DE102019115540B3 - Containers and process for their manufacture - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a container (1) for receiving at least one medium (M) with a container shell (2) and a container interior (8) surrounded by the container shell (2), in at least one container wall (3) of the container shell (2) at least an element (6) sensitive to the at least one medium (M) is arranged and the at least one sensitive element (6) on a side facing the container interior (8) is completely covered by a wall material (5) on an inside (3.1) of the container wall (3) is covered in a media-tight manner. The invention further relates to a method for producing a container (1) for holding at least one medium (M) and a method for operating a container (1) for holding at least one medium (M).

Description

The invention relates to a container for holding at least one medium.

The invention further relates to a method for producing a container for holding at least one medium.

The invention further relates to a method for operating a container for receiving at least one medium.

Containers formed from plastic are generally known from the prior art, which are designed to hold and store different substances, for example operating materials and / or hazardous substances. To accommodate and store these substances, it is necessary to ensure that the containers remain sealed over the life of the container.

The US 5,378,991 A describes a vessel with a multi-layer wall construction for holding a liquid. Vessel walls are alternately formed from layers of conductive material and non-conductive material. The conductive layers are electrically coupled to a measuring instrument, damage to an inner security layer being detected on the basis of a change in an electrical property.

The invention is based on the object of specifying an improved container for receiving at least one medium, an improved method for producing a container for receiving at least one medium and an improved method for operating a container for receiving at least one medium.

The object is achieved with regard to the container according to the invention by the features specified in claim 1, with regard to the method for producing the container according to the invention by the features specified in claim 8 and with regard to the method for operating the container by the features specified in claim 10.

Advantageous embodiments of the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

The container is designed to hold at least one medium and comprises a container shell and a container interior surrounded by the container shell. At least one element sensitive to the at least one medium is arranged in at least one container wall of the container shell, the at least one sensitive element on a side facing the container interior being completely covered in a media-tight manner by a wall material on an inside of the container wall.

The container is designed, for example, for the storage of operating materials, which can also be hazardous substances. During a service life of the container, chemical properties of the operating materials in combination with mechanical loads on the container can lead to increasing damage to the container shell. This can lead to cracking and / or local material removal, for example, which leads to a mechanical weakening of the container shell. As a result, there may be leaks or a complete failure of the container shell, which results in the stored operating materials escaping, which can lead to an environmental and health hazard.

Due to the media-tight integration of the at least one sensitive element into the at least one container wall, the container enables damage that is critical to failure to occur, ie. H. Cracks and / or material removal in and / or on the container wall, reliable detection of such damage, since the sensitive element comes into contact with the medium due to the damage. This makes it possible to reliably detect such damage, particularly early on, before a leak or a spontaneous failure occurs. Appropriate maintenance and / or repair measures can thus be initiated at an early stage and leakages or spontaneous failure of the container, combined with dangers to health and the environment, can be avoided. Furthermore, the service life of the container can be extended.

According to the invention, the at least one sensitive element, starting from the inside of the container wall, is arranged in a defined installation depth, the installation depth being less than a depth of damage from which the risk of failure of the container casing exceeds a predetermined value. Damage to the container wall can thus be detected particularly early, but not too early, before damage that is critical to failure occurs. The installation depth of the sensitive element thus depends on the requirements of a static design of the container, with a position and installation depth of the sensitive element being determined such that when damage is detected by means of the sensitive element, a local residual wall thickness in the area of this damage is still subject to static requirements Container corresponds. Thus, a mechanical stability of the container is even after detection Damage to the container continues to be ensured at least for a limited period of time.

In one possible embodiment of the container, the at least one sensitive element is arranged in a failure-critical area of the container shell in which damage to the container shell is first to be expected. This enables safe monitoring of the container casing for damage, while at the same time requiring little material and costs.

In a further possible embodiment of the container, the wall material is plastic. This enables the realization of a container with a low weight and at the same time easy handling. Furthermore, containers formed from plastic can be produced in a particularly simple manner and in a wide variety of forms, it being possible to produce one-piece and homogeneous containers in a simple and inexpensive manner without joints with a high degree of media tightness.

In a further possible embodiment of the container, the plastic is fiber-reinforced. The container is characterized by a particularly high mechanical stability.

