DE102013113810B4 - Coupling system for a fitting for receiving a measuring insert, the coupling system having a helical groove with four sections - Google Patents

Abstract

Coupling system (1) for a fitting (E) for receiving a measuring insert (7), the coupling system (1) comprising a first and a second coupling part (2, 3), the first and the second coupling part (2, 3) having connecting means (B, N1, N2), which serve to connect the first coupling part (2) and the second coupling part (2) to one another, the connection being released via at least a first and a second locking position (R1, R2) of the first Coupling part (2) relative to the second coupling part (3), with the first and second locking positions (R1, R2) specifying a first and a second rotational position of the first coupling part (2) relative to the second coupling part (3), wherein by plugging the first coupling part (2) onto the second coupling part (3), a third rotational position of the first coupling part (2) relative to the second coupling part (3) is specified, with the first locking position (R1) being determined by a movement of the first coupling part (2) in the direction of insertion (p ) and at the same time can be released in a direction of rotation (T) running transversely to the plug-in direction (S), the position of the first coupling part (2) relative to the second coupling part (3) being changed by the first locking position (R1) and by the second locking position (R2) in the axial direction, i.e. in the plug-in direction (S), the first coupling part (2) having at least one bolt (B) which serves to fit into at least one corresponding groove (N1, N2) of the second coupling part (3). grip, the groove (N1, N2) running helically and in a first sub-area has a first sense of rotation which is either left-handed or right-handed, the groove (N1, N2) being in a second sub-area which adjoins the first sub-area , has a second sense of rotation, which is opposite to the first sense of rotation, wherein the groove (N1, N2) has the first sense of rotation in a third sub-area, which adjoins the second sub-area, and wherein the groove (N1, N2) in a fourth sub-area, which adjoins the third sub-area, has the second sense of rotation.

Description

The invention relates to a coupling system for a fitting for accommodating a measuring insert, a use of the coupling system, and an installation fitting.

In industrial process and automation technology, thermometers or other measuring devices are often used to determine process variables.

For example, a thermometer usually includes a thermowell with a process connection, a measuring insert, a connection head and a connection base. The thermometer is fixed in a pipeline or tank, for example, using the process connection. The attachment can be done by screwing or welding. The measuring insert is located in the protective tube and contains a sensor for recording the process variable, especially the temperature. The thermowell with the sensor is located in the process up to the level of the process connection, i.e. inside the pipeline and the tank. The measuring insert also has a connection socket, which is protected inside the housing connection head.

In order to be able to calibrate the thermometer, it is necessary to separate the housing connection head from the protective tube so that the measuring insert can be pulled out of the protective tube. In order to be able to carry out a calibration as easily as possible, it is advantageous if the connection head can be separated from the protective tube as quickly and easily as possible. For applications in the pharmaceutical and food industry, special requirements regarding hygiene guidelines such as 3A or EHEDG must be observed. In addition, the housing should be as robust as possible in order to meet the requirements in industrial systems. For example, high-pressure cleaners are used there.

For example, from the disclosure document DE 10 2010 039 866 A1 a bayonet catch for connecting housing parts has become known. The sleeve-like cylindrical housings act as a coupling system that has a bayonet lock to ensure a quick separation of the connection head from the protective tube, for example for the purpose of calibration.

The DE 42 00 452 A1 discloses a retractable fitting for inserting measuring probes. Therein a coupling system is shown which comprises a first and a second coupling part, the first and the second coupling part having connecting means which are used to connect the first coupling part and the second coupling part to one another, the release of the connection being carried out via at least a first and a second latching position of the first coupling part relative to the second coupling part takes place.

The DE 199 48 106 A1 shows a housing and an interface unit, which are detachably connected to one another via a plurality of snap-in connections.

The DE 20 2012 002 473 U1 shows a ball locking mechanism for connecting a measuring head to a sensor shaft. Also the DE 199 48 106 A1 and the DE 20 2012 002 473 U1 show the above clutch system.

