EP3181490B1 - Outlet device and method for operating such outlet device - Google Patents

Description

State of the art

The invention relates to an outlet device, in particular for a device for processing bulk material, a device for processing bulk material with an outlet device and a method for producing an outlet device.

There are already outlet devices for means for processing bulk goods having a base body, which has a passage opening, with a closure element, which is intended to close the passage opening, and at least one sealing element, which is provided, a connection between the base body and the closure element seal, known, cf. FR 2 983 182 and FR 2 344 767 ,

The object of the invention is, in particular, to provide a simple and / or cost-effective outlet device. The object is achieved by the features of the independent claims, while advantageous embodiments and modifications of the invention can be taken from the dependent claims.

Advantages of the invention

The invention is based on an outlet device, in particular for a bulk material silo, having a base body which has a passage opening, with a closure element which is provided to close the passage opening, and at least one sealing element which is provided, a connection between the Seal body and the closure element.

It is proposed that the at least one sealing element has an adjustable sealing geometry. This allows the connection between the body and the closure element are sealed after the closure element has been moved to a closed position. On an actuator for actuating the closure element, which is intended to provide an actuating force for pressing the sealing element, can be dispensed with. The actuator can thereby be made smaller. Costs can be saved. In this context, an "outlet device" is to be understood as meaning, in particular, an apparatus for a device for processing bulk material, which is provided for a removal of bulk material from the device for processing bulk material. A "main body" is to be understood in particular a part of the outlet device, which is intended to be firmly connected to a container wall of the container device. In this context, a "closure element" is to be understood as meaning, in particular, an element which is intended to close the passage opening. By "seal" is to be understood in particular that the connection against a passage of bulk material, for the storage of which the bulk material silo is provided, is sealed. By "adjustable sealing geometry" is to be understood in particular that a shape of the sealing element, which influences a sealing effect, is variable. For example, the sealing element may consist of an active material, such as a polymer, whose sealing geometry is variable by applying a voltage. In principle, other embodiments are conceivable. For example, the sealing element can also be formed as a sealing gas seal whose sealing geometry is adjustable by changing a gas flow. By "provided" is intended to be understood in particular specially programmed, designed and / or equipped.

Preferably, the at least one sealing element has a variable volume. As a result, the variable sealing geometry can be provided in a particularly simple manner. A "variable volume" is to be understood in particular as meaning that a volume occupied and / or displaced by the sealing element can be changed.

In a particularly advantageous embodiment, it is proposed that the at least one sealing element is provided to be at least partially filled with a pressure medium. Thereby, the sealing element can be formed inexpensively and easily.

Particularly preferably, the sealing element is pneumatically adjustable. Thereby, a control for the sealing element can be easily formed. In particular, this makes it possible to form the outlet device low. A "pneumatically adjustable sealing element" should in particular be understood to mean a sealing element which has at least one cavity which is intended to be filled with a gaseous pressure medium in order to change the volume of the sealing element. Alternatively it can also be provided to fill the cavity with a liquid as a pressure medium and form the sealing element hydraulically adjustable.

It is further proposed that the outlet device has a control and regulation unit which is provided for opening and / or closing the at least one closure element to change the sealing geometry of the sealing element. If the control and / or regulating unit is provided to coordinate an adjustment of the sealing element and an actuation of the closure element, the actuators can be made particularly simple and yet a good sealing effect can be achieved. A "control and / or regulating unit" should in particular be understood to mean a unit having at least one control electronics. A "control electronics" is to be understood in particular as a unit having a processor unit and a memory unit having an operating program stored in the memory unit.

Preferably, the base body has a groove for receiving the at least one sealing element. As a result, the sealing element can be fixed particularly easily. The arrangement in the groove can be achieved that a contact between the bulk material and the sealing element is as low as possible, whereby the outlet device for sensitive applications, for example in the food industry, are provided. In particular, certification according to requirements from EHEDG is possible. In this context, a "groove" is to be understood as meaning, in particular, an elongated depression which is intended to fix the sealing element in a form-fitting manner in at least three spatial directions.

