DE9101097U1 - Mechanically releasable fluid coupling for reusable containers with external forced ventilation for the transport, storage and removal of fluids as well as for the connection and protection of a fluid system - Google Patents

Description

Mechanical unlockable fluid coupling for reusable containers with external forced ventilation for transport, storage and removal of fluids as well as for connecting and securing a fluid systems .

The invention relates to a mechanically unlockable fluid coupling for reusable containers, e.g. for barrels of engine oil, which is arranged in the suction-side branch of a fluid system with external forced ventilation; the containers are used for transport, storage and removal. The coupling consists of a shut-off valve and a forced parallel ventilation valve on the container side, and a suction valve on the system connection side, as well as a static back-pressure valve connected hydraulically in parallel. The entire device, consisting of the coupling, the container and the suction line, is part of a fluid system with a delivery device (pump) for the calibrated or uncalibrated delivery of fluids to third parties. The coupling thus represents the optimized hydraulic interface of a standardized reusable container (e.g. barrel or container) in the suction-side branch of a technical fluid system.

Mechanically unlockable hydraulic couplings for reusable containers, e.g. for dispensing liquids for consumer use, e.g.

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of beer are known; one coupling half is part of the container, the other of the dispensing device (e.g. tap). The coupling of both halves is mechanical; then the hydraulic connection between the container and the dispensing device is established by a second device of mechanical unlocking (e.g. handle) of check valves on both sides. A hydraulic flow is created by manually opening a tap. The energy required for this is introduced into the hydraulic system by static gas pressure, e.g. by carbon dioxide when tapping beer, directly into the reusable container via the pressure application and shut-off valves (coupling half A) that are necessarily connected in parallel, i.e. the coupling is located directly on the pressure side in a system that does not require a pump. On the coupling half B there is a check valve that can be opened by the pressure after the mechanical actuation of the coupling; Part of this half is the pressure connection for forwarding the respective substance or medium to the delivery point, which is usually designed separately.

The hydraulic energy density of such a system is relatively low; the discharge volumes per unit of time are low, the operating viscosity of the media is low, the pipe lengths and diameters are small. For larger systems, this type of hydraulic energy input is far from sufficient; hydraulic conveying devices (pumps) are required, divided into the pressure and suction side of such a system. The hydraulic conveying capacity required here is determined by the product of pressure times flow (N = ρ × V).

For professional industrial dispensing systems, especially when the operating viscosities can be high to very high, e.g. for gear oils under the influence of cold, only the following solutions for reusable containers come into consideration. The actual performance part of the system is arranged on the pressure side behind a conveying device (pump); here, any high to extremely high delivery rates are possible

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can be used. On the suction side of the system, on the other hand, the storage and removal of the fluid is arranged, according to the invention using reusable containers in the form of barrels or containers, which must be easily exchangeable. Their reusable use directly meets the modern requirements of environmental protection. Depending on the size of such systems and the volume of liquid they store, a further safety measure is essential. Due to external thermal influences, temperature increases lead to hydraulic increases in the respective volume of liquid; experience has shown that this can lead to the failure of the weakest link in the hydraulic system, e.g. a hose bursting. When the system is in a static idle state, i.e. without any pumping effect from the pump, the suction side is also affected, because technical leaks in the pumps always lead to pressure equalization in the entire system.

The object of the invention is therefore to create a solution for such fluid systems in accordance with the hydraulic performance, which enables the easy coupling and uncoupling of reusable containers and at the same time protects the system against inadmissible hydraulic overpressures when at rest. This is achieved by the following measures according to the invention.

The task is solved in a structural unit in the form of a hydraulic fluid coupling, which consists of two coupling halves. This coupling is arranged on the suction side of the system on the reusable container; coupling half A is an integrated component of the respective transportable reusable container; coupling half B, on the other hand, is only installed once in the suction line of the system. In the idle state, a back pressure relief valve hydraulically protects the system against inadmissible overpressures, both when the reusable container is coupled and not coupled, depending on the valve adjustment; arranged in parallel is the suction valve (system-side coupling) which is open during the respective suction process, i.e. when the feed pump is operating.

Sheet 4

010/91-400 Dr. Hu/Vo Date 28. 01. 1991

half B); a ventilation channel with a threaded connection into which a moisture and/or ventilation filter can be screwed is connected upstream of the suction valve via the coupling half A; the back pressure of the system is relieved via this channel when the container is coupled. When coupled, a shut-off valve and the upstream ventilation valve on the container are opened mechanically (coupling half A on the container side).

Some preferred embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawing; in detail

Figure 1 shows the hydraulic circuit diagram of the fluid system with the integrated fluid coupling (functional circuit diagram).

Figure 2 shows two reusable containers arranged hydraulically in parallel in the fluid system (functional circuit diagram).

