EP0254764A1 - Means for selectively joining at least one of a first set of stationary conduits to any one of a second set of stationary conduits - Google Patents

Abstract

1. Means for selectively joining at least one first stationary conduit for fluid with a plurality of second stationary conduits by means of a movable conduit connection cooperating with the first and the second stationary conduits by means of removable coupling means, said coupling means comprising female coupling members (17) and male coupling members (13), said male coupling members having a radial holding edge with the shape of a circular arc, said female coupling members (17) having a coupling ring segment (27) with a radial flange portion extending only about the arc length of 180 degrees or less, said flange portion engaging behind the holding edge of said male coupling member (13) if the front surfaces (22, 23) of cooperating coupling members (13, 17) are pushed along one another approximately in a common plane and thereafter sealingly abut, characterized in that said first and said second conduits include a movable connection conduit (10, 15), respectively, said connection conduit having a connection head (20, 21) at the free end, the connection heads of the first conduits are guided by means of a first guidance along parallel first axes and the connection heads of said second conduits are guided by means of a second guidance along parallel second axes extending perpendicular with respect to said first axes, and said connection heads have angled end pieces the ends of which holding said female coupling members (17) or male coupling members (13) such that all the front surfaces are approximately in one coupling plane.

Description

The invention relates to a device for selectively connecting at least one first stationary line for fluid to a plurality of second stationary lines by means of a movable line connection and a coupling arrangement.

In the mineral oil industry or in many other chemical or process engineering areas, the task is to choose a first number of stationary lines with a number of second stationary lines to connect wisely. The connection should be such that any first lines can be connected to any second lines - if possible also overlapping in time. Conventionally, this is done with the help of connecting hoses, articulated arms, etc., which are connected to the ends of the first and second lines. The connecting lines are often firmly coupled to the first or the second lines, while they can optionally be coupled to any second or first lines. The connection itself is established by operating personnel who couple the coupling part at the free end of a connecting line in the desired manner with the coupling part of a stationary line. Such an arrangement has some disadvantages.

The handling of the connecting hoses is extremely exhausting, especially with larger nominal sizes. It can also be dangerous for the operator if a coupling he produces unintentionally separates. It can be hit by the connecting hose set in motion by recoil and suffer injuries. He can also come into contact with the fluid, which poses the greatest dangers, particularly in the case of caustic, toxic or similarly dangerous substances.

Conventional distributors cannot be operated automatically and mostly cannot be pigged continuously.

Another disadvantage of conventional distribution devices is that an incorrect line connection is accidentally made. This may have considerable effects on the production process and causes a corresponding effort due to the lost product quantities and / or production facilities that have become unusable. Production time is also lost. It is therefore also known to provide additional monitoring devices which indicate an incorrect line connection or only release the flow of a medium when there is a corresponding positive signal from the monitoring device.

A distribution device has already become known in which a plurality of male coupling parts are arranged in a stationary manner in such a way that adjacent stationary coupling parts are each at the same distance from one another and their end faces lie in one plane and in which two mother coupling parts with coupling ring segments are attached to the ends of a 180 ° distributor pipe bend and have a distance from each other that corresponds to the distance between adjacent stationary male coupling parts (DE-PS 32 10 558). With such a distribution device normally only two lines can be connected to each other. It is also a prerequisite that the ends of the line are each approximately in one Level. Finally, the known distribution device also requires manipulation by auxiliary personnel, albeit simplified.

From the cited document a distribution device has also become known in which a plurality of stationary male coupling parts are arranged on a circular arc, the end faces of which lie in a plane in which a further coupling part is arranged in the center of the circle, which is constantly rotatably coupled to a further coupling part, which is arranged at the end of a 180 ° pipe bend, a mother coupling part being attached to the other free end of the pipe bend, which can optionally be connected to one of the stationary male coupling parts. In such a distribution device, only a first line is selectively connected to one of several second lines. An expansion to the effect that several first lines can optionally be connected to several second lines is not possible.

Both of the last-mentioned known distribution devices use through-type couplings which have end faces which lie flush and sealingly against one another, the mother coupling part having a coupling ring segment which extends only over an arc length of 180 ° or extends less and has a radial flange portion which engages behind a radial retaining edge of the male coupling part.