Preferably, the sealing element is arranged captive in the groove. This makes it possible to dispense with an additional fixation of the sealing element. By "captive" is to be understood in this context in particular, that the sealing element is positively fixed by the groove when the closure element is in the open position.

Preferably, the groove is intended to completely receive the sealing element in a ground state. As a result, the sealing element can be completely removed from an area below the passage opening. In addition, it can be achieved that the sealing element forms an edge on which bulk material can deposit. This allows the outlet device to be certified for use in the food industry.

In addition, it is proposed that the passage opening has an edge with a radius of curvature of at least 50 mm. As a result, a secure mounting of the seal in the groove can be achieved. Preferably, the radius of curvature is at least 70 mm. Particularly preferably, the radius of curvature is at least 95 mm. It is further proposed that the base body is formed as a casting. As a result, in particular, the groove can be formed inexpensively. By forming the base body as a casting, costs can be reduced. A "casting" is to be understood in this context in particular a component whose basic shape was produced by means of a casting mold in a casting process. The term "basic form" is to be understood in particular as meaning that at least one part, preferably at least 50%, particularly preferably 70%, of a volume of the main body in the casting process is given its shape. Shaping in a post-processing step, in particular by means of a machining process, can be omitted for at least part of the surface. A "omission of a shaping in a post-processing step" is to be understood in particular that in the post-processing step in the region of the surface at most 10 mm, preferably at most 5 mm, and more preferably at most 3 mm material must be removed.

The outlet device has at least one sensor unit, which is provided to sense an integrity of the sealing element. Preferably, the at least one sensor unit is provided to sense a pressure loss in the sealing element. As a result, in particular an advantageously high process reliability can be ensured. In particular, for example the food industry, this can ensure a tightness of the sealing element, or a leak can be detected. It can be advantageously a documentation of tightness allows. A "sensor unit" is to be understood in this context, in particular a unit comprising at least one sensor.

It is preferably proposed that the at least one sensor unit is connected to the control and regulation unit and the control and regulation unit is provided, at least during operation, to monitor the integrity of the sealing element. As a result, in particular an advantageously high process reliability can be ensured. In particular, a tightness of the sealing element can be monitored. In particular, for example, for the food industry, this can ensure a tightness of the sealing element, or a leak can be detected. In particular, a documentation of the integrity of the sealing element can be made possible.

The sensor unit comprises at least one flow sensor. Preferably, the flow sensor is provided to detect a flow of the pressure medium in the sealing element. Preferably, the flow sensor is arranged on a supply line for the pressure medium. In principle, however, another arrangement of the flow sensor which would appear meaningful to a person skilled in the art would also be conceivable. As a result, in particular an advantageously reliable and cost-effective sensor unit can be provided. By means of the flow sensor, in particular a reliable integrity of the sealing element can be detected. A "flow sensor" is to be understood in this context, in particular a sensor which is intended to measure a flow of a fluid, for example by a pipe and / or a pipe. Preferably, this is to be understood in particular as meaning a sensor which is provided to detect a flow rate, in particular a flow volume, of a fluid.

Furthermore, a device for processing bulk material, in particular a mixing device for bulk material, with a container device and an outlet device according to the invention is proposed.

In addition, a method for operating an outlet device according to the invention, proposed in which a sealing geometry of the sealing element is adjusted.

drawings

Further advantages emerge from the following description of the drawing. In the drawings, two embodiments of the invention are shown. The drawings, the description and the claims contain numerous features in combination. The person skilled in the art will expediently also consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

Fig. 1

eine Einrichtung zur Verarbeitung von Schüttgut mit einer Auslassvorrichtung,

Fig. 2

einen Grundkörper der Auslassvorrichtung in einer ersten Seitenansicht,

Fig. 3

den Grundkörper in einer zweiten Seitenansicht,

Fig. 4

einen Querschnitt durch den Grundkörper,

Fig. 5

eine Ansicht einer Unterseite des Grundkörpers,

Fig. 6

eine Oberseite des Grundkörpers in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,

