EP2351697A1 - Transport container for gas bottles - Google Patents

Abstract

The unit has a container (10) with a frame formed with longitudinal and transverse carriers (12, 13) on a stable section of a side wall. The container has roof and base areas (18, 19). Upward exposed valves of gas bottles are arranged on the base area, where the bottles are arranged in the container in rows. The rows extend adjacent to each other in longitudinal direction of the container. The bottles are grouped by tensioning devices against the section. The bottles contact with a part of a circumference of a bulge, and are fixed against slipping in the direction.

Description

The invention relates to a transport unit for gas cylinders consisting of a container-mounted on truck semi-trailer.

The transport of gas bottles on roads, with a geometric volume of more than 30001, usually takes place in that gas cylinders are either placed upright on an open platform of a truck and held accordingly, or that gas cylinders in to receive a predetermined number Adjusted by gas bottles frame racks set and the containers thus formed are set accordingly on the bed of the truck. It is known to combine the gas cylinders in groups via their valves interconnecting piping to a respective filling or removal unit.

With such road transport, the disadvantage is initially connected that in the case of an accident of the corresponding truck, especially in a lateral tilting or rollover, the gas cylinders are relatively unprotected especially at their valves and possibly connecting these pipes and in corresponding accidents also from their Anchors or containers can solve. Another Disadvantage is that a tightness test of standing on the truck gas cylinders is difficult or feasible only under difficult conditions, because the gas cylinders are at a high altitude on the bed and are difficult to access. Such leakage tests are required depending on the danger level of the transported gases on site, for example, by spraying the valves and pipes with a suitable foam or otherm material before a gas cylinder transporting truck may enter into foreign factory premises of customers to be supplied.

The invention is therefore based on the object to provide a correspondingly large transport unit for transporting gas cylinders over the road available, in which improves the safety and a leak test is easier to perform.

The solution results, including advantageous embodiments and developments of the invention from the content of the claims, which are adjusted to this description.

The invention provides for this purpose on a trailer-mounted semi-trailer container having a built up of sustainable profiles with longitudinal and transverse beams frame, profiled side walls attached thereto and each formed as a grid floor and roof areas, wherein the standing on the floor area with after arranged above exposed valves in the container gas cylinders in a plurality of side by side in the longitudinal direction of the container extending rows and groups are clamped by means of clamping devices against the profile of the side walls and wherein the gas cylinders of the outermost, against the side walls adjacent rows of gas cylinders with a part of its circumference in engage the bulges formed by the profile of the side walls and are thereby fixed against slipping in the longitudinal direction.

The invention initially has the advantage that the containers receiving the gas cylinders provide stable protection on all sides for the gas cylinders set therein, which is safe even in the case of accidents of all kinds. Thus, the container on a stable constructed from longitudinal and transverse beams scaffold, which protects even in lateral position or rollover in particular the valves of the gas cylinders and associated piping from damage. As far as the side walls of the container in a conventional manner from a succession of bulges and indentations existing profile, the gas cylinders are arranged inside the container so that the gas cylinders of the outermost, against the side walls adjacent row with a part of its circumference in the Bulges of the sidewall profile engage and are thereby fixed against slipping in the longitudinal direction. Thus, the subsequent to the respective side wall of the container first outer row of gas cylinders forms a corresponding stop also for the determination of further rows of gas cylinders to be oriented thereto. These further rows of gas cylinders are clamped in groups against the side walls or against corresponding side members of the container and thus secured.

Another advantage arises from the fact that the gas cylinder container thus formed forms a self-contained unit that can be placed and transported on a variety of safety semi-trailers on a basic safety and traffic, without each complete special vehicles held or technically must be removed , In particular, this also facilitates border traffic with countries where other rules for the registration of trucks may apply, as well as a transition to other means of transport such as rail or ship.

