EP1983193A2 - Apparatus for transporting fluid - Google Patents

Abstract

The device has a chamber (32) limited by a circular housing part (8) in a peripheral direction, where a shaft (14) and an unbalanced mass (30) are rotatable in the chamber and designed for receiving the fluid i.e. lubricant. The unbalanced mass is formed to produce the radial and/or tangential acting force during the rotation of the fluid present in the chamber, with respect to a rotational axis (16). The chamber exhibits an outlet (42) with an outlet channel (44) that extends from the housing part outwardly.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates generally to the field of fluid displacement, and more particularly to applications in which fluids are used for lubrication and / or cooling.

Background of the invention

For lubrication of movable or movable components, it is u.a. known, for example, in contrast to lifetime lubrication and consumption lubrication during operation supply substantially continuously lubricant. In this case, lubricant is fed to a region to be lubricated more or less continuously and optionally recycled from there to be used again to lubricate can. An example of lubrication with lubricant recirculation, in which a closed lubricant circuit can be used, is the so-called circulation lubrication.

Such a substantially continuous lubricant supply is preferably used where components move at high speed relative to each other and / or high forces and / or moments occur between themselves relative to each other moving components. examples for this are vibration-generating and vibration-inducing devices, for example in the form of so-called vibration exciters, vibrators or vibrating devices in which waves and / or vibrations are generated by waves arranged unbalanced masses, for example, on pile material (eg sheet piles, beams, etc.) are transmitted, which are introduced into soil should.

This requires means to supply lubricant to lubricating areas (e.g., to promote lubrication in the lubricating circuit when circulating), e.g. Pump. Such means are usually carried out as separate components, which increases the overall space required. Further, such means for powering are to be powered and / or driven and controlled to provide a desired, required lubricant delivery.

For example, in the above examples of vibrators and vibrators, pumps (e.g., gear pumps) may be used to deliver lubricant in the lubricant circuit. In this case, the pump can be assigned its own power supply or drive and its own controller. It is also possible to couple the pump to one or more movable components by means of a coupling (e.g., mechanical, hydraulic, pneumatic) to at least partially transmit their movements (e.g., rotation) and thereby drive the pump.

To illustrate problems that generally occur in such lubrication methods, reference will continue to be made below to pumping arrangements used in vibration generators and vibrators.

In vibration exciters and vibrators often occur high centrifugal forces, which act on rotating components and in particular bearings. Also often occur high speeds and / or rotational accelerations, the load moving components and in particular bearings. Furthermore, high circumferential speeds and / or circumferential accelerations may occur on rotating components. All this usually requires a substantially continuous supply of lubricant (eg in the form of circulation lubrication).

For vibrators and vibrators u.a. Gear pumps used, which already require space. The need for space depends u.a. from the desired (maximum) pump power. Although small pumps save installation space, they often can not provide the volume flow of lubricant required for (optimal) lubrication. This can be avoided by larger pumps, but require more space and are usually more expensive.

In the case of vibration exciters, and in particular of vibrators, the entire arrangement and thus also the pumps for lubricant delivery are often exposed to high forces (for example accelerations, moments, pulses, etc.). In order to avoid possible damage or at least to keep it low, the pumps are to be executed and / or stored accordingly. In addition to the increased design effort, costs, etc. additional space is needed. Also, regular checks and / or maintenance of the pumps are required to ensure proper operation.

The German patent application 1 922 878 discloses an arrangement having the features of the preamble of claim 1.

Object of the invention

The object of the present invention is to reduce the space required for lubrication with essentially continuous delivery of lubricant by means of a rotating balancing mass (in particular in the case of circulation lubrication) and to optimize the lubricant delivery.

Brief description of the invention

To achieve the above object, the present invention provides an apparatus and a vibration generator according to the independent claims.

The device according to claim 1 is provided for fluid conveying, for example, in a fluid circuit and comprises a rotatable shaft defining a rotation axis, an unbalanced mass rotatable with the shaft, and a circumferentially bounded by an annular housing part chamber in which the shaft and the imbalance mass are rotatable and which is designed to receive a fluid. In this case, the imbalance mass is formed so that it is capable of generating radially and / or tangentially acting forces with respect to the axis of rotation when rotating on fluid present in the chamber. Furthermore, the chamber has at least one outlet, via which fluid can be displaced from the chamber during rotation of the imbalance mass.

According to the invention, the at least one outlet in each case comprises an outlet channel which extends outward from the annular housing part.

