form of a contact switch 66 is arranged on the first separation unit 12. In contrast, in the container 20, the floating body 68 is provided with a contact 70. Correspondingly, a switch 72 in the form of a contact switch 74 is arranged on the second separating unit 14. In the container 30, the floating body 76 is provided with a contact member 78.

The separating apparatus 10 works as follows:

the fluid being pumped flows through the separating apparatus 10. In this case, the suctioned fluid enters at least one

container

20, 30 via an

inlet

26, 28 and exits via an

outlet

18, 28. Impurities or liquids remain in the

containers

20, 30.

It is first detected whether the level of the liquid in the container 20 of the first separation unit 12 exceeds a level threshold. This is done by means of a switch 64.

If the liquid level threshold is exceeded, the inlet 16 and outlet 18 of the first separation unit 12 are closed by closing the inlet valve 36 and outlet valve 38. The separation process is now carried out by means of the second separation unit 14.

The container 20 of the first separation unit 12 is emptied through the emptying outlet 24. For this purpose, the container 20 is vented or overpressured with respect to the environment, in particular compressed air can be introduced into the container 20 via the blow-in inlet 22.

In this case, a predetermined waiting time period is waited after the inlet opening 16 and the outlet opening 18 are completely closed, and the container 20 is emptied after this waiting time period. The container is vented or an overpressure is applied to the container 20 for a predetermined venting duration. Here, the check valve 46 is opened at the emptying outlet 24.

After the end of the venting process, the check valve 46 is closed. The inlet port 16 and the outlet port 18 are opened by opening the inlet valve 36 and the outlet valve 38. The separation process can now be completed again by means of the first separation unit 12.

After opening the inlet 16 and the outlet 18 of the first separation unit 12, the inlet 26 and the outlet 28 of the second separation unit 14 may be closed. In this regard, the inlet valve 40 and the outlet valve 42 are closed.

After closing the inlet 26 and the outlet 28 of the second separation unit 14, the vessel 30 of the second separation unit 14 can be emptied through a (further) emptying outlet 34 by venting with respect to the environment or by applying an overpressure. Preferably, compressed air can be introduced into the container 30 through the blow-in inlet 32, i.e. over a predetermined venting duration during which the check valve 50 is opened at the emptying outlet 34.

Emptying of the first separation unit 12 may be accomplished several times after the liquid level threshold is exceeded, wherein emptying of the second separation unit 14 may be performed after a predetermined number of emptions of the first separation unit 12.

Claims

1. Method for separating a liquid contained in a gas fluid in the operation of a suction device for sucking the fluid, wherein the separation is carried out by means of a separation device (10) through which the sucked fluid flows, wherein the separation device (10) has a first separation unit (12) and a second separation unit (14) arranged downstream of the first separation unit (12), wherein the first and second separation units (12, 14) each have a container (20, 30), an outlet opening (18, 28) connected to the suction device and an inlet opening (16, 26) for receiving the sucked fluid, wherein the method has the following steps:

-detecting whether a level of liquid in a container (20) of the first separation unit (12) exceeds a level threshold,

-closing the inlet (16) and the outlet (18) of the first separation unit (12) when a liquid level threshold is exceeded,

-emptying the container (20) of the first separation unit (12) by emptying the outlet (24), wherein a predetermined waiting duration is waited after the complete closing of the inlet opening (16) and the outlet opening (18), and the container (20) of the first separation unit (12) is emptied after this waiting duration, and

-opening an inlet (16) and an outlet (18) of the first separation unit (12).

2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that emptying of the container (20) of the first separation unit (12) is performed by applying an overpressure to the container (20).

3. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the container (20) of the first separation unit (12) is emptied after the inlet (16) and outlet (18) of the first separation unit (12) have been completely closed.

4. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the emptying of the container (20) is performed by a predetermined discharge duration.

5. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that reaching the liquid level threshold is detected by means of a switch (64).

6. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that for emptying the container (20) a emptying valve (44) is opened on the emptying outlet (24).

7. Method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the liquid separation is performed by means of the second separation unit (14) when the inlet (16) and the outlet (18) of the first separation unit (12) are closed.

8. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the inlet (26) and the outlet (28) of the second separation unit (14) are closed after the inlet (16) and the outlet (18) of the first separation unit (12) have been opened.

9. Method according to claim 8, characterized in that after the inlet (26) and the outlet (28) of the second separation unit (14) are closed, the container (30) of the second separation unit (14) is emptied through a further emptying outlet (34).

10. Method according to at least claim 9, characterized in that emptying the first separation unit (12) is performed repeatedly after exceeding the liquid level threshold, respectively, wherein emptying the second separation unit (14) is performed after a predetermined number of times of emptying the first separation unit (12).

11. Method according to claim 5, characterized in that reaching the liquid level threshold is detected by means of a contact switch (66).

12. Method according to claim 6, characterized in that, for emptying the container (20), the check valve (46) is opened at the emptying outlet (24).

13. A separation device (10) for carrying out the method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, having a first separation unit (12) and a second separation unit (14) arranged downstream of the first separation unit (12), wherein the first and second separation units (12, 14) each have an inlet (16, 26), an outlet (18, 28), a container (20, 30), a blow air inlet (22, 32) and an emptying outlet (24, 34), wherein the inlet (16) of the first separation unit (12) is in flow connection with the inlet (26) of the second separation unit (14), and wherein the outlet (18) of the first separation unit (12) is in flow connection with the outlet (28) of the second separation unit (14).

14. A separating device (10) according to claim 13, characterized in that the inlet (16) of the first separating unit (12) is arranged such that the sucked fluid reaches the inlet (16) of the first separating unit (12) before the inlet (26) of the second separating unit (14).