The gas cylinders can be placed inside the container so that their accessibility for appropriate operating personnel given and thus the performance of leak tests is possible. For this purpose, according to an embodiment of the invention, it is provided that at least one walkway aisle is arranged in the container and a plurality of rows of gas cylinders is arranged on both sides of the center aisle, wherein preferably the aisle can be arranged elevated relative to the bottom portion of the container so that the valves and piping in the area of the necks of the gas cylinders are accessible at a comfortable working height for operators standing on the aisle. Thus, a leak test is easy to perform, as well as minor on-site repairs. It is understood that the aisle consists of gratings.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, it is provided that the profile of the sidewalls formed from a succession of protrusions and indentations is dimensioned in terms of width and depth of the cavities receiving the gas bottles such that the wall portions forming on a partial circumference of the protrusions the profiled side wall enclosed gas bottles on their outer circumference outside of the profile of the side wall touch each other. By adapting the profile of the side walls of the standardized dimensions of the gas cylinders, a particularly good fixation of the outermost rows of gas cylinders is given. Since the gas cylinders additionally touch each other outside the profile of the side walls supporting them on a partial circumference, tilting of the gas cylinders in the longitudinal direction of the container due to corresponding accelerations and / or delays in the driving operation of the truck is also ruled out.

It can be provided according to an embodiment of the invention that the further rows of gas bottles set in the container with respect to the voltage applied to the side walls of the container gas cylinders are aligned such that the gas cylinders each other with touching in a plane perpendicular to the side wall extending peripheral regions, so that results in relation to the longitudinal direction of the container, a symmetrical rectangular arrangement of the gas cylinder.

In such a rectangular arrangement is provided with respect to the formation of the necessary clamping device according to an embodiment of the invention that the clamping device for a group of gas cylinders each comprises a plurality of longitudinally of the container adjacent gas cylinders from the adjacent to the walkway aisle series of gas cylinders cross-angle profile strip at the at intervals extending diagonally to in the region of the side walls in the longitudinal direction of the container extending load-bearing floor profiles and are connected to these associated tension cables.

It can be provided that the rectangular-shaped angle profile strip rests on the provided with a rounding necks of the gas cylinders and is supported thereon, which can be provided according to an embodiment of the invention for attaching the ends of the tension cables to the angle profile strips whose corner areas cross-holding pieces, the one Have in the diagonal direction of the tension cables extending channel for receiving the tension cables thereby guided, wherein the outwardly beyond the holding pieces projecting cable ends are held in Spannschraubverbindungen.

To secure the gas cylinders in the vertical direction of the container and thus to set the gas cylinders, in particular in a rollover is provided according to an embodiment of the invention that in the existing between the gas cylinders of two adjacent rows of gas cylinders in the region of the bottle necks gusset in the longitudinal direction the shape of the container-fitting V-shaped retaining strips are used, which by means of spaced apart vertically and parallel to the gas cylinders extending tension cables in the bottom region of the Containers arranged side rails are connected. Due to the extent positively fixed against the bottom portion of the container gas cylinders secure holding the gas cylinder is guaranteed in all positions of the container.

According to an alternative embodiment of the invention, the use of a container is proposed with a conventional profile of the side walls, which consists of each uniformly and symmetrically formed bulges and indentations. As far as no coordination between the dimensions of the gas cylinders and the dimensions of the gas cylinder receiving bulges of the side wall profile is provided in particular, it comes to the fact that set in the bulges of the side wall profile gas cylinders have a gap to each other; for mutual support of the again arranged in several rows gas cylinders against each other is provided that the gas cylinders of the adjacent rows of gas cylinders each protrude into the between two gas cylinders of the outer row gap and abut the circumference of both the space delimiting gas cylinders.

Since due to the aligned diagonally to the longitudinal axis of the container stringing together gas cylinders a bracing means between an attached in the upper region of the gas bottle angle bar and a mounted in the bottom portion of the container longitudinal beams tensioning cables is not possible, is provided in such an arrangement of gas cylinders that the tensioning device for a group of gas cylinders, a respective plurality in the longitudinal direction of the container juxtaposed gas cylinders of the walkable central aisle adjacent row of gas cylinders cross angle profile strip comprises at the intervals between the bottle necks horizontally outwardly to the side walls extending and attached thereto tensioning cables are posted.

In order to protect the cylinders against each other, it is provided according to one embodiment that the gas cylinders are provided in at least one area with a protective bandage encompassing their circumference.

In known manner, it can be provided that the gas bottles set in the container are sectionally summarized via their valves interconnecting piping to a respective filling and removal unit and each section is connected by means of associated piping to a valve cabinet arranged in the container.

