DE4440568C1 - Separation system for fluids - Google Patents

Abstract

The separation system has a collecting line from which several branches with valves branch off. The collecting line (2) consists of tube sectors (1) fitted against each other and movable against each other. Inside each tube sector there is a shoulder (11) for fitting a valve body (12). A valve rod (13) being fixed in the system, is fitted centrally in the collecting line, and has the valve bodies fixed to it and to the shoulders of the tube sectors. Two adjacent sectors, movable against each other, are connected by a flexible membrane (10) at their end-faces.

Description

The invention relates to a distribution system for liquid media, such as. B. Liquids, with a manifold from which several pipe branches lead away, with the pipe branches valves to open and Closing the pipe branches are associated with the characteristics of genus described in the preamble of claim 1.

Distribution systems for liquid media, such as. B. liquids are in themselves known. As a rule, these liquids are in a manifold transported and on several pipes leaving this manifold branches are distributed using a distribution system. It goes without saying also the reversal of the inflow from the pipe branches to the Collective line possible. As distribution systems according to the state of the Technology will be, for example, ball valves, manifold blocks, valve batteries and the like are used.

Ball valves with three or more pipe branches are constructive Reasons limited to smaller pipe cross sections and are subject to the shear movements between you at the ball valve tion and branching when opening and closing the tap  Lichen wear, especially when transporting liquids occurs with abrasive components. Ball valves with five to eight Branches are practically only found in laboratory applications and with small diameters use.

Often different liquids are through the manifold or to promote the distribution system. When changing from one to the other Liquid therefore requires that the liquids transported first as completely as possible from the manifold or the distributor system are removed. With appropriately critical transported rivers liquids must be in the manifold or the distribution system before the trans port of the next medium can be cleaned or rinsed. Just by completely draining the manifold manifold can be prevented that valuable product residues in the manifold and changed in the distribution system by the cleaning process or un be made useful. In the case of incompatible liquids, the intermediate cleaning or the complete emptying of each other the subsequent transport of various media prevents them from moving contaminate each other. The known from the prior art Valve batteries and manifold blocks can only be partially removed from Empty residues. With a large number of pipe branches it also required correspondingly high investments in the valves and do the other technique required for that. To wrong switching in the event of a valve component failure, individual valves must be avoided are mutually interlocked in some cases, which is also complex. For Controlling these individual components is also very expensive Measurement and control technology required.

From DE-OS 31 18 471 a fluid distributor for switching the Flow path between an inlet line and an outlet line device known by one of several connection units. Of the Fluid distributor has several in a row in a first valve housing  arranged first valves on by a drive device via a axially displaceable axis can be opened sequentially. The An Drive device also controls the second valves in a two th valve housing are arranged one behind the other. The first valves and the second valves are actuated in opposite directions by the drive device does. If the first valves when the axis moves from the right open to the left, starting with the inner first valve, close the second valves, starting with the outermost second valve. The outlet of the innermost first valve is with the inlet of the outermost second Valve connected via a connection unit. The outlet of the second innermost valve is via another connector unit with the inlet of the second outermost second valve. In every position the An Drive device is a pair of valves consisting of a first valve and a second valve opened. With all other valve pairs there is only one valve opened and the other valve closed.

An embodiment of the fluid distributor according to DE-OS 31 18 471 consists in that the first valves and the second valves each in a row inner arranged half of a tubular first or second valve housing and by a valve body carrying the ver sliding valve axis are controlled. Here, all the first Valves from the first valve axis and all second valves from the second valve axis according to the position of the drive device ge controls, the actuation of the first valves and the second valves done in opposite directions. The valve axis on which the valves are attached can consist of a continuous rod on which each valve Body stops are provided, between which the valve body can move axially. The valve axis is in another execution Example formed from tappets arranged one behind the other, on which each the valve body are attached. This is the valve axis Tappets are guided in bushings that have radial struts on the valve Are attached to the housing and each have an abutment for a spring.  

The struts mentioned can be through axial sleeves between the forehead walls of the housing can be axially fixed and between the sleeves can axially form washers to form the valve seats on the valve housing be fixed. Also in the fluid distributor according to DE-OS 31 18 471 are several for the valve body and for the individual pipe branches Items required, the inexpensive manufacture of the Fluidver partly oppose. Also a residue-free emptying behavior of the Fluid distributor when changing the media to be transported is on due to the construction of DE-OS 31 18 471 not possible.