The invention has for its object to provide a continuously piggable device for the optional connection of at least one first stationary line for fluid with a plurality of second stationary lines with the help of a movable line connection that enables a simple and quick line connection without additional manipulation effort and also for automatic production of line connections is suitable.

This object is achieved in that the first and second lines each have a movable connecting line which contains a connecting head at the free end, the connecting heads of the first lines using a first guide along parallel first axes and the connecting heads of the second lines using a second guide along parallel second axes, which are perpendicular to the first axes, are guided, the connecting heads have angled end pieces, the ends of which hold mother coupling parts or father coupling parts, which have end faces which all lie in approximately one coupling plane, the male coupling parts have a circular radial retaining edge, the female coupling parts have a coupling ring segment with a radial flange section which only extends over an arc length of 180 ° or less, which engages behind the retaining edge of the male coupling part when the end faces of cooperating coupling parts seal against one another lie.

It is essential to the invention that a movable connecting line is connected to each stationary line, the head of which can be moved along a straight axis with the aid of a guide. Since the axes of the first and second connecting heads are perpendicular to one another, there is a coupling point or a coupling position for a first and a second connecting line or their coupling part, in which the end faces of the coupling parts lie opposite one another. Therefore, if the connection heads of the assigned connection line are moved by the amount that their common connection point has from the starting line for a desired line connection, both connection heads or their coupling parts automatically come into alignment. The mother coupling part has a coupling ring segment, which with a retaining edge of the father coupling part interacts. It goes without saying that the ring segment must be arranged in such a way that it can grip the retaining edge when the coupling parts move together in directions offset by 90 °.

In the distribution device according to the invention, the coupling positions lie on the nodes of a grid or the intersections of a matrix. If the connection heads are designed so that the coupling end faces have a sufficient distance from their guide, any number of connections can be made without the connection heads interfering with one another.

The distribution device according to the invention has a number of significant advantages.

The individual coupling positions or points can be moved very closely together, so that the overall space requirement is extremely small. Furthermore, the coupling area does not need to be accessed if the connecting lines are adjusted automatically or by means of power drives. Hazards to operators are therefore eliminated.

The distribution device according to the invention is suitable for the complete automatic production of line connections. If the corresponding lines are controlled correctly, a correct coupling will automatically result. The establishment of incorrect line connections is excluded. Additional monitoring measures are not required.

A particularly space-saving embodiment of the invention provides that the first and second axes each lie in one plane. Furthermore, the first and second axes are preferably at the same distance from one another. The distance between the axes is determined by the minimum distance between the guides.

One embodiment of the invention provides that the connecting lines are hoses which have a loop between the associated stationary line and the connecting head when the connecting head is not in the fully extended position. In this embodiment, the connecting head itself must cooperate with the guide so that the associated coupling part is guided with its end face in the coupling plane. The hose loop ensures that there is sufficient hose available so that all coupling positions can be reached.

An alternative embodiment provides that the connecting lines have telescopic tubes. With smaller nominal diameters, the telescopic tubes can be guided through the tubes themselves if the extension of the extended telescopic tube part is not too large. In the case of larger overhangs or larger nominal widths, the connecting head is expediently guided in order to guide the end faces of the coupling parts along the coupling plane.

Finally, articulated pipe connections can also be used to make the connection heads movable. For all movable connecting lines, however, it is advantageous if a lock is provided in the respective coupling positions, which prevents the coupling parts from being moved apart. It is not necessary to lock the coupling parts immediately.

According to a further embodiment of the invention, a drive device is coupled to the connection heads, which is connected to a control device such that each connection head can be moved along its adjustment axis to the respective coupling points. The control device controls the respective drive devices in such a way that the connecting heads are moved in cycles, the greatest cycle length in each case corresponding to the distance between two coupling points. The control device can carry out a mechanical or an electronic clocking.

The special design of male and female coupling parts means that if possible one of the two coupling parts first reaches the coupling position. In one embodiment of the invention, the control device brings the male coupling parts into the coupling position in front of the assigned female coupling part.