Fig. 1

einen mit Gasflaschen beladenen Container in einer Draufsicht,

Fig. 2

den Container gemäß Figur 1 in einer geschnittenen Seitenansicht,

Fig. 3

den Container gemäß Figur 2 in einem Querschnitt gemäß Linie III - III in Figur 2,

Fig. 4

eine ausschnittsweise Darstellung eines Seitenwandprofils mit darin eingestellten Gasflaschen,

Fig. 5

die Anordnung einer Winkelprofilleiste als Teil einer Spannvorrichtung für die Gasflaschen in einer Einzeldarstellung,

Fig. 6

die Anordnung einer Halteleiste zur vertikalen Abspannung der Gasflaschen in einer Einzeldarstellung,

Fig. 7

eine ausschnittsweise Darstellung eines gegenüber Figur 4 abgeänderten Seitenwandprofils mit einer angepassten Anordnung der Gasflaschen.

In the drawings, embodiments of the invention are shown, which are described below. Show it:

Fig. 1

a container loaded with gas cylinders in a plan view,

Fig. 2

according to the container FIG. 1 in a sectional side view,

Fig. 3

according to the container FIG. 2 in a cross section according to line III - III in FIG. 2 .

Fig. 4

a partial representation of a side wall profile with gas cylinders set therein,

Fig. 5

the arrangement of an angle profile strip as part of a clamping device for the gas cylinders in a single representation,

Fig. 6

the arrangement of a retaining strip for the vertical bracing of the gas cylinders in a single representation,

Fig. 7

a fragmentary representation of one opposite FIG. 4 modified sidewall profile with an adapted arrangement of the gas cylinders.

The first of a synopsis of Figures 1 and 2 apparent container 10 consists of longitudinal members 12 and cross members 13, a bottom portion 19, a roof portion 18 and profiled side walls 30th

In order to ensure a good ventilation of the container in the event of leaks, floor area 19 and roof area 18 are formed as open grids in the form of gratings 14 in the floor area 19 and rolling grilles in the roof area 18. At the rear end of the container 10 is a dashboard 17 with arranged therein control and monitoring fittings. Also in the rear area, an entry 16 is provided laterally, which can be closed by a door, so that access to the interior of the container 10 is made possible via the inlet 16. In the middle of the container, a central aisle 15 is arranged, which, as is apparent from FIG. 3 results, compared to the footprint of the gas cylinders 11 is arranged increased such that a standing on the aisle person has easy access to the heads of the gas cylinder 11. The bottom of the central aisle 15 is also formed as an open grid. On both sides of the central aisle 15, a plurality of rows of side by side gas bottles 11 are arranged in the space between the raised central aisle 15 and the side walls 30, extending in the longitudinal direction of the container 10.

As it turned out Figures 1 and 2 Furthermore, the total set in the container 10 gas cylinders 11 are divided into five sections 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, wherein the gas bottles associated with each section 40 - 44 11 by means of their valves connecting piping 46 to each one Fill and withdrawal unit are connected. The respective piping, of which only the piping 46 is indicated in section 40, are connected via vertical connection pipes 48 in the bottom area 19 the container 10 in its longitudinal direction laid pipes 47 connected, which in turn are guided to the dashboard 17 and connected here, so that from the dashboard 17 from the filling and emptying as well as pressure and / or temperature control of the individual sections 40 to 44 can be made.

As it turned out FIGS. 1 and 3 results in three rows of gas cylinders 11 are arranged on both sides of the central aisle 15, wherein in the rear region of the container 10 via a partial extension with simultaneous narrowing of the central aisle 15, a fourth row of gas cylinders 11 is arranged. The number of set in such a container rows of gas cylinders 11 but for the realization of the invention is not important, but the fact of a partial arrangement of an additional fourth row shows the flexibility in the assembly of the container 10 with gas cylinders 11. The next to the outermost, applied against the side wall row of gas cylinders to the central aisle 15 arranged gas bottles are aligned with respect to the voltage applied to the side walls 30 of the container 10 gas cylinders 11 such that the gas cylinders 11 each other in a direction perpendicular to the side wall 30 extending Touch level peripheral areas, so that there is a symmetrical-right angle to the center axis of the container grid of set gas cylinders.