Figure 3 shows a preferred embodiment of a complete fluid coupling in a sectional view, in which the mechanical coupling (with a sliding coupling) and the actuation (hydraulic unlocking) are designed separately (switching position: mechanically coupled, hydraulically locked)

Figure 4 shows the fluid coupling according to Fig. 3 in the front and side view (switching position: mechanically coupled, hydraulically locked).

Figure 5 shows the fluid coupling in the basic structural design as in Fig. 3, but with a mechanical coupling through a thread and the simultaneous semi-automatic hydraulic opening through the thread movement (switching position: mechanically not yet fully coupled, hydraulically still locked; intermediate position).

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Figure 6 shows the fluid coupling in the basic design as in Fig. 3, but with a mechanical coupling through a bayonet lock, the system suction line connection is right-angled (switching position.· not mechanically and hydraulically coupled).

Figure 7 shows the fluid coupling as part of a mobile complete fluid system as a preferred embodiment of a specific dispensing device (not operational).

First, the hydraulic circuit diagram according to Fig. 1. The complete fluid system (3) consists of a hydraulic conveyor (18) with a pump (21) and the drive motor (22), the pressure side (19) with the tap (20) and the suction side (2) with the system suction line (10) and in particular the ready-to-use container (23). The latter consists of the coupling half B (9) and the reusable container (24), which in turn comprises the container (5), pre-filled with fluid (25), and the coupling half A (4), and is thus suitable for storage and transport; in this case, the coupling half A (4) is tightly sealed (not shown). After the reusable container (24) has been introduced into the fluid system (3), i.e. the mechanical coupling of the coupling half A (4) with the coupling half B (9), a hydraulic connection is created for the now operational container (23) as follows and actuation of the tap (20) enables the dispensing of fluids while the pump (21) is running. In the coupling half A (4), the shut-off valve (6) is opened mechanically, which is connected to the fluid (25) of the container (5) via the container suction line (7). Upstream of the fluid (25) is the ventilation valve (8), which is opened mechanically at the same time. In the coupling half B (9), on the one hand, the connection to the moisture filter (14) and/or ventilation filter (15) is established via the ventilation channel (13), which ensures the ventilation and de-aeration inside the container (5); on the other hand, the hydraulic connection to the system suction line (10) is established via the

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Suction valve (11) that opens during the suction process of the pump (21) and thus enables the fluid (25) to be conveyed from the container (5) via the system suction line (10) to the pressure side (19). When the pump (21) is at rest, the suction valve (11) is closed. If a static hydraulic overpressure builds up due to external heat effects on the fluid system (3) when the pump (21) is at rest, the shock relief valve (12) connected parallel to the suction valve (11) opens until this overpressure is reduced; in this case, a certain volume flows back into the container (5) via the container suction line (7), while at the same time the air is returned to the free atmosphere via the ventilation valve (8), the ventilation channel (13) and the filter unit (48). The actuation of the coupling, i.e. The hydraulic connection of both coupling halves A (4) and B (9) can be carried out either semi-automatically with a mechanical connection of both halves or in a special process of the actuating device (16).

In Fig. 2, two containers (23) are each in a fully coupled state, each with a parallel suction-side outlet line (46), hydraulically connected to the system suction line (10) via a 3/2-way valve (26). By manually operating the 3/2-way valve (26), either of the two containers (23) can be switched over. This occurs when a reusable container (24) is empty and needs to be replaced with a full one without affecting the operational readiness of the fluid system (3). The 3/2-way valve can also be designed for an electrical circuit (solenoid valve).

In Fig. 3, the mechanical coupling takes place in the joint (27) of the coupling half A (4), as part of the reusable container (24) with the container (5), the fluid and the container suction line (7), and the coupling half B (9), with the system suction line connection (28); it is locked by a horizontal sliding seat (38). The subsequent hydraulic unlocking takes place by vertically pressing down the hand lever (29) against the force of the actuating spring (31) and its subsequent

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Twist to secure in the recess (30). At the same time, the sliding body (32) with the sliding sleeve (33) is guided downwards against the force of the actuating spring (31), pressing on the coupling seal (34) and at the same time opening the suction channel (35) by externally moving over the suction holes (36) of the container suction line (7), which represents the opening of the shut-off valve (6), and opens the sealing seat (37) of the ventilation valve (8). The ventilation channel (13) leads to the combined moisture (14) and ventilation filter (15). The coupling seal (34), the sealing seat (37) and the sealing spring (49) ensure that the reusable container (24) prevents fluid (25) from leaking out and/or dirt or similar from entering in all states of transport and storage, as long as the fluid coupling (54) is activated by coupling the coupling halves A (4) and B (9). The hydraulic connection to the system suction line connection (28) is made from the suction channel (35) via the suction seat (39) and the suction spring (40) of the suction valve (11). The shock relief valve (12) with the valve ball (42) and the relief spring (43) is integrated in the plate (41) of the suction valve (11). In order to prevent reusable containers (24) for different fluids (25) from being mixed up, e.g. To prevent mixing of engine oil with brake fluid, for example, the diameter and height of the coupling surface (59) are kept different; for identical fluids (25), these dimensions of one coupling half A (4) and B (9) are constant for a fluid coupling (54).