In a further possible embodiment of the container, the sensitive element is designed in the form of a lattice and / or mat as a flat component, the length and / or width of which is or is many times greater than its height. Such a sensitive element can be easily integrated into a container wall without influencing its mechanical stability too much. When the plastic is designed as a fiber-reinforced plastic, the sensitive element can at the same time take on the function of fiber reinforcement in such a configuration, as a result of which an additional production outlay is minimized. Furthermore, the flat design of the sensitive element enables damage to the container wall to be detected particularly extensively and thus reliably.

In a further possible embodiment of the container, the sensitive element changes its electrical resistance, its electrical capacitance and / or its electrical inductance upon contact with the medium. Sensitive elements designed in this way are available particularly reliably and inexpensively.

In a further possible embodiment of the container, the sensitive element is coupled to an evaluation unit, which generates information when the latter senses contact with the medium by means of the sensitive element. This enables information to be output directly on the container, for example a warning message, which indicates damage.

In a further possible embodiment of the container, the sensitive element is coupled to a connection element arranged on an outside of the container, so that by means of an external evaluation and / or information unit, evaluation and monitoring of data output by the sensitive element and, if appropriate, output of corresponding information , for example a warning, can occur when damage occurs.

In a further possible embodiment of the container, a plurality of sensitive elements are arranged one behind the other, starting from the inside of the container wall in the direction of an outside of the container wall, the sensitive elements being separated from one another in a media-tight manner by means of the wall material. Damage at different depths and thus a progression of damage can thus be recorded. It is also possible that, as the wall of the container progresses to damage, first a first sensitive element and then a second sensitive element come into contact with the medium and only detect the damage upon contact with both sensitive elements, for example by closing an electrical circuit by means of the medium becomes.

In the method for producing a container for holding at least one medium, at least one element which is sensitive to the at least one medium is arranged when at least one element of the container is produced in at least one container wall of the container shell, the at least one sensitive element being completely on a side facing the container interior is covered media-tight by a wall material on an inside of the container wall.

The method can be used to produce containers in which, by means of the at least one sensitive element, when damage critical to failure occurs, ie. H. Cracks and / or material removal in and / or on the container wall, a reliable detection of such damage is made possible.

In this way, such damage can be reliably detected particularly early, even before a leak or a spontaneous failure occurs, and appropriate maintenance and / or repair measures can be initiated at an early stage and leakage or spontaneous failure of the container, associated with dangers to health and the environment, can be avoided. Furthermore, the service life of the container can be extended.

According to the invention, the at least one sensitive element, starting from the inside of the container wall, is arranged in a defined installation depth, the installation depth being less than a depth of damage from which the risk of failure of the container casing exceeds a predetermined value. Damage to the container wall can thus be detected particularly early, but not too early, before damage that is critical to failure occurs. The installation depth of the sensitive element thus depends on the requirements of a static design of the container, with a position and installation depth of the sensitive element being determined such that when damage is detected by means of the sensitive element, a local residual wall thickness in the area of this damage is still subject to static requirements Container corresponds. Mechanical stability of the container is thus also ensured at least for a limited period of time even after damage to the container is detected.

In one possible embodiment of the method, the wall material is formed from fiber-reinforced plastic and the at least one sensitive element is laminated into the fiber-reinforced plastic. Such an integration of the sensitive element is particularly easy to integrate into a manufacturing process.

In the method according to the invention for operating a container, it is provided for receiving at least one medium and comprises a container shell and a container interior surrounded by the container shell, at least one element sensitive to the at least one medium being arranged in at least one container wall of the container shell a side facing the container interior is completely covered in a media-tight manner by a wall material of an inside of the container wall. The at least one sensitive element is arranged from the inside of the container wall at a defined installation depth and the installation depth is less than a depth of damage from which the risk of failure of the container casing exceeds a predetermined value. Furthermore, a position and the installation depth of the at least one sensitive element are selected such that when damage is first detected by means of the sensitive element, a local residual wall thickness in the area of this damage still corresponds to static requirements for the container. In the method, information is generated and output when a contact of the same with the medium is detected by means of the sensitive element.