Various constructive solutions are available for guiding the connection heads. According to the invention, one is that the first and second guides have parallel rails, on which the connecting heads are guided in a sliding or rolling manner. Alternatively, the first and second guides can also be formed by parallel roller tracks, on which the connecting heads are guided in a rolling manner.

• Fig. 1 zeigt äußerst schematisch eine Darstellung der erfindungsgemäßen Verteilvorrichtung.
• Fig. 2 zeigt ebenfalls äußerst schematisch einen Verbindungs­schlauch für eine erfindungsgemäße Verteilvorrichtung.
• Fig. 3 zeigt einen Schnitt durch die Darstellung nach Fig. 1 entlang der Linie 3-3, jedoch mit zu­sätzlichen konstruktiven Einzelheiten.
• Fig. 4 zeigt einen Schnitt durch die Darstellung nach Fig. 3 entlang der Linie 4-4.

The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to drawings.

• 1 shows an extremely schematic representation of the distribution device according to the invention.
• Fig. 2 also shows very schematically a connecting hose for a distribution device according to the invention.
• Fig. 3 shows a section through the representation of FIG. 1 along the line 3-3, but with additional design details.
• FIG. 4 shows a section through the representation according to FIG. 3 along the line 4-4.

Before going into the details shown in the drawings, it should be stated that each of the features described is of importance for the invention, either individually or in conjunction with features of the claims.

1 shows a first group of telescopic tubes 10 with a stationary outer tube 11 and a movable inner tube 12. The movable tubes 12 are curved to a 90 ° bend at the free end and have a coupling part 13. It is assumed that the telescopic tubes 12 are below the plane of the drawing. Then end faces of the coupling parts 13 are in the plane of the drawing. All telescopic tubes 12 are adjustable in the direction of the Y axis. The adjustment device is not shown.

A second group of telescopic tube arrangements 14 has fixed tubes 15 and movable tubes 16. The fixed tubes 15, like the fixed tubes 11, are each connected to a stationary line in a manner not shown. The movable tubes 16 are curved at the ends in a 90 ° arc. It is said taken that the tubes 16 are above the drawing plane, then end faces of coupling parts 17 are at the ends of the pipes 16 in the drawing plane. The movable tubes 16 are adjustable in the X direction.

From the grid shown in dashed lines in Fig. 1 it can be seen that two movable tubes 12, 16 can be coupled at one point by means of their coupling parts 13, 17. This is shown as an example in FIG. 1 for point 18. The type of guidance of the movable tubes 12, 16 and the structure of the coupling parts 13, 17 is explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.

As already mentioned, the movable pipes 12, 16 are provided with a 90 ° pipe bend 20, 21. The nut coupling part 17, which has a metallic end face 22, is welded to the end of the pipe bend 21. At the end of the pipe bend 20, the male coupling part 13 is welded, which has a metallic end face 23, in which a seal 24 is embedded. In the coupled position, the end faces 22, 23 lie against one another in a sealing manner. The mother coupling part 17 is provided with an annular groove 25 on the circumference, and the male coupling part 13 with a circumferential annular groove 26.

An approximately U-shaped retaining ring 27 extends around the mother coupling part by slightly less than 180 °, as can be seen in FIG. 4, and sits with one leg in the annular groove 25. In the coupling position, the other leg of the retaining ring 27 engages the groove 26, the groove wall closest to the nut coupling part 17 constituting a retaining edge. If the male coupling part 13 has already reached the position 18 shown in FIG. 1, the female coupling part can use the retaining ring 27 to connect to the male coupling part when it is moved along the X-axis.

The overall annular male coupling part 13 is surrounded by a ring 28 with a rectangular cross section, which is fastened to the coupling part. A rectangular guide piece 29 is attached to the underside of coupling part 13 and ring 28, which has parallel guide grooves 30, 31 in cross section on parallel, opposite sides, into which guide rails 32, 33 engage. The guide rails are suspended from rods 35. It is clear that two connecting rails 32, 33 belong to each connecting head or movable tube 12 of the Y axis.