Preferably, the at least one outlet channel is in each case connected to a line which extends outside the annular housing part and is provided to discharge fluid.

Preferably, the at least one conduit forms part of a fluid guide arranged outside a housing comprising the chamber.

Further, it is possible that the above fluid guide serves to supply fluid to bearings or bearings for the ends of the shaft and / or a bearing for a region of the shaft extending between the shaft ends.

Preferably, fluid return is provided to return fluid to the chamber. It is provided to arrange a cleaning device in the fluid return, can be cleaned with the recirculating fluid.

The imbalance mass may e.g. arranged as a separate component on the shaft and / or integrated at least partially structurally with the shaft or be designed in one piece with this.

Preferably, the imbalance mass is an imbalance mass of a vibration-inducing device, a vibration exciter or a vibrator.

The imbalance mass preferably extends at least partially away from the shaft and has an end face leading on rotation. Furthermore, the imbalance mass may have a trailing edge during rotation end face.

The faces may both be planar, both curved, or of different shape (e.g., curved and planar).

The unbalanced mass preferably has a radially outer outer surface which is curved with respect to the axis of rotation and which may curved and preferably define a circular segment with respect to the axis of rotation.

Preferably, at least in the region of the imbalance mass, the chamber has a cross-section that is substantially circular with respect to the axis of rotation. The chamber may be designed tubular in particular in the region of the imbalance mass. The circular cross-section may define a radius slightly greater than the radius of a circle concentric with the axis of rotation passing through the circle radially outermost region (eg, the radial outer outer surface) of the unbalanced mass is passed through during rotation. In particular, it is preferred that there is only a small distance between the inside of the chamber and the radially outermost region of the imbalance mass; the small distance prevents or reduces at least an amount of fluid between the chamber inside and imbalance mass, which is not subjected to or in comparison to radially further inside existing fluid to a lesser extent forces resulting from rotation of the imbalance mass.

It is further provided that the chamber has a rotationally symmetrical inner surface with respect to the axis of rotation.

The at least one outlet may be formed in a wall defining the chamber in a radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation. For example, in preferred embodiments, the at least one outlet may be disposed in or on an annular member surrounding the region concentric with the axis of rotation in which the imbalance mass may rotate.

Furthermore, the chamber may have at least one inlet through which fluid can be supplied to the chamber.

The at least one inlet may be formed in a delimiting wall which limits the chamber outside the range in which the imbalance mass is able to rotate. For example, in preferred embodiments, the at least one inlet may be disposed in or on a component that laterally defines the region in which the imbalance mass may rotate. Further, the at least one inlet may not extend perpendicularly (eg, parallel) to the axis of rotation in one direction.

The at least one inlet may also have a connection for connection to a fluid-supplying channel.

In a further embodiment, at least one further unbalanced mass rotatable with the shaft is provided.

The at least one further imbalance mass can be designed to be comparable to the above imbalance mass and in particular to have one or more of its features.

When using two or more imbalance masses they can be arranged in the same chamber. Alternatively, it is provided for the imbalance masses each to use a separate chamber, which may be designed to be comparable with the above-mentioned chamber and in particular may have one or more of its features. With more than two imbalance masses, embodiments are also possible in which one or more chambers are provided in each case for an imbalance mass and one or more chambers are each provided for more than one imbalance mass.

The device according to the invention can have a drive coupled to the shaft, for example an electric motor, a transmission, etc.

Preferably, a housing is present, which comprises the at least one chamber.

The at least one chamber may be designed to receive a fluid comprising lubricant.

Furthermore, a fluid circuit may be present, which is supplied with rotation of the at least one imbalance mass with fluid from the at least one chamber and fluid returns to the at least one chamber.

The fluid circuit may include a cleaning device for cleaning fluid conveyed in the fluid circuit and / or a device for cooling and / or heating conveyed in the fluid circuit fluid include.

Preferably, the fluid circuit comprises at least one region which is provided for the arrangement of at least one bearing to be supplied with fluid of the at least one chamber for the shaft.

The fluid circuit may additionally or alternatively comprise at least one region whose temperature can be influenced by means of fluid of the at least one chamber.

In particular, it is preferred that the at least one imbalance mass in the respective one of the at least one chamber is capable of acting as a centrifugal pump impeller during rotation.

Furthermore, the present invention provides a vibration exciter or vibrator comprising the device of the invention in one of the above embodiments.