The invention is therefore based on the object of a simple, inexpensive distribution system suitable for mass production for under to create different liquid media, especially for rivers liquid with abrasive components is suitable, the large collection line pipe diameter allows for any number of pipe branches can be provided to be transported when changing allowing liquids to be emptied without a deposit, and finally a simple regulation for opening and closing pipe branches gene enables.

According to the invention, these tasks are characterized by the in the solved the part of claim 1 specified features. Beneficial Developments of the subject matter of the invention are in the features of Subclaims 2 to 13 marked.

The advantages of the invention are in particular that the manifold consists of pipe sections put together that this pipe section te are movable against each other and that the move against each other pipe sections at their ends by flexible membranes are connected and away from the membranes pipe branches to lead. This makes it theoretically possible to have any number of pipe branches to build up successively and at the same time it is an expansion  possibility of the distribution system created without a change the existing piping is necessary. The distributor system can also be used with any size manifold pipe knives and there are different liquid media through the manifold or the pipe branches. This applies ins especially for liquids that contain abrasive components, because no shear movements at the pipe branches from the manifold take place in the closing and opening mechanism and since the resp towards the end faces of the adjacent pipe sections without any shear movement completely opposite the membrane chamber connecting them close off the media flowing through the manifold. Beyond that from the distribution system according to the invention when opening a pipe diversion via a simple control technology in the form of a mechanical Forced locking of all other non-opened pipe branches. A Another advantage of the distribution system according to the invention is a cost inexpensive production of the system, since the individual modules only from simple geometric shapes such as turned parts and pipe sections or membranes that are inexpensive and easy to mass produce can be produced. After all, it is an advantage of the distributor systems for liquid media that by choosing an appropriate angle the position of the Inner walls of the pipe sections and the pipe branches and the location the outer surfaces of the valve body and the valve rods an inclination in or perpendicular to the respective outlet direction. So you can the liquids transported from manifolds are largely full constantly remove or even during an intermediate cleaning of the distributor systems or the manifold before transporting another medi around a simple and complete intermediate cleaning or rinsing Carry out such that a depot-free emptying of the previously trans ported liquid from the distribution system or the manifold becomes possible.

The invention based on exemplary embodiments and explained in more detail by drawings.

Show it:

Fig. 1 The distribution system according to the invention for liquid media in a diagrammatic sketch in sectional view,

Fig. 2, 3, 4 and 5, the manifold system of Fig. 1 with its function as the position and in the operating state,

Fig. 6, the distribution system in an embodiment with two ge opened pipe branches and

Fig. 7, the distribution system with an additional flow direction.

From Fig. 1, the distribution system according to the invention for liquid media is shown in a schematic and sectional view. Pipe sections 1 form a manifold 2 . The pipe sections 1 are put together for this purpose and can be moved against each other. For this purpose, the pipe sections 1 have fasteners 3 , which are slidably mounted on guide rods 4 . The fasteners 3 are on the parallel to the manifold 2 arranged guide rods 4 by means of a drive 5 . The guide bars 4 are te between a mounting plate 6 and another Befestigungsplat 7, wherein on the mounting plate 7 and a mounting flange 8 is attached to the manifold system. With the mounting flange 8 , a fixed pipe section 9 is connected, the feed tion of the liquid media or liquids to the manifold 2 he enables, the hose or pipe connection to the fixed pipe section 9 is not shown in FIG. 1 and each can be designed as a rigid as well as a flexible hose or pipe connection depending on the application. The diameter of the mounting flange 8 is larger than the diameter of membrane 10 , the membranes are explained in more detail later.

