DE102012012823A1 - Device for lifting or moving load, has medium and space containing medium, where space is formed within device and has variable volume, and medium is solid material, such as expanded graphite or sodium silicate - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a medium (10) and a space (23) containing the medium, where the space is formed within the device and has a variable volume. The medium is a solid material, such as expanded graphite or sodium silicate, expandable around a factor by the supply of heat depending on the supplied heat amount. A chemical formation has a gas not for expanding the medium around the factor. An increase of the volume of the medium and the variable volume of the space produce a lifting movement of the device or an element of the device around a lifting height in a lifting direction.

Description

For salvage and rescue work it is known to use lifting cushions which are pressurized by a pyrotechnic inflator, for example to lift a load or to spread it apart. The gas generator is usually connected via a pipe to the lifting cushion. The lifting pad can be made of stainless steel, for example. The inflator may include a rocket propellant. The hot gases generated therefrom are then usually introduced into a pressure chamber in which a bed of magnesium carbonate is located. Due to the heat transferred by the gas, the magnesium carbonate releases CO ₂ and thereby cools the gas. After passing through retention and filter systems, the gas then flows via a pipeline into the lifting cushion.

From the DE 10 2007 062 602 A1 is a hoist for lifting and / or moving a load with a lifting device, which is designed to implement a gas pressure in a lifting movement known. In this case, a self-sufficient gas generator is provided, which is designed to generate the gas pressure by consuming a propellant. The lifting device is designed as a deformable lifting body, which is expanded at the transition from an initial state to a lifting state in the stroke direction by a lifting height.

A problem with the known lifting devices is that in these, especially under load, there is a high gas pressure, which can suddenly relax in case of material weakness or easily, especially during recovery work possible damage to the lifting device. This can cause both the concomitant pressure wave or entrained material from the lifting device as well as by the suddenly diminishing lifting or spreading large damage to material and people. Furthermore, the gas and also the lifting device operated therewith can have a temperature of over 400.degree. This represents another danger to persons.

The object of the present invention is to provide a device for lifting and / or moving a load, which is safer in use, than the known lifting devices. Furthermore, a use for lifting and / or moving a load should be specified.

The object is solved by the features of claims 1 and 15. Advantageous embodiments result from the features of claims 2 to 14 and 16 and 17.

According to the invention, a device for lifting and / or moving a load is provided. The device comprises a medium and a space containing the medium within the device. The room has a variable volume. The medium is a solid which can be expanded by supplying heat as a function of the quantity of heat supplied by at least a factor of 2, with chemical formation of a gas not contributing to the expansion of the medium by the factor mentioned. In this case, an increase in a volume of the medium and thus the variable volume of the space causes a lifting movement of the device or an element of the device by a lifting height in a stroke direction. The space may be, for example, a cylinder closed on one side, the volume of which is variable in that the other side is closed by a movable punch. An expansion of the medium causes an increase in the volume and thereby a lifting movement of the punch by a certain lifting height in the stroke direction predetermined by the cylinder.

Due to the fact that the medium is a solid whose volume increases as a function of the amount of heat supplied, no large amount of energy which can be released in an explosive manner is stored therein. Damage to the device is therefore relatively harmless.

Another advantage is that the device can be constructed very simply and no pipelines are required as in the provision of an external gas generator. Furthermore, it has been found that less thermal energy is required to perform the same mechanical work by means of the device according to the invention, as by means of a corresponding device in which the mechanical work is effected by the chemical formation of a gas.

The operation of the device according to the invention is simpler than the known lifting cushion with an external gas generator, because only the device is required per se, no gas generator must be connected to the device and, for example, salvage operations, no consideration must be taken to the laying of a gas line. The used device according to the invention is easy to dispose of, because the expandable solids are usually materials that allow easy disposal in the residual waste. Furthermore, there is no need for maintenance, as in the known gas generator, which can be emptied, cleaned and recharged after use. Toxic by-products or other products harmful to health or the environment generally do not arise when using the device according to the invention. Furthermore, the lifting movement in the Device according to the invention often reversible. So the lifting process, z. B. in providing a supply of heat from outside the device, be repeated several times. For this purpose, the solid must be compressed again after the lifting movement and a cooling.

Due to the lack of an external gas generator, the device according to the invention consists only of the device itself. The device according to the invention is thereby smaller and lighter than the known lifting cushion with the gas generator. Although the device according to the invention can be made smaller and lighter than the known device, higher pressures than systems containing gas can be produced. The force generation rate depends only on the heating rate. It can thus be well controlled and, for example, interrupted if necessary and continued at a later time.