The invention is based on the object of specifying an improved clutch system.

The task is solved by a coupling system for a fitting for accommodating a measuring insert, a use of the coupling system, and by a built-in fitting with a protective tube and a coupling system.

With regard to the clutch system, the object is achieved by a clutch system according to claim 1.

The invention thus relates to a coupling system for fittings, which is particularly suitable for accommodating a measuring insert for process temperature measurement in pressurizable protective tubes and has an automatic, mechanically acting protective and display function for this purpose, with which overpressure hazards as a result of leaking protective tubes can be caught and recorded.

The connecting means can be provided, for example, on the first and/or second coupling part. For example, the first coupling part can have one or more bolts that engage with one or more grooves of the second coupling part. Of course, the grooves can also be provided on the first coupling part, while the bolts are arranged on the second coupling part.

The first and/or the second detent position is defined, for example, by the course of the at least one groove or is formed by the course of the groove

In one embodiment of the coupling system, a first or a second housing part is provided in the form of a process connection or a housing neck tube or a housing connection head. The clutch system can thus For example, be arranged between the process connection and the housing neck tube, or directly between the process connection and the housing connection head. The coupling system can also be arranged between the housing neck tube and the housing connection head. In particular, a device that has several such coupling systems is possible.

In a further embodiment of the coupling system, the first coupling part and the second coupling part have connection elements. The first and second coupling part serve as an adapter for bridging the connection elements between a first and a second housing part. The connecting elements of the first and second housing parts can be, for example, threads into which the sleeve-shaped coupling parts can be screwed. The two coupling parts can have connection elements at one end, which can be connected to the respective connection elements of the first and second housing part, while at their other end they are designed in such a way that the proposed bayonet connection can be formed between them. Corresponding grooves or bolts, for example, which engage in these grooves, can be provided for this purpose.

In a further configuration of the device, the coupling system, the first and the second housing part are used to hold a measuring insert, which measuring insert has at least one sensor element which is used to record the process variable. The measuring insert can therefore have a connection block, for example, which is held in the housing connection head. Furthermore, the measuring insert can consist of an elongate shank, which is guided through an opening in the housing connection head into the housing neck tube and finally via the housing neck tube and the measuring insert into the protective tube. The sensor element is arranged in the area of the measuring insert that is in the protective tube and is therefore closest to the process.

According to the invention, the connection between the first and the second coupling part takes place by plugging the first coupling part onto the second coupling part. By plugging in, the connecting means can be brought into engagement with one another, for example, before they are locked in place, for example by rotation, via a first and a second latching position.

According to the invention, a first and a second rotational position of the first coupling part relative to the second coupling part is predetermined by the first and the second detent position. The detent position can be characterized in that a mechanical inhibition has to be overcome in order to release the respective detent position.

According to the invention, a third rotational position of the first coupling part relative to the second coupling part is specified by plugging the first coupling part onto the second coupling part.

The present detent position can also be recognized by the rotary position.

According to the invention, the first locking position can be released by moving the first coupling part in the direction of insertion and at the same time in a direction of rotation running transversely to the direction of insertion.

According to the invention, the position of the first coupling part relative to the second coupling part in the axial direction, i.e. in the plug-in direction, is predetermined by the first locking position and by the second locking position.

According to the invention, the first coupling part has at least one bolt which serves to engage in at least one corresponding groove of the second coupling part. The groove thus serves as a guide groove for the stub-shaped bolt, for example. Of course, more than one groove can be provided. Of course, the second coupling part can also have the at least one bolt and the first coupling part can have the at least one groove (guide groove).

According to the invention, the groove runs helically and in a first sub-area has a first sense of rotation, which is either left-handed or right-handed, the groove having a second sense of rotation in a second sub-area, which adjoins the first sub-area, which is opposite to the first sense of rotation is. Furthermore, the groove has the first sense of rotation in a third sub-area, which adjoins the second sub-area, and the groove has the second sense of rotation in a fourth sub-area, which adjoins the third sub-area.