The stacked pipe sections 1 of the manifold 2 can be manufactured inexpensively, since each pipe section, as can be seen from FIGS. 1 to 7, has a simple geometric shape. The pipe sections 1 can therefore be produced for example as turned parts or in any other manufacturing process suitable for such a purpose. Regardless of the diameter of the feed hose or feed pipe to the distribution system, not shown here, depending on the application, the diameters of the individual pipe sections 1 and thus the manifold 2 can be of any size. As a material for the pipe sections 1 , metals such as stainless steel, plastics, ceramic materials or coated materials such as steel with nickel or Teflon coatings can be used. The choice of material for the pipe sections 1 will depend on the intended use or the type of liquids to be transported with the distribution system. Through a suitable choice of materials that come into contact with the media to be transported, a wide range of applications for the distribution system can be achieved, for example in chemical manufacturing processes, in food technology and in water treatment. The simple geometric shape of the pipe sections 1 allows extensive independence in the selection of materials for the production of pipe sections. Chemical, thermal and mechanical resistance can thus be achieved through specific material selection for the respective application.

Depending on the requirements of practice, any number of pipe sections 1 can in principle be strung together. Even an already assembled distribution system, which is in operational use and in which the manifold 2 consists of several already installed pipe sections 1 , can be modularly expanded by any number of additional pipe sections 1 or pipe branches 16 without any change in the pipe sections 1 already attached. Each individual pipe section 1 has a shoulder 11 on the inside, which is used to support a valve body 12 . The valve body 12 is rigidly attached to a valve rod 13 , the valve rod 13 itself being arranged immovably and centrally in the pipe sections 1 or manifold 2 . The valve body 12 on the valve rod 13 are firmly assigned to the shoulders 11 of the respective pipe sections 1 , so that when the shoulders 11 abut the valve bodies 12, this valve is definitely closed. The valve rod 13 according to FIG. 1 can be formed in one piece. Another possibility is that rod segments which are rigidly connected to one another form the valve rod 13 , but this is not shown in the figures. Each rod segment carries a valve body 12 . Valve rods of any length can be formed with such rod segments, so that a corresponding number of valves can be created depending on the number of pipe branches assigned to the distribution system.

As already mentioned, the pipe sections 1 are designed to be displaceable relative to one another. Two adjacent pipe sections 1 are therefore each adjacent to one another with an end face 14 if the pipe branch 16 belonging to these two pipe sections is not to be open. On the two front sides 14 of two opposite and displaceable pipe sections 1 , a membrane 10 is attached. This is a flexible Mem bran that when extending adjacent, shiftable Rohrab sections 1 a valve chamber between the end faces 14 of the two pipe sections 1 forms. This membrane formed by the membrane 10 has a total of three openings, two openings with the same contour, as it has the inner cross section of the pipe sections 1 , and finally a third opening that leads to the pipe branch 16 , which you assigned pipe sections 1 and the relevant end faces 14 of the two opposite Rohrab sections 1 is assigned. The membrane 10 is thus out to the manifold 2 or the pipe sections 1 and to the pipe branches 16 . The membrane 10 , which forms a membrane chamber, is connected to the end faces 14 of two adjacent pipe sections 1, for example by gluing or any other connection technology suitable for such a purpose. The end faces 14 of the individual Rohrab sections 1 are designed accordingly in the shape of the end faces accordingly, so that when the two Stirnsei th 14 of adjacent pipe sections 1 come together, the membrane chamber is fully sealed, so that none in the manifold 2 or Liquid transported in the pipe sections 1 can reach the pipe branch 16 assigned to this membrane 10 . As a material for the membrane 10 , for example, Teflon or any other suitable composition of the material for the selected application can be selected. The choice of material will be made in such a way that, depending on the application of the distribution system or the nature of the liquid medium to be transported through the distribution system, there is chemical, thermal and mechanical resistance for these applications. Due to the stacking of the respective end faces 14 of two directly opposite pipe sections 1 , low-wear operation of the distribution system is achieved, since the seal by means of the associated membrane 10 between the two opposite pipe sections 1 is not achieved by any shearing movements, so that it is also possible to use abrasive media in the To transport distribution system without causing wear of the valves formed by the membrane for the associated pipe branch 16 . The respective end faces 14 of adjacent and mutually displaceable pipe sections 1 ver close when they lie against each other, the membrane chamber connecting them completely against the through the manifold 2 or the Rohrab sections 1 flowing media.