Due to the integral construction of the device according to the invention, the structure is simple. Only one person is needed to transport and operate the device. Since the gas in the gas-generating systems when flowing into the lifting pad usually has a temperature of about 400 ° C, there is a great risk of skin burn for people coming into contact with it. In contrast, it is readily possible to thermally isolate the walls of the device according to the invention from the medium in such a way that the device on the outside remains so cold that there is no risk of skin burns.

Because there is no danger of sudden explosive energy release in the device according to the invention, it is not necessary to relieve the system after use of the device, as is the case with the lifting cushions operating with gas.

Another disadvantage of gas pressure systems is that the pressure generated by these systems also decreases rapidly as the outside temperature decreases. In the device according to the invention, the release of pressure with decreasing temperature is much slower than in these systems.

In one embodiment of the device according to the invention, a means for heating the medium is provided. The means for heating may be located outside the device and be provided, for example, in the form of heating the device from the outside, in particular electrical heating. However, the means for heating may also be arranged, at least partially, within the space. It may be, for example, an electrical heating resistor, which is arranged within the medium.

In one embodiment of the invention, the means for heating a pyrotechnic active mass. A pyrotechnic active material has the advantage that, apart from an ignition device for igniting the active material, it can provide the heat required for the expansion of the solid without further technical aids.

The pyrotechnic active material should not comprise an oxidizing agent which oxidizes the solid upon combustion of the pyrotechnic active material. Such an oxidizer could result in the creation of gas, which then builds up pressure within the device which poses a risk of accidental destruction of the device.

The pyrotechnic active material may be a mixture of powdered and / or granular silicon and / or at least one powdered and / or granular metal, in particular iron, magnesium, aluminum, zirconium or titanium, with at least one powdery and / or granular oxidizing agent for the silicon or Metal, in particular a perchlorate, in particular potassium perchlorate, or a metal oxide, in particular bismuth oxide or copper (II) oxide include. Furthermore, a corrosion inhibitor, for example potassium dichromate, may be present in the pyrotechnic active material. The pyrotechnic active mass may be completely surrounded by the medium and the amounts of pyrotechnic active material and the medium may be such that the heat emitted during combustion of the pyrotechnic active mass heat is not sufficient to completely expand the medium. It can thereby be achieved that the device does not heat up, or at least does not substantially heat, during the reaction of the pyrotechnic active material. The device is thereby safer for the person handling the device.

The device operates particularly efficiently when the medium and the heating means are in direct contact enabling heat transfer from the medium to the medium. The medium and the agent can each be arranged in separate areas, in particular in the form of alternately stacked compresses, in particular in tablet form.

The solid may comprise a, in particular inorganic, binder. Alternatively or additionally, if present, the pyrotechnic active material may comprise the binder or a further, in particular inorganic, binder. The inorganic binder or the further inorganic binder may be sodium silicate. An inorganic has opposite an organic binder has the advantage that it at high temperatures, as z. B. arise during combustion of the pyrotechnic active mass, generally no gases are produced which can produce a dangerous pressure in the device according to the invention.

The medium may be a solid which is expandable by the introduction of heat by at least a factor of 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 or 500. For example, the solid may be an expandable graphite or a sodium silicate. Blähgrafit can be expanded by supplying heat to about 500 times its original volume. Sodium silicate can be expanded to about 50 times its original volume by the application of heat.

The space of the device according to the invention can thereby have a variable volume, that it is limited by at least one movable piston or punch or at least part of a wall bounding the space as a bellows, in particular as a bellows, is formed. The device can be designed, for example, in the form of a known lifting pad or lifting bag. The wall of the lifting pad can be made of metal or other heat-resistant material.

The space of the device according to the invention may have a vent opening. As a result, gases possibly emerging from the medium or the pyrotechnic active mass can escape without a pressure which is dangerous for the safety of the device building up within the device according to the invention.

Furthermore, the invention relates to the use of a solid which can be expanded by supplying heat as a function of the quantity of heat supplied by a factor of at least 2 in a variable-volume space for lifting and / or moving a load, wherein a chemical formation of a gas does not expand the solid contributes to the said factor. The solid may be a solid which can be expanded by the introduction of heat by at least a factor of 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 or 500. The solid may be an expandable graphite or a sodium silicate.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to embodiments and the drawings. Show it:

1 a schematic spatial representation of the medium and the means for heating in the form of alternately stacked compressed,

2 , a schematic sectional view through an inventive device in the form of a lifting pad,

3 a further schematic sectional view through the in 2 illustrated lifting cushions and

4 a schematic sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention.