In one embodiment of the coupling system, the connection is made by rotating the first coupling part relative to the second coupling part in a direction of rotation running transversely to the insertion direction of the first and second coupling part.

In a further embodiment of the coupling system, the first and second latching position is a mechanical lock that can be released by moving the first coupling part in the insertion direction and by simultaneously moving the first coupling part in a direction transverse to the insertion direction.

In a further embodiment of the clutch system, the rotation to release the first locking position and the rotation to release the second locking position take place in the same direction of rotation. Alternatively, the first locking position can be released in a first direction of rotation, while the second locking position takes place by a rotation opposite to the first direction of rotation.

In a further embodiment of the clutch system, the clutch system is designed to be fluid-tight both in the first latched position and in the second latched position. One or more sealing devices can be provided, which are used for a sealing effect between the first and the second coupling part. The sealing elements can, for example, be arranged on the second coupling part in such a way that, together with the sleeve-like first coupling part, which partially encloses the second coupling part or accommodates it in its interior, both in the first and in the second locking position, they protect the interior of the coupling system from the environment cares.

In a further embodiment of the clutch system, the first and/or the second clutch part has a display element, and the first or second locking position can be read from the display element. For example, one of the sealing devices, such as a sealing ring in a corresponding color, can serve as a display element.

In a further embodiment of the clutch system, the clutch system, in particular the first and/or the second detent position, is used to prevent the connection from springing open when pressure is applied. The second detent position thus prevents it from springing open when the first detent position is released, thus ensuring locking at least in the longitudinal direction of the clutch system.

With regard to the use, the object is achieved by using the coupling system according to one of the preceding claims for connecting a process connection element to a neck tube or a connection head.

With regard to the built-in fitting, the task is solved by a built-in fitting with a protective tube and a coupling system according to one of the preceding claims.

From the disclosure document DE 20 2010 004 824 U1 a bayonet lock has become known. Just like the bayonet lock described there, the present bayonet lock is also understood as a plug-and-turn lock, ie a mechanical holding system in which the attachment piece can be plugged in or out of the base body in a plug-in direction, and in which the plug-in or inserted top piece is pivotable relative to the base body about an axis of rotation parallel to the plug-in direction in order to lock (or latch) or release the mechanical connection of the top piece to the base body. In the attached or inserted state of the attachment piece on or in the base body, there are in particular two rotational positions of these two parts relative to one another, which are referred to below as the "locked position" or "release position" (of the bayonet catch). In the release position of the bayonet lock, the base body and the top piece can be displaced in relation to one another in the insertion direction. In this way, the attachment piece can in particular be pulled off the base body. In the detent position of the bayonet catch, on the other hand, the attachment piece is latched or locked to the base body. The attachment piece and the base body are thus fixed to one another in a form-fitting manner in the insertion direction.

In particular, a sequence of three different movements is required for the electrical and mechanical connection of the top section to the base body, namely, on the one hand, the displacement of the top section against the base body in the direction of insertion of the bayonet catch, followed by the rotation of the top section against the base body transversely to the direction of insertion, and the finally, in turn, moving the plug-in or mating plug contacts in the plug-in direction. A reverse sequence of movements is required to dismantle the holding device. On the one hand, this sequence of movements can be carried out easily and without any problems by a knowledgeable adult user. On the other hand, however, it is sufficiently complex to largely rule out unintentional disassembly of the attachment piece from the base body, in particular by children and other people with reduced control or insight abilities.

• 1: einen Querschnitt durch die Längsachse eines Einbautem peraturfühlers,
• 2: eine Seitenansicht eines Einbautemperaturfühlers, welcher Einbautemperaturfühler ein Kupplungssystem mit einem Bajonettverschluss aufweist, wobei der Bajonettverschluss zwei durch einen Verlauf einer Nut vorgegebene Raststellungen aufweist,
• 3: eine Seitenansicht eines Kupplungsteils des Kupplungssystems, wobei ein alternativer Verlauf der Nut des Kupplungsteils gezeigt ist, und
• 4: eine Seitenansicht einer Einbauarmatur, wobei die die Kupplungsteile in der zweiten Raststellung gezeigt sind.