The pipe sections 1 of the manifold 2 are shifted with at least one fastening element 3 , preferably with two fastening elements, by means of drives 5 on the guide rods 4 . These drives 5 can be designed as hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders per fastening supply element 3 on the guide rod. Another possibility is the design of the drives as electromechanical individual drives per fastening element. In addition, the drives can be designed as reversible electromagnetic poles, which cause pairs of each fastener on the guide rods 4, the movement of the Rohrab sections 1 by mutual electromagnetic repulsion and tightening the poles. The drive options described above are shown in FIGS. 1 to 7 in block diagram representation as drive 5 , so as not to impair the clarity of the drawing. The total number of drives of the pipe sections 1 is coordinated and actuated by a corresponding control, which is also not shown.

By moving apart two adjacent pipe sections 1 in the axial direction 15 or by compressing the Stirnsei th 14 of the two adjacent pipe sections 1 , there is an opening of the manifold to the corresponding pipe branch 16 and its lock when moving the end faces 14th Since at auseinandergefah ren end faces 14 of adjacent and mutually displaceable pipe sections 1, these end faces are ben by a flexible membrane 10 , which bil det in the expanded state, a positive guidance of the liquid medium to be transported is achieved in the corresponding pipe branch 16 . By shifting or moving apart two adjacent Rohrabschnit te 1 all other opening options of the distribution system for pipe branches are blocked or sealed at the same time. In order to avoid mixing of conveyed media when switching over adjacent pipe branches 16 , that is to say when opening or closing the pipe branches, it is advisable to let the distribution system run empty beforehand. The pipe branches 16 and the open pipe section 20 are each provided with flexible connections, not shown in the figures, to the further hose or pipe connections, also not shown.

If with the distribution system for liquid media only the supply of a pipe branch 16 through the manifold with several existing and connected to the manifold pipe branches 16 success gene, the distribution system is designed such that on the one hand the valve rod 13 Ven one valve body 12 per pipe section 1 assigned is and on the other hand, the total length of the distribution system or the guide rod 4 from the number of added length dimensions of the juxtaposed pipe sections 1 and an additional longitudinal section, this longitudinal section of the displacement path 17 of a pipe section for opening and closing the end faces 14 of two adjacent ones Pipe sections 1 or the membrane chamber and thus corresponds to the pipe branch, see FIGS. 2 to 7.

If, on the other hand, not only one pipe branch 16 is to be supplied with the medium to be transported, the distributor system is designed as follows with simultaneous feeding of more than one pipe branch 16 through the collecting line 2 from a plurality of pipe branches 16 connected to the collecting line. On the one hand, the valve rod 13 is missing for each of the additional longitudinal sections 17 for the second and each further simultaneously opened pipe branch 16 of the valve body 12 per Rohrab section 1 , and on the other hand, the total length of the distribution system or the guide rod 4 is from the number of cumulative Längenabmes solutions 17 of the stacked pipe sections 1 and both an additional longitudinal section 17 and for the second and each further simultaneously opened pipe branch 16 again from a longitudinal section 17 together, these longitudinal sections each of the displacement path of a pipe section 1 for opening and closing two end faces 14 of adjacent pipe sections 1 or the membrane chamber and thus correspond to the pipe branch.

The blocking of pipe branches 16 in the distribution system is done as follows. In one or more open pipe branches 16 ge, the blocking of all other pipe branches occurs in the following manner that the one in the feed direction 18 from the fixed pipe section 9 most distant lock in the manifold by planting a valve body 12 to the shoulder 11 of the pipe section 1 at the next ge closed pipe branch 16 is done and that all other locks between the fixed pipe section 9 or the inlet pipe and before the first open pipe branch 16 located closed pipe branch 16 by the abutment of the respective end faces 14 of the pipe sections 1 .

As the above description of the operational sequence in the fiction, modern distribution system of FIGS. 2, 3, 4 and 5 has been shown is, in use, only with a tap 16 simple an auto mated and for the flow of flüssi gen media from the manifold into the distribution system Control technology installed. By opening a pipe branch 16 are by the end faces 14 of two adjacent Rohrab sections 1 are moved apart by a length dimension of a pipe section 1 , which due to the resulting mechanical locking of all other pipe branches 16 by moving the pipe sections 1 until they with their End faces 14 lie one on top of the other, all other pipe branches 16 are tightly closed. However, to be opened not only a pipe branch and permit flow of medium from the manifold to countries son several consecutive pipe branches 16 are opened simultaneously, so that the second or further geöffne th pipe branches are omitted 16 associated valve body. Since it is achieved that by opening the adjacent pipe branching 16 , the second and any further pipe branch 19 opened at the same time is also opened, see FIG. 6.