1. Medium-active mass compositions

Example 1:

A pyrotechnic active material is mixed from 87.4 wt .-% bismuth oxide, 1.1 wt .-% iron powder and 6.5 wt .-% silicon powder with 5 wt .-% sodium silicate as a binder and pressed into slices. The serving as a medium solid is mixed from 90 wt .-% Blähgrafit bound with 10 wt .-% polychloroprene ("Makroplast" from Henkel) and also pressed into slices. These discs are stacked alternately with the pyrotechnic active mass to the medium-effective mass composition. The mass ratio of the pyrotechnic active material to the expanded graphite is 1: 2 plus an excess of about 20 wt .-% Blähgrafit.

Example 2:

A pyrotechnic active material is mixed from 87.1 wt .-% bismuth oxide, 7.9 wt .-% silicon powder and 5 wt .-% sodium silicate as a binder. Blähgrafit is added to this mixture, so that the mass ratio of the pyrotechnic active material to Blähgrafit 1: 2.5. From the mixture pellets are produced.

Example 3:

A pyrotechnic active material is mixed from 80.8% by weight of copper (II) oxide, 14.2% by weight of silicon powder and 5.0% by weight of sodium silicate as binder. Slabs of expanded graphite are prepared as described in Example 1. The discs of the pyrotechnic active material and the Blähgrafit be alternately stacked. The mass ratio of pyrotechnic active material to Blähgrafit is 1: 4.

Example 4:

A pyrotechnic active material is mixed from 80.8% by weight of copper (II) oxide, 14.2% by weight of silicon powder and 5.0% by weight of sodium silicate as binder. The expandable graphite is combined with the effective mass thus produced in a mass ratio of pyrotechnic active material to Blähgrafit of 1: 4 mixed. From the mixture pellets are produced.

Example 5:

A pyrotechnic active material is mixed from 45.6% by weight of potassium perchlorate, 49.4% by weight of iron powder and 4.5% by weight of sodium silicate as binder and 0.5% by weight of potassium dichromate as corrosion inhibitor and pressed into disks. Slabs of expanded graphite are prepared as described in Example 1. The resulting discs are stacked alternately. The resulting mass ratio of pyrotechnic active material to Blähgrafit is 1: 5.

Example 6:

A pyrotechnic active material is mixed from 45.6% by weight of potassium perchlorate, 49.4% by weight of iron powder, 4.5% by weight of sodium silicate as binder and 0.5% by weight of potassium dichromate as corrosion inhibitor. The resulting granules are mixed with expandable graphite in a mass ratio of 1: 5. From the mixture pellets are produced.

2. Spatial structure of a medium-effective mass composition

In 1 is a medium-drug composition 9 in the form of a stack of hexagonal tablets from the medium 10 and from the pyrotechnic active mass 12 shown schematically. The stack can be at the ignition surface 14 be lit. As a result, the tablets start from the pyrotechnic active mass 12 to glow on a front. The glowing front propagates through the stack, thereby heating the medium 10 , which expands thereby.

3. Construction of a lifting device

2 shows a multiple stack of the medium-bulk composition 9 as they are in 1 is shown containing lifting cushion 16 in cross section along the line BB 'in 3 , The lifting cushion 16 has a bottom surface 18 and a lifting surface 20 as well as a folded bellows 22 on, the lifting movement of the lifting surface 20 opposite the floor surface 18 allowed. In the space to be filled by the expanding medium with variable volume 23 of the lifting cushion 16 are the stacks of medium-active mass composition 9 arranged, in each case the medium 10 is arranged at the bottom and top position of the stack. The stacks are in the lift cushion 16 from a loose charge from the medium 10 surround. This bed prevents the burning of the pyrotechnic active material 12 a heat transfer to the floor area 18 , the lifting area 20 and the bellows 22 and thus damage to these parts and a strong external heating of the lifting pad 16 with the associated risk of injury to persons in contact with it.

3 shows that in 2 illustrated lifting cushions 16 in section along the line AA 'in 2 , 3 clearly shows that the stacks of the medium-active mass composition 9 each at contact surfaces 24 touch. Starting from an ignition at the ignition surface 14 by a detonator, not shown here, the burning of the pyrotechnic active mass sets 12 from stack to stack. The heat generated by this process expands the medium 10 and thereby increases the volume of the room 23 , This is the lifting surface 20 in relation to the floor area 18 tightening the bellows 22 raised.