Brief description of the drawings

Fig. 1

eine bezüglich der Rotationsachse senkrechte schematische Schnittsansicht einer Ausführungsform der vorliegenden Erfindung, und

Fig. 2

eine schematische Schnittansicht längs der Rotationsachse der Ausführungsform von Fig. 1.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1

a vertical cross-section with respect to the axis of rotation of an embodiment of the present invention, and

Fig. 2

a schematic sectional view along the axis of rotation of the embodiment of Fig. 1 ,

Description of preferred embodiments

Fig. 1 and 2 show a preferred embodiment of the present invention, which may be used, for example, or may be part of a vibration exciter or vibrator. An example of a vibration exciter or vibrator is eg in WO 2005/075749 A1 . GB 1 435 499 and GB 685 459 described.

The device comprises a housing generally designated 2, which - as shown - can be made of several parts. Two housing parts 4 and 6 designated as lateral are respectively secured to an annular housing part 8 arranged therebetween, for example by means of screw connections 10. Sealing elements 12 ensure a fluid-tight operative connection between the housing parts 4, 6 and 8.

Through the housing 2, a shaft 14 which defines a rotation axis 16 extends. The shaft 14 has an end portion 18 and an end portion 20, between which a portion 22 extends with respect to the wavelength direction (not designated) substantially constant diameter.

The shaft end portion 18 is rotatably supported using one or more bearings, not shown (e.g., roller, roller and / or sliding bearings, etc.). The region in which the shaft end region 18 is mounted is provided in a space bounded by a cover 24 attached to the housing 2.

The shaft end 20 is connected to a drive, not shown, with which the shaft 14 can be controllably rotated. The drive is housed in a space bounded by a cover 26 which may (also) serve to secure the drive and other components (eg, control and / or monitoring devices).

The cover 24 and the cover 26 are fluid-tightly connected to the housing parts 4 and 6 respectively.

The waveband 22 can, as in Fig. 2 shown using a bearing 28 rotatably mounted in the housing 2. Alternatively, the shaft portion 22 may be rotatable without contact with the housing 2.

On the shaft 14 an imbalance mass 30 is arranged secured against rotation. Upon rotation of the shaft 14, the unbalanced mass 30 is accordingly rotated accordingly. The imbalance mass 30 can, as illustrated in the figures, as a separate component on the shaft 14 - preferably exchangeable - be attached. Alternatively, shaft 14 and imbalance mass 30 (or at least portions thereof) may be integrally formed.

A circumferentially extending around the shaft 14 chamber 32 is bounded by the housing parts 4, 6 and 8 (more precisely, their inner sides). The annular housing part 8 defines a substantially tubular area at least in the area where the imbalance mass 30 can rotate.

It is envisaged that there will be fluid in the chamber 32, particularly in the form of a lubricant (e.g., lubricating oil), which may be carried out of the chamber 32 upon rotation of the shaft 14 or imbalance mass 30, respectively. The imbalance mass 30 extends at least partially away from the shaft 14. As a result, there are regions of the imbalance mass 30, which can interact with fluid in the chamber 32 during rotation.

As shown, the imbalance mass 30 with respect to in Fig. 1 shown direction of rotation a leading end face 34 and a trailing end face 36. The end faces 34 and 36 are shown as planar, but may have different shapes and, for example, be curved. Furthermore, the imbalance mass 30 has a radially outer outer surface 38 whose radius of curvature is slightly smaller than the radius of the annular housing part 8. The resulting small distance 40 between imbalance mass and housing part 8 reduces the proportion of fluid that is not detected by the leading end face 34 upon rotation of the imbalance mass 30.

To remove fluid from the chamber 32, outlets 42 are present. The outlets 42 may be formed as simple outlet openings in the housing part 8. As shown, the outlets 42 each comprise an outlet channel 44. The outlet channels 44 preferably extend in a direction which substantially corresponds to the direction in which fluid upon rotation of the shaft 14 and the imbalance mass 30 in the chamber 32, in particular in the housing part 8 adjacent chamber areas, moves. In Fig. 1 Such directions of movement of fluid in the chamber 32 are indicated by the arrows 46, 48 and 50. Depending on the embodiment, the outlet channels 44 may extend tangentially with respect to the curvature of the housing part 8, for example.