From FIGS. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 can also be seen that it is proper to use the invention for liquid media distribution system in the operating state in a given installation angle. In order to achieve good cleaning or good flushability, with only the manifold in the distribution system having to be cleaned or flushed, the position of the inner walls of the pipe sections 1 and the pipe branches 16 and the position of the outer surfaces of the valve body are in the distribution system 12 and the valve rods 13 as a function of the installation angle of the system in the operating state so that all these walls and surfaces have a tilt in or perpendicular to the respective outlet direction for the liquid media under the influence of gravity. Due to this position or position of the walls and outer surfaces of the distribution system, a depot-free emptying behavior for the transported liquids is achieved. As a result, no production residues remain in the distribution system and in the manifold, and there is also no contamination of various media transported in succession in the distribution system.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show, in the inventive distribution system an additional flow direction in an open tube portion 20 which is practically a continuation of the mutually opposite pipe sections 1 and the bus line 2. Fig. 7 shows the distribution system in the operating state Be with closed pipe branches 16 and the additional flow direction Chen over the open pipe section 20th

The direction of flow of the liquid media in the distribution system according to the invention can also be reversed. This means that the direction of flow of the media is directed into the manifold 2 from the respective pipe branch 16 or 19 . In the operating state, the distribution system is arranged mirror-inverted in this reversed flow direction in such a way that the pipe branches 16 , 19 for the inflow of the media to be transported are arranged above the collecting line 2 or the pipe sections 1 serving to drain the media. Specifically, this means that identical designs of the described distribution system according to the invention can only perform additional functions by changing their position in the operating state. By means of the branches 16 , 19 arranged above the collecting line 2 , a mixing or collecting of several liquids and a corresponding metering can take place by means of the inflowing media, which are then conveyed further in the collecting line.

Reference list

1 pipe sections
2 manifold
3 fastener
4 guide rod
5 drive
6 mounting plate
7 mounting plate
8 mounting flange
9 fixed pipe section, for the feed pipe or hose
10 membrane
11 shoulder
12 valve body
13 valve rod
14 end face
15 axial direction
16 pipe branch
17 longitudinal section
18 Inflow direction
19 second pipe branch open at the same time
20 open pipe section

Claims (13)