This enables reliable, particularly early detection of damage to the container walls, which can be carried out before a leak or a spontaneous failure of the container occurs, and corresponding information is also output at an early stage. Corresponding maintenance and / or repair measures on the container can thus be initiated at an early stage and leakages or spontaneous failure of the container combined with dangers to health and the environment can be avoided. Furthermore, the service life of the container can be extended.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

• 1 schematisch eine Schnittdarstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines Behälters zur Aufnahme zumindest eines Mediums,
• 2 schematisch einen Ausschnitt eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines Behälters zur Aufnahme zumindest eines Mediums und
• 3 schematisch einen Ausschnitt eines weiteren Ausführungsbeispiels eines Behälters zur Aufnahme zumindest eines Mediums.

In it show:

• 1 schematically a sectional view of an embodiment of a container for receiving at least one medium,
• 2nd schematically shows a section of a further embodiment of a container for holding at least one medium and
• 3rd schematically shows a section of a further embodiment of a container for receiving at least one medium.

Corresponding parts are provided with the same reference symbols in all figures.

1 shows a possible embodiment of a container according to the invention 1 for recording at least one medium M , for example a liquid.

The container 1 includes a container shell 2nd with a container wall 3rd , with different sections of the container wall 3rd Side walls and a bottom of the container shell 2nd form. The container wall 3rd surrounds a container interior 8th and includes one of the container interior 8th facing inside 3.1 and one inside the container 8th facing outside 3.2 .

The container shell 2nd is made of a wall material 5 , for example made of plastic, in particular glass fiber reinforced plastic, and comprises several layers of textile reinforcement 4th which in the wall material 5 , for example an epoxy resin, are embedded or laminated.

Furthermore is in the container wall 3rd between the textile reinforcements 4th a sensitive element 6 Laminated media-tight, which is designed as a lattice and / or mat-shaped flat component, the length and / or width of which is many times greater than its height. The sensitive element extends 6 at least almost within the entire container wall 3rd . This sensitive element 6 , can - as shown - almost all over the area or only in failure-critical areas of the container 1 during a manufacturing process of the container 1 into the wall material made of plastic 5 between the textile reinforcements 4th in one starting from the inside 3.1 the container wall 3rd installation depth can be laminated in a media-tight manner.

The container also includes 1 one with the sensitive element 6 coupled evaluation unit 7 .

Occurs during a useful life of the container 1 due to chemical properties of the medium M in combination with mechanical stress on the container 1 Damage S the container shell 2nd , for example cracking and / or local material removal, the medium comes M then in contact with the sensitive element 6 if the injury S the wall material 5 on the inside 3.1 the container wall 3rd penetrates.

With such a contact, the evaluation unit 7 for example, a change in an electrical resistance of the electrically conductive sensitive element 6 or a change in electromagnetic wave propagation is detected. Such a detection is carried out by means of the evaluation unit 7 generates, for example, optically or acoustically designed information and, if necessary, outputs it. Alternatively, the detection can also be based on monitoring an electrical capacitance and / or electrical inductance of the sensitive element 6 are based.

To ensure that when the damage is detected S no failure-critical condition of the container yet 1 the position and installation depth of the sensitive element 6 in the manufacture of the container 1 chosen such that when damage is first detected S by means of the sensitive element 6 one in the 2nd and 3rd local residual wall thickness shown R in the area of this damage S still static requirements on the container 1 corresponds.

In 2nd is a section of another embodiment of a container 1 for recording at least one medium M shown. The container 1 is analogous to that in 1 illustrated embodiment formed.

Deviating from that in 1 illustrated embodiment is the damage S further up in the container wall 3rd and is then captured when the medium M due to the damage S in contact with the sensitive element 6 is coming.

Here is the sensitive element 6 such in the container wall 3rd introduced that a distance (= residual wall thickness R ) between this and the outside 3.2 the container wall 3rd corresponds to at least a minimal static wall thickness, which minimal static requirements for the container 1 Fulfills.

3rd shows a section of a further embodiment of a container 1 for recording at least one medium M .

In contrast to the one in 1 illustrated embodiment are starting from the inside 3.1 the container wall 3rd towards the outside 3.2 the container wall 3rd two sensitive elements 6 arranged one behind the other, with between the sensitive elements 6 an additional textile reinforcement 4th is arranged and the sensitive elements 6 media-tight by means of the wall material 5 are separated from each other.

Otherwise, the container 1 analogous to that in 1 illustrated embodiment formed.

When damage occurs S the container wall 3rd this first penetrates the wall material 5 and a first textile reinforcement 4th so the medium M initially in contact with an inner sensitive element 6 is coming. If the damage progresses S this penetrates a medium textile reinforcement 4th and the wall material 5 so the medium M in contact with the other outer sensitive element 6 is coming. Thus, through the medium M an electrical circuit between the two sensitive elements 6 closed and the injury S can be detected.