At their outer ends, the outlet channels 44 are designed for connection to fluid-removing lines 52. For this purpose, the outlet channels 44 may be e.g. Internal or external thread, which are connectable to corresponding threaded connections of the lines 52. As shown, the outlet channels 44 have screw or socket connections at their outer ends to secure the ends of the conduits 52 to the outlets.

The lines 52 form part of a fluid guide (not shown), which can serve as a lubricant guide a circulation lubrication, for example.

In the case of the vibrator or vibrator assumed here, the lines 52 lead to areas to be supplied with lubricant, in particular bearings of the shaft ends 18 and 20 and / or the bearing 28.

Alternatively, the conduits 52 may lead to areas whose temperature is to be reduced, maintained the same and / or increased using fluid from the chamber 32. Since such areas (without fluid supply) may have different temperatures, it is possible to substantially cool and / or heat fluid at a temperature substantially simultaneously and / or maintain the temperature.

Furthermore, lines not shown here are provided to return fluid back into the chamber 32. Such a return, with which a circulation lubrication can be realized, makes it possible to use fluid multiple times. It may be advantageous to cool or heat and / or purify (e.g., filter) the recirculating fluid before it is reintroduced into the chamber 32. Fluid loss or shrinkage which may occur during operation may be compensated for by fluid from a fluid reservoir (not shown).

Using one or more fluid recirculating conduits results in a fluid circuit comprising the chamber 32, the outlets 42, the conduits 52, fluid to be supplied from the chamber 32, and the recirculations - optionally with temperature control and / or purifying means for fluid includes.

Without recirculation of fluid, the chamber 32 may be supplied with fluid from a fluid reservoir (not shown). Fluid supplied to an area to be supplied with fluid from the chamber 32 may be discharged into a collecting tank or the like after use there, for example.

This can be done, for example, if fluid after use has a property (eg deteriorated lubricating property, too high / low temperature) which does not allow reuse, possibly even after tempering and / or cleaning, or only at great expense.

Oscillators and vibrators often use more than one imbalance mass on a common shaft. For such and all other cases with more than one imbalance mass on a common shaft, a housing may be used which has a chamber comparable to the above chamber 32 except that it is dimensioned to receive the two or more imbalance masses. Another difference to a chamber for a single imbalance mass may be that outlets for each chamber area in which an imbalance mass can rotate, and / or outlets for intervening chamber areas and / or outlets are provided, which is of more than one imbalance mass in Movement can remove offset fluid from the chamber.

Instead of providing all imbalance masses in a common chamber, it is possible to provide a separate chamber for each imbalance mass. For this purpose, e.g. the housing illustrated in the figures can be used as a basis, for example, to arrange a plurality of housings with a common shaft extending through all housings, on which the imbalance masses are present, one behind the other.

The operation and mode of operation for the embodiment illustrated in the figures is explained below. The operation and operation is basically comparable in all embodiments of the present invention, which is why an explanation of further embodiments, in particular those with multiple imbalance masses is dispensed with.

In operation, the chamber 32 is filled with fluid. As a fluid, for example, a single fluid, fluid mixtures and in particular a lubricant can be used. It may be advantageous, apart from a fluid intended for use, to avoid other, other fluids in the chamber 32. For example, it may be desirable to avoid air and / or gas inclusions in the chamber 32.

Starting from the vibration generator or vibrator assumed here, the shaft 14 and thus the imbalance mass 30 are rotated during operation in order to generate vibrations or vibrations. In this case, the imbalance mass 30 rotates in the chamber 32 and thereby generates forces on fluid in the chamber 32. These forces depend, in addition to the rotational speed of the imbalance mass 30, u.a. from the shape of the regions of imbalance mass 30 which interact with the fluid. This applies in particular to the end face 34. However, the shape of the end face 36 also influences forces acting on the fluid.

The end face 34 causes upon rotation of the imbalance mass 30 with respect to the rotation axis 16 defined by the shaft 14 radially and / or tangentially to fluid forces acting on the fluid (at least in accordance with Fig. 1 radially outer regions of the chamber 32) first bring to a circular path and cause a rotating fluid ring (eg, lubricant or oil ring). In particular, the rotation of the imbalance mass 30 causes a pressure gradient between Fig. 1 radially inner and outer regions of the chamber 32, which acts radially and / or tangentially on the fluid and conveyed through the outlets 42 from the chamber 32.

The fluid discharged through the outlets 42 is conveyed under pressure through lines 52 to areas where e.g. to be used for lubrication. For example, in the case of a lubricating fluid, it is intended to convey this bearing area, bearings, etc. assigned to the shaft 14.