Fig. 7

die Unterseite des Grundkörpers in einer perspektivischen Ansicht,

Fig. 8

ein Verschlusselement der Auslassvorrichtung sowie eine Steuer- und Regeleinheit und eine Aktuatorik,

Fig. 9

das Dichtelement in einem Querschnitt bei geschlossenem Verschlusselement,

Fig. 10

das Dichtelement bei geöffnetem Verschlusselement,

Fig. 11

einen Grundkörper einer alternativen Auslassvorrichtung in einer schematischen Unteransicht,

Fig. 12

den Grundkörper und ein Dichtelement der alternativen Auslassvorrichtung in einem Querschnitt bei geschlossenem Verschlusselement und

Fig. 13

ein zweites Ausführungsbeispiel einer Einrichtung zur Verarbeitung von Schüttgut mit einer Auslassvorrichtung.

Show it:

Fig. 1

a device for processing bulk material with an outlet device,

Fig. 2

a main body of the outlet device in a first side view,

Fig. 3

the main body in a second side view,

Fig. 4

a cross section through the body,

Fig. 5

a view of an underside of the body,

Fig. 6

an upper side of the main body in a perspective view,

Fig. 7

the bottom of the body in a perspective view,

Fig. 8

a closure element of the outlet device and a control and regulating unit and an actuator system,

Fig. 9

the sealing element in a cross section with closed closure element,

Fig. 10

the sealing element with the closure element open,

Fig. 11

a basic body of an alternative outlet device in a schematic bottom view,

Fig. 12

the main body and a sealing element of the alternative outlet device in a cross section with closed closure element and

Fig. 13

A second embodiment of a device for processing bulk material with an outlet device.

Description of the embodiments

The FIGS. 1 to 10 show a device for processing bulk material. The device is provided as a mixing device for mixing a bulk material with different components. The device for processing bulk material comprises a container device 10a with a container wall 11a. The container device 10a spans an inner space, which is provided for receiving the bulk material. The device further comprises a filling device 12a, via which the bulk material can be introduced into the device, and an outlet device 13a, via which the bulk material can be removed from the device. The device comprises a mixing device, not shown, which is intended to mix the introduced into the container device 10a bulk material. Alternatively and / or additionally, the device may have a conveying device which is provided to convey the bulk material introduced into the device in the direction of the outlet device 13a. In principle, the outlet device 13a can also be used on other devices for storing, processing and / or conveying bulk material, for example in a mixer or in a delivery line.

The filling device 12a and the outlet device 13a are arranged offset relative to one another on the container device 10a. The container device 10a comprises at least one filling recess provided for the filling device 12a and a discharging recess provided for the outlet device 13a. The Filler 12a may include a lid which is provided to close the Einfüllaussparung. The filling device 12a as well as the container device 10a may have different configurations, in particular deviating from the illustrated embodiment.

The container device 10a has an underside on which the outlet device 13a is arranged. The outlet device 13a is provided to close the outlet recess of the container device 10a when the bulk material is to be retained and to release the outlet recess when the bulk material or a part of the bulk material is to be conveyed.

The outlet device 13a comprises a base body 14a with a contact surface 15a for engagement with the container device 10a and a passage opening 16a, which in the mounted state is arranged in alignment with the outlet recess in the container device 10a (cf. FIGS. 2 to 7 ). Furthermore, the outlet device 13a comprises a closure element 17a, which is provided to close the passage opening 16a. The closure element 17a is pivotally mounted. It has an open position in which the closure element 17a releases the passage opening 16a, and a closed position in which the closure element 17a closes the passage opening 16a.

The passage opening 16a can basically have different shapes. Preferably, the passage opening 16a has a circular and / or rectangular configuration. In principle, the passage opening 16a may have an edge 21a, which is designed to be partially circular and partially rectangular, for example in the form of an oval with surfaces running parallel to one another in partial areas. The edge 21a preferably has a radius of curvature of at least 95 mm. Preferably, the passage opening 16a at least a circular configuration with a diameter of at least 190 mm. Starting from this, different configurations of the passage opening 16a are conceivable. The diameter can be, for example, 250 mm or 350 mm. In a partially circular and partially rectangular configuration, the passage opening 16a may have, for example, dimensions of 200 mm, 300 mm or 500 mm along one direction and 800 mm, 1200 mm or 2200 mm in a direction perpendicular thereto. For example, the passage opening 16a may have a size of 300 mm x 1200 mm, wherein the edge 21a has at least the radius of curvature of 95 mm. The outlet device 13a is intended to be certified for use in the food industry. In particular, it complies with EHEDG requirements. All edges of the outlet device 13a, which can come into contact with the bulk material, have a radius of curvature of at least 3 mm.