1. Distribution system for liquid media, such as. As liquids, with a manifold, from which lead several pipe branches, where valves are assigned to open and close the pipe branches at the pipe branches, furthermore the valves associated with the pipe branches consist of valve seats and valve bodies assigned to them, the valve bodies are per Rigidly attached to a valve guide arranged centrally in the manifold, characterized in that the manifold ( 2 ) consists of pipe sections ( 1 ) placed next to one another, that the pipe sections ( 1 ) can be moved relative to one another, that in the interior of each pipe section ( 1 ) one Shoulder ( 11 ) for contacting a valve body ( 12 ) is provided that a valve rod ( 13 ) with valve bodies ( 12 ) rigidly attached there is arranged centrally in the manifold ( 2 ), the valve body ( 12 ) being the shoulders ( 11 ) of the is assigned to the respective pipe sections ( 1 ) that the valve rod ( 13 ) is immovably arranged in the distribution system that two adjacent, mutually displaceable pipe sections ( 1 ) are connected at their end faces ( 14 ) by a flexible membrane ( 10 ) which forms a membrane chamber between these pipe sections, and that Membrane ( 10 ) for collecting line ( 2 ) and a pipe branch ( 16 ) is open that the respective end faces ( 14 ) of pipe sections ( 1 ), when they are against each other, the membrane chamber connecting them completely ge compared to that by Close the manifold flowing media and that in one or more open pipe branches ( 16 ) the blocking of all other pipe branches ( 16 ) takes place in such a way that the one most distant lock in the feed line from the fixed pipe section ( 9 ) or from the feed pipe in the manifold by system a valve body ( 12 ) to the shoulder ( 11 ) of the pipe section ( 1 ) at the next closed n pipe branch ( 16 ) takes place and that all other locks between the inlet pipe and before the first open pipe branch ( 16 ) located closed pipe branches ( 16 ) by the abutment of the respective end faces ( 14 ) of the pipe sections ( 1 ). 2. Distribution system according to claim 1, characterized in that the mutually displaceable pipe sections ( 1 ) of the collecting line ( 2 ) each have one or more fastening elements ( 3 ) that with these fastening elements, the individual pipe sections ( 1 ) parallel to the manifold (2) are guide lying rods (4) are guided, and that each fastening element (3) arranged on the guide rod (4) drive is assigned to (5), wherein the drives coordinated (5) by an appropriate control and actuates . 3. Distribution system according to one or more of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the drives ( 5 ) are designed as hydraulic or pneumatic cylinders. 4. Distribution system according to one or more of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the drives ( 5 ) are designed as electromechanical individual drives. 5. Distribution system according to one or more of claims 1 to 2, characterized in that the drives ( 5 ) are formed as reversible electromagnetic poles which work by means of mutual repulsion and tightening of the poles. 6. Distribution system according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that for the supply of only one pipe branch ( 16 ) through the manifold ( 2 ) of several to the manifold ( 2 ) closed pipe branches ( 16 ), the distribution system is formed that on the one hand the valve rod ( 13 ) is assigned one valve body ( 12 ) per pipe section ( 1 ) and that on the other hand the total length of the distribution system from the number of added length dimensions of the stacked pipe sections ( 1 ) and an additional longitudinal section ( 17th ), this longitudinal section ( 17 ) corresponds to the displacement distance of a pipe section ( 1 ) for opening and closing the membrane chamber or the pipe branch ( 16 ). 7. Distribution system according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that for the simultaneous supply of more than one pipe branch ( 16 ) through the manifold ( 2 ) of several to the manifold ( 2 ) connected pipe branches ( 16 ) the distributor system is designed such that on the one hand the valve rod ( 13 ) for each additional longitudinal section ( 17 ) for the second and each further simultaneously open pipe branch ( 16 ) of the valve body ( 12 ) per pipe section ( 16 ) is missing and that on the other hand the total length the distribution system from the number of cumulative Längenabmes solutions of the juxtaposed pipe sections ( 1 ) and both an additional longitudinal section ( 17 ) as well as for the second and each further simultaneously opened pipe branch ( 16 ) again each an additional longitudinal section ( 17 ), these longitudinal sections ( 17 ) each of the displacement path correspond to a Rohrabschnit tes ( 1 ) for opening and closing the membrane chamber or the pipe branch ( 16 ). 8. Distribution system according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the position of the inner walls of the pipe sections ( 1 ) and the pipe branches ( 16 ) and the position of the outer surfaces of the valve body ( 12 ) and valve rods ( 13 ) in dependence of the installation angle of the distribution system in the operating state are designed such that all these walls and surfaces have an inclination in or perpendicular to the respective direction of discharge for the media standing under the influence of gravity. 9. Distribution system according to one or more of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the valve rod ( 13 ) is composed of valve rod segments which are rigidly connected to one another. 10. Distribution system according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the diameter of the pipe sections ( 1 ) of the manifold ( 2 ) of the distribution system can be changed freely and adapted to the application. 11. Distribution system according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that a distribution system in operation with a manifold ( 2 ) and several installed pipe sections ( 1 ) without changing the already attached pipe branches ( 1 ) modular by any number of additional Pipe sections ( 1 ) or pipe branches ( 16 , 19 ) can be expanded. 12. Distribution system according to one or more of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the materials of the parts of the distribution system coming into contact with the transported media, such as pipe sections ( 1 ), membranes ( 10 ) etc., or their surface chemically, thermally and are designed to be mechanically resistant to the media to be transported in the respective application. 13. Distribution system according to one or more of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that the flow direction of the liquid media in the distribution system from the respective pipe branches ( 16 ) in the manifold ( 2 ) is set out and that the distribution system in the operating state is mirror-inverted such is arranged such that each of the two Rohrab conditions (16,19) for the inflow of the to be transported via the media serving the process of the media collecting line (2) and the pipe sections (1) are arranged.