The invention is explained in more detail with reference to the following drawings. It shows:

• 1 : a cross-section through the longitudinal axis of a built-in temperature sensor,
• 2 : a side view of a built-in temperature sensor, which built-in temperature sensor has a coupling system with a bayonet lock, the bayonet lock having two locking positions predetermined by the course of a groove,
• 3 : a side view of a coupling part of the coupling system, showing an alternative course of the groove of the coupling part, and
• 4 : a side view of a built-in fitting, wherein the coupling parts are shown in the second locking position.

1 shows a cross section (through the longitudinal axis) through an installation fitting E as it is used, for example, to hold a measuring insert 7 for temperature measurement.

The coupling system 1 for a fitting acc. 1 , which is particularly suitable for accommodating a measuring insert 7 for process temperature measurement in pressurizable protective tubes 6 and has an automatic, mechanically acting protective and/or display function D3 with which overpressure hazards as a result of leaking protective tubes 6 can be collected and recorded.

The sleeve-like cylindrical housing of the first coupling part 2 acts as a coupling system 1, which has a bayonet lock to ensure rapid separation of the connection head 4 from the protective tube 6, for example, for the purpose of calibration.

In the case of such service work to be carried out at regular intervals, for example in the pharmaceutical industry or in the power plant sector, construction-related safety features that can protect the user from hazards resulting from the escape of pressurized measurement media are extremely advantageous.

• - Schwingungsüberbeanspruchungen bei strömenden Messmedien in der Nähe der Resonanzfrequenz von Schutzrohren,
• - Korrosionserscheinungen,
• - Material-Ermüdungen infolge Kavitationseffekte etc.,
• - Fehlerhafte Dichtelemente.

Known causes of thermowell leaks can be, for example:

• - vibration overloads in flowing measurement media near the resonant frequency of protective tubes,
• - signs of corrosion,
• - Material fatigue due to cavitation effects etc.,
• - Defective sealing elements.

Existing increases in pressure as a result of pressurized measuring media penetrating would lead to the lock springing open or the connection head 4 flying away and the pressurized measuring medium escaping when conventional bayonet locks are unlocked.

For example, the coupling system 1 or the installation fitting E has extended sealing seats and correspondingly shaped guide grooves N1, N2 of the bayonet lock, as well as an element indicating the distance, such as the identification ring D3. The clutch system 1 thus has a display and safety function.

For this purpose, the slope of the helical course of the grooves N1, N2 is used to achieve an additional catch position R2 of the bolts B in an additional S-shaped course of the grooves N1, N2, for example, as shown in 2 shown designed in the unlocking direction.

By means of such an additional locking position R2, the bayonet connection is now fixed in a catch position, which is set due to the pressure effect immediately after the first unlocking movement of the bayonet lock from the first locking position R1 and is thus protected against unintentional full opening when the pressure in the protective tube 6 increases.

An identification ring D3 colored in a signal color, which is made of elastomer or plastic, for example, is attached to the first sleeve-like cylindrical housing 3, the second coupling part, which is present in the installation direction, cf. 4 , In the installed state of the identification ring D3 of the second sleeve-like cylindrical housing, ie the first coupling part 2, remains covered.

After a primary unlocking of the bayonet catch from the first detent position R1, pressurization causes a displacement of the second sleeve-like cylindrical housing, i.e. of the first coupling part so that the identification ring D3 underneath is exposed and can be visually recorded.

The catch position, in the form of the second detent position R2, which is automatically adjusted under pressure after the primary unlocking from the rest position R1 of the bayonet lock, is verified in this way.