The outlet device 13a has an axial direction 18a, which is defined in particular by the passage opening 16a. The passage opening 16a delimited by the base body 14a has a cross-sectional area which is oriented perpendicular to the axial direction 18a. The axial direction 18a corresponds to a direction along which a height of the main body 14a is defined. The closure member 17a is rotatably supported about an axis which is oriented perpendicular to the axial direction 18a.

The main body 14a is formed as a casting. The entire base body 14a is integrally formed. The main body 14a is made of a metal. For a production of the main body 14a, a casting mold is used which has all the essential contours of the main body 14a. In particular, the passage opening 16a and a receptacle 26a for the closure element 17a are already at least preformed in the casting mold. In principle, it may be provided in the production to further rework the main body 14a, in particular by machining processes in order to bring dimensions of the main body 14a to specified dimensions. In processes which bring a high heat input into the main body 14a, such as welding process, is omitted in the production of the base body 14a. In addition, is essentially dispensed with machining processes, which are removed by more than 2 mm. The finished, brought to tolerance base body 14a has a Rohformmasse which is at least 75%, preferably at least 90% of the finished cast, otherwise unprocessed base body 14a. In post-processing, preferably at most 5% of the crude molding compound is still removed.

The main body 14a is intended to be connected by a welded connection to the container device 10a. The main body 14a has a welding edge 19a, which is provided for material connection with the container device 10a. The welding edge 19a limits the contact surface 15a. The Bearing surface 15a has an outer edge 20a, which is defined by a transition between the contact surface 15a and the welding edge 19a. The edge 21a of the passage opening 16a, which is defined by a transition between the abutment surface 15a and the passage opening 16a, forms an inner edge of the abutment surface 15a. The edges 20a, 21a are defined in particular by a transition between regions in which a surface of the main body 14a is at least substantially flat, and regions in which the surface is curved. In the areas in which the surface is at least substantially flat, the surface in particular only has radii of curvature greater than 50 mm. In the areas in which the surface is curved, the surface has, in particular, radii of curvature smaller than 10 mm. The contact surface 15a, for example, has a curvature, which is provided for surface contact with the container device 10a. However, since the curvature of the abutment surface 15a has a radius of curvature greater than 50 mm, the abutment surface 15a is substantially flat.

The closure element 17a has an upper side whose curvature corresponds to the contact surface 15a. The upper side has a radius of curvature which is slightly smaller than the radius of curvature of the contact surface 15a. The upper side has a projection with respect to the contact surface 15a, which corresponds to a wall thickness of the container wall 11a. The radius of curvature of the upper side of the closure element 17a is smaller by a value of the projection than the radius of curvature of the contact surface 15a. The radius of curvature of the upper side thus corresponds to a radius of curvature which has an inner side of the container wall 11a. If the closure element 17a is in the closed position, the inside of the container wall 11a and the top side of the closure element 17a, with respect to the mixing device, form a dead space-free surface.

The contact surface 15a goes directly into the welding edge 19a. The main body 14a has a welding portion 22a through which the welding edge 19a is formed. In the welding section 22a, the base body 14a has a material thickness 40a of at most 15 mm. The material thickness 40a of the base body 14a in the welding section 22a is determined in particular along a direction parallel to the surface normal of the contact surface 15a. The welded portion 22a is thus defined by a portion of the main body 14a extending from the Welding edge 19a extends in the direction of the passage opening 16a and in which the material thickness 40a is smaller than 15 mm. In the welding section 22a, the base body 14a has a lower side 23a, which lies opposite the contact surface 15a. At minimum spaced-apart points, the surface normal of the abutment surface 15a and the surface normal of the underside 23a include angles greater than 170 degrees. In particular, the surface normals of the abutment surface 15a and the underside 23a are oriented antiparallel to one another. The material thickness 40a is at least partially constant in the welding portion 22a.