Around the circular nut coupling part 17 is a Ring 36 fixed with the aid of a screw bolt 37, with which a connecting part 39 is fixed with the aid of a screw 38. The connecting part 39 is connected to the retaining ring 27 of the mother coupling part 17. The ring 36 is in turn connected via four screws 40 to a rectangular stirring piece 41 which, like the guide piece 29, has guide grooves on opposite sides for engaging the guide rails 42, 43 (see FIG. 4). The guide rails 42, 43 are suspended on the same rods 35. Two guide rails 42, 43 are therefore also required for the X direction, for a movable tube 16 or a connecting head 21.

On a bracket 44, which is attached to the guide piece 41 at 45 and on the other hand at a distant fixed point, a chain 46 is attached, which can be brought into engagement with a sprocket, not shown. The chain wheel is driven by a suitable drive motor. A rotation of the chain wheel leads to a translational movement of the chain 46 and thus to a movement of the mother coupling part 17 in the X direction. A corresponding drive is provided for the connection head 20. A control device, not shown, can be designed so that the coupling positions shown in Fig. 1 for the individual telescopic tubes 10, 14 are reached. The male coupling part 13 is preferably first moved into position before the female coupling part 17 follows. The coupling ring 27 therefore interacts with the male coupling part 13 after the latter has already reached its end position.

In Figs. 1, 3 and 4, telescopic arrangements for the movable line connection have been described. In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the line connection is formed by a hose. In Fig. 2, a hose 50 is shown, which is provided at the free end with a 90 ° bend 51, which holds, for example, a mother coupling part 52 at its free end, which is movable in the coupling plane 53 in the X direction. The guidance required for this can be designed as explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4. The hose 15 is guided over a loose roller 53 and forms a loop 54 behind it. At the other end, the hose is connected to a stationary line 55. A drive device, not shown, moves the connecting head 51 into the desired coupling position. 56 denotes a male coupling part on the 90 ° elbow 57, which is connected to a hose 58 - corresponding to hose 50. A large number of such connecting hoses replaces the telescopic tube arrangement according to FIG. 1 in the X and Y directions. Articulated arms can also be used instead of the hoses are used, which are arranged, for example, like scissors, to allow movement of the coupling parts.

Regardless of the nature of the connecting lines, the distributor arrangement shown can be pigged throughout.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, it is advantageous to provide a neutral end position for all connecting lines, which runs along the X or Y direction.

As can be easily seen, distributor arrangements of the type shown can be controlled completely automatically according to a predetermined program. A separate monitoring for correct connections is not necessary. Correctly controlled connection lines cannot cause incorrect couplings.

Claims (10)

1. Device for selectively connecting at least a first stationary line for fluid to a plurality of second stationary lines with the aid of a movable line connection and a coupling arrangement, characterized in that the first and second lines each have a movable connecting line (10, 14) which at the free end contains a connecting head (20, 21), the connecting heads of the first lines using a first guide along parallel first axes and the connecting heads of the second lines using a second guide along parallel second axes that are perpendicular to the first axes, are guided, the connecting heads have angled end pieces, the ends of which hold mother coupling parts (17) or father coupling parts (13), the end faces (22, 23), which are all in approximately a coupling plane, the father coupling parts (13) have an arcuate radial retaining edge , The mother coupling parts (17) have a coupling ring segment (27) with a radial flange section which only extends over an arc length of 180 ° or less and which holds the retaining edge of the Father coupling part (13) engages behind when the end faces (22, 23) of interacting coupling parts (13, 17) lie sealingly against each other. 2. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that the first and second axes each lie in one plane. 3. Apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first and second axes are equidistant from each other. 4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connecting lines are hoses (50) which have a loop (54) between the associated stationary line (55) and the connecting head (51) when the connecting head (51 ) is not in the fully extended position. 5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the connecting lines have telescopic tubes (10, 14). 6. Device according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that with the connecting heads (20, 21) a drive device is coupled, which is connected to a control device such that each connecting head can be moved into the respective coupling position along its adjustment axis. 7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that the control device brings the male coupling parts (13) in time before the assigned female coupling part (17) in the coupling position. 8. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first and second guides have parallel rails (32, 33; 42, 43) on which the connecting heads (20, 21) are guided in a sliding or rolling manner. 9. Device according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first and second guides are parallel roller tracks, on which the connecting heads are guided in a rolling manner. 10. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3 and 6 to 9, characterized in that the connecting lines are formed by articulated arms.

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