However, if there are grooved guides N1, N2 rotating in the same direction in the unlocking direction, e.g. using tools, it is possible to bypass the stopping point, which would result in the bayonet catch being unintentionally unlocked or popping open when pressure is applied.

In order to prevent this effect, in an additional embodiment, such as in 3 , the groove guide N2 of the lobster clasp, which ends in the catch position to catch any pressure effects that arise, is guided in the opposite direction of rotation to the primary unlocking direction.

In this way it can be avoided that after unlocking from the first detent position in the same direction of rotation the collecting po position can be skipped unnoticed in the form of the detent position R2.

In addition to the identification ring D3, the sealing effect can be provided by a first sealing ring D1 and a second sealing ring D2.

The plug-in direction S and the direction of rotation T, which is transverse to the plug-in direction, are in 2 symbolically represented by arrows.

Claims (9)

Coupling system (1) for a fitting (E) for receiving a measuring insert (7), wherein the clutch system (1) comprises a first and a second clutch part (2, 3), wherein the first and the second coupling part (2, 3) have connecting means (B, N1, N2) which serve to connect the first coupling part (2) and the second coupling part (2) to one another, the connection being released via at least a first and a second locking position (R1, R2) of the first coupling part (2) relative to the second coupling part (3), a first and a second rotational position of the first coupling part (2) relative to the second coupling part (3) being predetermined by the first and the second detent position (R1, R2), a third rotational position of the first coupling part (2) relative to the second coupling part (3) being predetermined by plugging the first coupling part (2) onto the second coupling part (3). wherein the first locking position (R1) can be released by moving the first coupling part (2) in the plug-in direction (S) and at the same time in a direction of rotation (T) running transversely to the plug-in direction (S), the position of the first coupling part (2) relative to the second coupling part (3) in the axial direction, i.e. in the insertion direction (S), is predetermined by the first locking position (R1) and by the second locking position (R2), the first coupling part ( 2) has at least one bolt (B) which serves to engage in at least one corresponding groove (N1, N2) of the second coupling part (3), wherein the groove (N1, N2) runs helically and has a first direction of rotation in a first partial area, which is either left-handed or right-handed, wherein the groove (N1, N2) has a second sense of rotation in a second sub-area, which adjoins the first sub-area, which is opposite to the first sense of rotation, wherein the groove (N1, N2) has the first sense of rotation in a third sub-area, which adjoins the second sub-area, and wherein the groove (N1, N2) has the second sense of rotation in a fourth sub-area, which adjoins the third sub-area. clutch system (1) after claim 1 , wherein the connection is made by turning the first coupling part (2) relative to the second coupling part (3) in a direction of rotation (D) running transversely to the insertion direction (S) of the first and second coupling part. Coupling system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and the second detent position (R1, R2) is a mechanical locking which is achieved by moving the first coupling part (2) in the plugging direction (S) and by simultaneous movement of the first coupling part (2) can be released in a direction (T) running transversely to the plug-in direction (S). Clutch system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the rotation to release the first detent position (R1) and the rotation to release the second detent position (R2) take place in the same direction of rotation (T), or wherein the rotation to release the first detent position (R1) occurs in a first direction of rotation (T) and the rotation to release the second detent position (R2) occurs in a second direction of rotation (-T), the second direction of rotation (-T) being opposite to that first direction of rotation (T). Clutch system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the clutch system (1) is designed to be fluid-tight both in the first detent position (R1) and in the second detent position (R2). Coupling system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and/or the second coupling part (2, 3) has an indicator element (D3), and the first or second detent position (R1, R2) can be selected using the indicator element (D3). is readable. Coupling system (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the coupling system (1), in particular the first and/or the second detent position (R1, R2), serves to prevent the connection from springing open when pressure is applied. Use of the coupling system (1) according to one of the preceding claims for connecting a process connection element (5) to a neck tube or a connection head (4). Installation fitting (E) with a protective tube (6) and a coupling system (1) according to one of Claims 1 until 7 .

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