4 shows an alternative embodiment of the device according to the invention. In a tube 6 made of stainless steel pistons or pistons are on both sides 8th introduced, serving as a vent columns 5 between stamps 8th and pipe 6 remain. The stamp introduced on both sides 8th limit a space 23 in a rejuvenation for better heat transfer 7 having part of the tube 6 , In the room 23 That's due to the agility of the stamp 8th has a variable volume is a medium 10 arranged in the form of a Blähgrafitpresslings. The Blähgrafitpressling is from the outside by means of a on the rejuvenation 7 heated gas flame heated. Any gases that may be generated can pass through the gaps 5 between the stamps 8th and the tube 6 escape.

In an embodiment of this device with a stainless steel tube 6 of 3 mm wall thickness outside of the rejuvenation 7 , Stamp 8th of 20 mm diameter and 0.2 mm columns 5 was when heated at the punches 8th a maximum force of 20 kN measured. This results in a pressure of about 700 bar. The stainless steel pipe 6 was in the process of rejuvenation 7 bulged. It can be concluded that when using another or differently designed material to provide the space 23 an even greater force or an even higher pressure could have been achieved. After cooling, the expandable graphite can be compressed again. Thereafter, the device can be used again to carry out a lifting movement by supplying heat.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

5

gap

6

pipe

7

rejuvenation

8th

Stamp / piston

9

Medium-active mass composition

10

medium

12

pyrotechnic active mass

14

ignition surface

16

Lifting / lifting cushion

18

floor area

20

lifting surface

22

bellows

23

room

24

contact area

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• DE 102007062602 A1 [0002]

Claims (17)

Device for lifting and / or moving a load, comprising a medium ( 10 ) and one the medium ( 10 ) containing space ( 23 ) within the device having a variable volume, the medium ( 10 ) is a solids expandable by the supply of heat depending on the amount of heat supplied by at least a factor of 2, wherein a chemical formation of a gas is not for expanding the medium ( 10 ) contributes to said factor, wherein an increase in a volume of the medium ( 10 ) and thus the variable volume of the room ( 23 ) causes a lifting movement of the device or an element of the device by a lifting height in a stroke direction. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein means for heating the medium ( 10 ) is provided. Device according to claim 2, wherein the means for heating, at least partially, within the space ( 23 ) is arranged. Apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the means for heating a pyrotechnic active material ( 12 ). Apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the pyrotechnic active material ( 12 ) no solid when burning the pyrotechnic active material ( 12 ) oxidizing oxidizing agent. Apparatus according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the pyrotechnic active material ( 12 ) a mixture of powdered and / or granular silicon and / or at least one powdered and / or granular metal, in particular iron, magnesium, aluminum, zirconium or titanium, with at least one powdery and / or granular oxidizing agent for the silicon or the metal, in particular a perchlorate, in particular potassium perchlorate, or a metal oxide, in particular bismuth oxide or copper (II) oxide. Device according to one of claims 4 to 6, wherein the pyrotechnic active material ( 12 ) completely from the medium ( 10 ) and the quantities of pyrotechnic active material ( 12 ) and the medium ( 10 ) are dimensioned so that the at combustion of the pyrotechnic active material ( 12 ) is not sufficient to heat the medium ( 10 ) to expand completely. Device according to one of claims 2 to 7, wherein the medium ( 10 ) and the means for heating in direct, a heat transfer from the medium to the medium ( 10 ) enabling contact. Apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the medium ( 10 ) and the means are each arranged in separate areas, in particular in the form of alternately stacked compresses, in particular in tablet form. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the solid one, in particular inorganic, binder, in particular sodium silicate, and / or, if present, the pyrotechnic active material ( 12 ) comprises the binder or another, in particular inorganic, binder, in particular sodium silicate. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the medium ( 10 ) is a solid which is expandable by the introduction of heat at least by a factor of 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 or 500. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the solid is a Blähgrafit or a sodium silicate. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the space ( 23 ) has a variable volume, characterized in that it by at least one movable piston or punch ( 8th ) is limited or at least part of the space ( 23 ) limiting wall as bellows ( 22 ), in particular as a bellows, is formed. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the space ( 23 ) has at least one vent opening. Use of a solid which can be expanded by supplying heat as a function of the amount of heat supplied by at least a factor of 2 in a space ( 23 ) of variable volume for lifting and / or moving a load, wherein chemical formation of a gas does not contribute to expanding the solid by said factor. Use according to claim 15, wherein the solid is a solid expandable by the application of heat at least by a factor of 5, 10, 50, 100, 200 or 500. Use according to claim 15 or 16, wherein the solid is an expandable graphite or a sodium silicate.

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