As it turned out FIG. 3 results in a bracing of each arranged between a side wall 30 of the container 10 and the central aisle 15 rows of gas cylinders 11 takes place against the respective side wall 30 in that a rectangular formed angle bar 25 in each case in the longitudinal direction of the container adjacent gas cylinders 11 from the to the walkway aisle 15 adjacent row of gas cylinders 11 is placed on the provided with a round neck, wherein in accordance with specified intervals extending diagonally from the angle bar 25 in the region of the side walls 30 of the container 10 arranged longitudinal beams 12 and cross members 13 extending and attached to these tensioning cables 20 are arranged. With these tension cables, the upper regions of the gas cylinders 11 are clamped in the direction of the side wall 30. The diagonal arrangement of the arranged between the upper end of the gas bottles angle profile strips 25 and running in the bottom region of the container 10 longitudinal or transverse beams tensioning cables 20 is therefore possible because a rectangular grid of the gas cylinder assembly is given.

How to do it FIG. 5 shows, 25 holding pieces 26 are provided for fastening the tensioning cables 20 to the angle profile strips, which surround the corner regions of the angle profile strips 25 form-fitting and have a in the diagonal course direction of the tensioning cables 20 extending channel for receiving the tension cables guided thereby, wherein the outward over the holding pieces 26 projecting cable ends of the tension cables 20 are defined in corresponding Spannschraubverbindungen 28.

In order to mitigate the consequences of rubbing against the adjacent gas cylinders 11 during the travel movements of the container 10, the gas cylinders 11 are provided in a corresponding distribution with their circumference enclosing protective bandages 27 ( FIG. 2 ).

How to continue from a synopsis of FIGS. 3 and 6 results, are for securing the gas cylinders 11 in the vertical direction of the container 10 in the existing between the gas cylinders 11 of two adjacent rows of gas cylinders in the region of the bottle necks gussets extending in the longitudinal direction of the container 10 conforming V-shaped retaining strips 24 are used by means of spaced apart vertically and parallel to the gas cylinders 11 extending tension cables 23 with the arranged in the bottom region of the container cross members 13 and longitudinal members 12 are connected. This ensures that even with a rollover of the container 10, the gas cylinders 11 can not be detached from the bottom portion 19 of the container 10. As it turned out FIG. 4 results, the profile of the side walls 30 is adapted in a special way to the dimensions of the gas cylinder 11. As far as each side wall 30 in a conventional manner consists of a sequence of indentations 31 and bulges 32, these indentations or bulges are each formed as an open trapezium with four corners whose short sides 33, 34 closed and its longer sides are open. In the open sides of the bulges 32, the gas cylinders 11 are now set with a partial circumference such that the gas bottles 11 rest against the wall regions delimiting the bulges 32 and are thereby fixed. At the FIG. 4 apparent embodiment, the short sides 33 of the bulges 32 have a greater extent than the short sides 34 of the indentations 31, so that the bulges 32 form a correspondingly larger trapezoidal opening for receiving the gas cylinders 11. The dimensions of the trapezoidal sides are matched to the standardized bottle diameter such that the gas bottles 11 set in the bulges 32 touch each other on their outer circumference outside the profile of the respective side wall 30, so that in the direction of movement parallel to the side wall and thus in the longitudinal direction of the Containers also a mutual support of the gas cylinder is given.

In FIG. 7 another embodiment of a side wall profile is shown, which is formed in commercial containers and in which the bulges 32 and indentations 31 of the side wall profile are formed substantially uniformly and symmetrically. The deviations between the respective short sides 33 and 34 of the bulges 32 and indentations 31 are small and are not significant with regard to the arrangement of the gas cylinders. How out FIG. 7 can be seen, the set in the bulges 32 gas cylinders 11 a gap 35 to each other, so that in the longitudinal direction of the container 10 is no mutual support to that on the side wall 30th adjacent series of gas bottles belonging to gas cylinders 11 takes place. In this respect, it is proposed in such a design of the side wall profile of a container 10, the gas cylinders of each adjacent row each project into the space between two gas cylinders of the outer row gap 35, so that set in the space 35 gas cylinder each circumferentially on the two the Interspace 35 delimiting gas cylinders 11 is present. If the gas cylinder rows then also braced against the side wall 30, takes place a mutual support and fixing the gas cylinder 11 also in the longitudinal direction of the container 10 extending gas cylinder rows. As not further shown, it is provided in this case that for bracing the gas cylinder rows against the side wall 30 angle profile strips 25 are provided on which are provided at intervals between the bottle necks horizontally outward to the side walls 30 extending and attached thereto tensioning cables.

The features disclosed in the foregoing description, the claims, the abstract and the drawings of the subject matter of these documents may be essential individually as well as in any combination with each other for the realization of the invention in its various embodiments.