In Fig. 4 as an external view of Fig. 3, the reusable container (24) extends to the joint (27) between both coupling halves A (4) and B (9). The mechanical coupling is made using the sliding seat (38). The hand lever (29) switches the coupling to hydraulic operational readiness by pressing it down and locking it in the recess (30). When the pump is pumping, the fluid (25) is sucked from the container (5) into the system suction line connection (28) via the container suction line (7) and the two coupling halves A (4) and B (9) and from there into the fluid system (3).

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In Fig. 5, the hand lever (29) is used exclusively for screwing the coupling half B (9) onto the coupling half A (4) using a screw thread (44). The axial movement when screwing on mechanically connects the coupling and simultaneously releases it semi-automatically hydraulically.

In Fig. 6, a bayonet lock (45) is used by pressing down the coupling half B (9) against the action of the actuating spring (31) and the coupling half A (4) and then turning them for mechanical coupling and simultaneous semi-automatic hydraulic release; the coupling parting line is (27).

In Fig. 7, the fluid coupling (54), consisting of the coupling half A (4) and the coupling half B (9) with the container (5) is shown as part of a mobile fluid system (3); the reusable container (24) in turn consists of the coupling half A (4) and the container (5). All parts of the fluid system (3) are integrated in or on the housing (50); in particular, wheels (51) make the system mobile, the power supply is via an electrical plug (52) and a cable (53). A tap (55) with a hose (56) serves as a dispensing device, a quantity display (57) and a quantity pre-selection (58) complete the external appearance of the system, which is shown in the present illustration as an example for self-service operation.

Claims (11)

Protection claims 1. Releasable fluid coupling for reusable containers with two connections, two shut-off valves connected in series and one in parallel, a mechanical actuator and/or a mechanical coupling, characterized in that at least one structural unit (1), arranged on the suction side (2) of a fluid system (3), consists of - a coupling half A (4) on the container (5) with a shut-off valve (6) and a container suction line (7), as well as - necessarily connected in parallel - a ventilation valve (8) and - a coupling half B (9) in the system suction line (10), with a suction valve (11), and connected in parallel, a back relief valve (12), both connected downstream of a ventilation channel (13) for the ventilation valve (8), which in turn is preceded by a moisture filter (14) and/or a ventilation filter (15), and a mechanical actuating device (16); and - both coupling halves A (4) and B (9) are provided with a mechanical coupling device (17). 2. Fluid coupling according to claim 1,
characterized in that two structural units (1) in two containers (23) are alternatively connected in parallel and their suction-side outlet lines (46) are combined in a 3/2-way valve (26). 3. Fluid coupling according to one or more of claims 1 and 2, characterized in that the 3/2-way valve (26) has a hand lever (29) or an electrical connection for a magnet for actuation. 010/91-400 Dr. Hu/Vo Sheet 2 Date 28.01.1991 4. Fluid coupling according to one or more of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the back relief valve (12) with an inner flow channel (47) is arranged on the suction valve (11). 5. Fluid coupling according to one or more of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the coupling device (17) is equipped with a screw thread (44), bayonet lock (45), sliding body (32) or sliding sleeve (33). 6. Fluid coupling according to one or more of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the actuating device (16) consists of a hand lever (29). 7. Fluid coupling according to one or more of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the moisture filter (14) and ventilation filter (15) are designed as a filter unit (48). 8. Fluid coupling according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that its coupling half A (4) with the container (5) as an exchangeable reusable container (24) is hydraulically coupled as desired with the coupling half B (9) as a transition to a permanently installed fluid system (3) (stationary fluid system). 9. Fluid coupling according to one or more of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that its coupling half A (4) with the container (5) as an exchangeable reusable container (24) can be connected as desired to the coupling half B (9) as a transition within a movable fluid system (3), which is housed in a housing (50) and mounted on wheels, rollers (51) or the like and has an electrical 010/91-400 Dr. Hu/Vo Sheet 3 Date 28.01.1991 Plug (52) with a cable (53) is hydraulically coupled (mobile fluid system). 10. Fluid coupling according to one or more of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the back relief valve (12) is arranged coaxially to the suction valve (11). 11. Fluid coupling according to one or more of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the coupling surface (59) for different fluids (25) is different in terms of its height and diameter so as to prevent confusion, but is constant for the coupling halves A (4) and B (9) of a fluid coupling (54).