Here is the outer sensitive element 6 such in the container wall 3rd introduced that a distance (= residual wall thickness R ) between this and the outside 3.2 the container wall 3rd corresponds to at least a minimal static wall thickness, which minimal static requirements for the container 1 Fulfills.

Reference list

1

container

2nd

Container shell

3rd

Container wall

3.1

inside

3.2

Outside

4th

textile reinforcement

5

Wall material

6

sensitive element

7

Evaluation unit

8th

Container interior

M

medium

R

Residual wall thickness

S

damage

Claims (10)

Container (1) for receiving at least one medium (M) with - a container shell (2) and - a container interior (8) surrounded by the container shell (2), - at least one in at least one container wall (3) of the container shell (2) is arranged for the at least one medium (M) sensitive element (6) and - the at least one sensitive element (6) on a side facing the container interior (8) completely of a wall material (5) on an inside (3.1) of the container wall (3) is covered in a media-tight manner, characterized in that - the at least one sensitive element (6), starting from the inside (3.1) of the container wall (3), is arranged in a defined installation depth, - the installation depth is less than a depth of damage ( S), from which the risk of failure of the container casing (2) exceeds a predetermined value, and - a position and the installation depth of the sensitive element (6) are selected such that during a first detection damage (S) by means of the sensitive element (6) a local residual wall thickness (R) in the area of this damage (S) still corresponds to static requirements for the container (1). Container (1) after Claim 1 , characterized in that the wall material (5) is plastic. Container (1) after Claim 2 , characterized in that the plastic is fiber-reinforced. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensitive element (6) is designed in the form of a lattice and / or mat as a flat component, the length and / or width of which is or is many times greater than its height . Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensitive element (6) upon contact with the medium (M) - its electrical resistance, - its electrical capacitance and / or - its electrical inductance changes. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the sensitive element (6) is coupled to an evaluation unit (7) which, when it is detected by means of the sensitive element (6), makes contact with the medium (M) generated. Container (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that - starting from the inside (3.1) of the container wall (3) towards an outside (3.2) of the container wall (3), several sensitive elements (6) are arranged one behind the other and - the sensitive elements (6) are separated from one another in a media-tight manner by means of the wall material (5). Method for producing a container (1) for holding at least one medium (M), wherein - when a container shell (2) of the container (1) is produced in at least one container wall (3) of the container shell (2), at least one for the at least one Medium (M) sensitive element (6) is arranged and - the at least one sensitive element (6) on a side facing the container interior (8) is completely covered by a wall material (5) on an inside (3.1) of the container wall (3) in a media-tight manner is characterized in that - the at least one sensitive element (6), starting from the inside (3.1) of the container wall (3), is arranged in a defined installation depth, - the installation depth is less than a depth of damage (S), from which the risk of failure of the container shell (2) exceeds a predetermined value, and - a position and the installation depth of the sensitive element (6) are determined in such a way that when a first detection of Damage (S) by means of the sensitive element (6) a local residual wall thickness (R) in the area of this damage (S) still corresponds to static requirements for the container (1). Procedure according to Claim 8 , characterized in that - the wall material (5) is formed from fiber-reinforced plastic and - the at least one sensitive element (6) is laminated into the fiber-reinforced plastic. Method for operating a container (1) for receiving at least one medium (M), - the container (1) comprising a container shell (2) and a container interior (8) surrounded by the container shell (2), - in at least one container wall (3) the container casing (2) is arranged at least one element (6) sensitive to the at least one medium (M), which element is attached to the inside of the container (8) facing side is completely covered in a media-tight manner by a wall material (5) of an inside (3.1) of the container wall (3), the at least one sensitive element (6) starting from the inside (3.1) of the container wall (3) being arranged at a defined installation depth, the installation depth is less than a depth of damage (S), from which the risk of failure of the container casing (2) exceeds a predetermined value, and a position and the installation depth of the at least one sensitive element (6) are selected such that in the case of a first detection of damage (S) by means of the sensitive element (6), a local residual wall thickness (R) in the area of this damage (S) still corresponds to static requirements for the container (1), - in the case of one detected by means of the sensitive element (6) Contact of the same with the medium (M) an information is generated and output.

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