Claims (12)

Transport unit for gas cylinders (11) consisting of a truck-mounted semi-trailer (10), the one of sustainable profiles with longitudinal and transverse beams (12, 13) constructed frame attached thereto profiled side walls (30) and each formed as a grid floor - And roof areas (19, 18), wherein the standing on the bottom area (19) with upwardly exposed valves in the container (10) gas bottles (11) arranged in a plurality of side by side in the longitudinal direction of the container (10) extending rows and in groups by means of clamping devices (20, 25) against the profile of the side walls (30) are braced and wherein the gas cylinders (11) of the outermost, against the side walls (30) adjacent rows of gas cylinders (11) with a part of its circumference in the of Profile of the side walls (30) engage trained bulges and are thus fixed against slipping in the longitudinal direction. Transport unit according to Claim 1, in which at least one accessible center aisle (15) is arranged in the container (10) and a plurality of rows of gas cylinders (11) is arranged on each side of the central aisle (15). Transport unit according to Claim 1 or 2, in which the profile of the side walls (30) formed from a sequence of bulges (32) and indentations (21) is dimensioned in terms of width and depth of the recesses (32) receiving the gas cylinders (11) in that the gas cylinders (11), which are enclosed on a partial circumference of the wall regions of the profiled side wall (20) forming the bulges (32), mutually contact each other on their outer circumference outside the profile of the side wall (30). Transport unit according to Claim 3, in which the further rows of gas cylinders (11) set in the container (10) are aligned with respect to the gas cylinders (11) bearing against the side walls (30) of the container (10) in such a way that the gas cylinders (11) 11) in each case with each other in a plane perpendicular to the side wall (30) extending peripheral portions touch. Transport unit according to Claim 3 or 4, in which the clamping device for a group of gas cylinders (11) comprises a plurality of gas cylinders (11) arranged side by side in the longitudinal direction of the container (10) from the row of gas cylinders (11) adjoining the accessible central passage (15) ) encompassing angle profile strip (25), at the intervals at diagonally to in the region of the side walls (30) extending in the longitudinal direction of the container (10) extending load-bearing floor profiles and connected thereto tensioning cables (20) are struck. Transport unit according to claim 5, wherein the angle profile strip (25) rests on the rounded necks of the gas cylinders (11) and is supported thereon. Transport unit according to claim 5 or 6, wherein for securing the ends of the tensioning cables (20) to the angle profile strips (25) whose corner areas cross-holding pieces (26) are provided, which in the diagonal direction of the tension cables (20) extending channel for receiving the tensioning cables (20) guided thereby are held, wherein the outwardly beyond the holding pieces (26) projecting cable ends are held in Spannschraubverbindungen (28). Transport unit according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein in the between the gas cylinders (11) of two adjacent rows of gas cylinders in the region of the bottle necks gussets extending in the longitudinal direction of the container (10) extending fitted V-shaped retaining strips (24) used are, by means of spaced apart vertically and parallel to the gas cylinders (11) extending tension cables (23) in the bottom region (19) of the container (10) arranged carriers (12, 13) are connected. Transport unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the further rows of gas bottles (11) set in the container (10) with respect to the side walls having against the one known profile of each uniformly and symmetrically formed bulges (32) and indentations (31) (30) of the container (10) adjacent and thereby in each case a gap (35) to each other having gas bottles (11) are aligned such that the gas cylinders (11) of the adjacent row of gas cylinders (11) in each case between the two gas cylinders (11) protrude the outer row existing space (35) and the periphery of both the intermediate space (35) limiting gas cylinders (11) abut. Transport unit according to Claim 9, in which the clamping device for a group of gas cylinders (11) is one each more in the longitudinal direction the container (10) adjacent gas cylinders (11) of the walkable central aisle (15) adjacent row of gas cylinders cross angle profile strip (25), at the intervals between the bottle necks horizontally outwardly to the side walls (30) extending and thereto attached tension cables are posted. Transport unit according to one of claims 1 to 10, in which the gas cylinders (11) are provided in at least one area with a protective bandage (27) which surrounds their circumference. Transport unit according to one of Claims 1 to 11, in which the gas cylinders (11) set in the container (10) are combined in sections (40-44) via their valves to interconnect pipelines (46) to a respective filling and removal unit and each section (40-44) by means of associated pipes (47, 48) to a container (10) arranged in the dashboard (17) is connected.

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