From there, the fluid is optionally supplied again after cooling and / or cleaning the chamber 32 in order to be pumped from there again in the fluid circuit can.

Purely by way of illustration, the operation of the device according to the invention can be compared with a centrifugal pump, as the effects occurring upon rotation of the imbalance mass 30, the fluid displace from the chamber 32, which are approximately comparable in a centrifugal pump. For example, the imbalance mass 30 can be considered a "centrifugal pump impeller". However, there is a significant difference, inter alia, that the imbalance mass 30 actually serves to generate vibration and / or vibration.

During operation, fluid in the chamber 32 may be expected to heat due to forces acting in the chamber 32, friction in the outlets 42, lines 52, in the areas to be supplied with fluid, and the return lines. Excessive heating can be avoided by a cooling device in the fluid return.

Due to the mode of operation of the device according to the invention ("centrifugal pump characteristic"), the volume flow of fluid displaced out of the chamber 32 depends, inter alia. from its viscosity, which in turn u.a. depends on the fluid temperature. Thus, the fluid may have a low (cold) viscosity when cold or in a cooler state compared to operation. This leads to a comparatively reduced volume flow. At higher fluid temperature and thus higher viscosity results in a comparatively increased volume flow. This constitutes an inherent regulation of the fluid delivery, the volume flow of which "adjusts itself" automatically as a function of the fluid temperature or the viscosity of the fluid.

Another advantage is that separate means (eg, pump) to convey fluid and in particular lubricant to and / or into desired areas are avoided. Furthermore, the components which are used for fluid delivery, namely in particular the shaft 14, the unbalanced mass 30 and the housing 2, anyway designed so that they are able to withstand forces arising during operation, in particular in the case of a vibrator or vibrator. Special measures that are required when using separate facilities for fluid delivery to vibration generated by the operation and / or vibration avoidable damage, omitted here also.

Claims (14)

Device for fluid delivery with - A rotation axis (16) defining a rotatable shaft (14); - One with the shaft (14) rotatable unbalanced mass (30) (30); and - A circumferentially bounded by an annular housing part (8) chamber (32) in which the shaft (14) and the imbalance mass (30) are rotatable and which is adapted to receive a fluid; in which - The unbalanced mass (30) is designed so that it is capable of generating radial and / or tangential forces upon rotation in the chamber (32) existing fluid with respect to the axis of rotation (16); and - The chamber (32) has at least one outlet (42); characterized in that - The at least one outlet (42) each comprise an outlet channel (44) extending away from the annular housing part (8) to the outside. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the at least one outlet channel (44) is connected to a conduit (52) at least partially external to the annular housing part (8). Apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the at least one conduit (52) forms part of a fluid guide located outside a housing (2) comprising the chamber (32). Apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the fluid guide for supplying fluid to bearings for the ends (18, 20) of the shaft (14) and / or a bearing (28) for a between the shaft ends (18, 20) extending region ( 22) of the shaft (14) is designed. Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, including fluid recirculation to return fluid to the chamber (32) and purifying means provided in the fluid return for purifying fluid to be returned. Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one outlet (42) is formed in a wall bounding the chamber (32) in the radial direction with respect to the axis of rotation (16). Apparatus according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the chamber (32) has at least one inlet. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the at least one inlet is formed in a confining wall defining the chamber (32) outside of the range in which the imbalance mass (30) is capable of rotating. The apparatus of claim 18 or 19, wherein the at least one inlet has a port for connection to a fluid feeding channel. Device according to one of the preceding claims, with a drive coupled to the shaft (14). Device according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one chamber (32) is designed to receive a fluid comprising lubricant. Device according to one of the preceding claims, comprising a fluid circuit which is supplied with fluid from the at least one chamber (32) upon rotation of the at least one imbalance mass (30), wherein preferably the fluid circuit comprises means for cooling and / or heating fluid circulating in the fluid circuit Fluid comprises, and / or comprises at least one region which is arranged for the arrangement of at least one with fluid at least one chamber (32) to be supplied bearing for the shaft (14) is provided, and / or at least includes an area whose temperature can be influenced by means of fluid of the at least one chamber (32). Device according to one of the preceding claims, in which the at least one imbalance mass (30) in the respective one of the at least one chamber (32) is capable of acting as a centrifugal pump impeller during rotation. Vibration generator with - At least one device according to one of claims 1 to 13.

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