The welding edge 19a has radii of curvature smaller than the material thickness 40a of the welding portion 22a. The welding edge 19a connects the contact surface 15a and the bottom 23a with each other. The welding edge 19a has a section 24a in which the surface normal of the welding edge 19a with the surface normal on the outer edge 20a of the contact surface 15a form an acute angle. In the subsection 24a, the surface of the welding edge 19a faces the container device 10a when the outlet device 13a is mounted on the container device 10a. The welded connection preferably has at least one weld seam which engages in the partial section 24a of the welding edge 19a. In particular, the weld fills a volume between the surface of the welding edge 19a of the main body 14a and the container wall 11a.

The abutment surface 15a for abutment with the container device 10a has a radial extent, which is defined by a distance between the outer edge 20a and the inner edge 21a. Only a part of the contact surface 15a is associated with the welding portion 22a. The radial extent of the contact surface 15a is at least twice as large as a radial extent of the welding portion 22a. The radial extent of the welding section 22a is at least 20 mm. Preferably, the radial extent of the welding section 22a is at least 30 mm to 40 mm, wherein a size of the welding section 22a in particular also depends on the size of the passage opening 16a and thus a size of the main body 14a as a whole.

Furthermore, the main body 14a has a support portion 25a, which in particular forms the receptacle 26a for mounting the closure element 17a. The main body 14a is in the welding portion 22a with the welding edge 19a and the support portion 25a divided. Viewed in the radial direction, the welding edge 19a defines a maximum extent of the main body 14a. The support portion 25a is located radially inside the welding portion 22a.

In the welding section 22a, the base body 14a has an annular disc-shaped basic shape. The base body 14a has a cylindrical basic shape in the support section 25a. The contact surface 15a, which is formed by the welding portion 22a and the support portion 25a, limits the main body 14a in the axial direction upward. In the support section 25a, the base body 14a forms a connecting flange 27a which delimits the base body 14a downwards. Along the axial direction 18a, the support portion 25a extends in particular between the contact surface 15a and the connecting flange 27a. The connecting flange 27a has a preferably round basic shape. By the connecting flange 27a a central axis is defined, which is oriented parallel to the axial direction 18a. The connection flange 27a can be designed as desired, for example as a BFM, TriClamp, as a connection flange 27a for connecting a hose or as a Filcoflex.

Due to the cylindrical basic shape in the support portion 25a, the base body 14a has a wall 28a, the material thickness 42a in the radial direction is less than a material thickness 41a in the axial direction 18a. A shape of the wall 28a corresponds to a ring or cylinder, which is reinforced radially inward for the receptacle 26a in partial areas. The wall 28a has a height which is greater than the material thickness 40a of the main body 14a in the welded portion 22a. Through the wall 28a, the base body 14a in the support portion 25a has a greater axial material thickness 41a than in the welded portion 22a. The minimum height of the wall 28a is preferably at least 20 mm. In the support section 25a, in particular in the region of the wall 28a, the material thickness 41a along the axial direction 18a is thus at least 20 mm. The axial material thickness 41a in the support portion 25a is at least in the region of the wall 28a preferably at least a factor of 5 greater than the material thickness 40a of the base body 14a in the welding portion 22a. The wall 28a encloses in the radial direction an inner region, which is provided in particular for the closure element 17a. If bulk material is removed from the container device 10a, this is passed through the inner region.

The main body 14a has a mass ratio of at least 10: 1 between the support portion 25a and the weld portion 22a, by which the support portion 25a is more solid than the weld portion 22a. The support portion 25a is formed in particular by the wall 28a. With a heat input at the welding edge 19a, the main body 14a heats up, in particular in the welding section 22a. The main body 14a can thereby be connected to the container device 10a by means of the welded connection, without the wall 28a of the support section 25a being heated above a critical temperature beyond which thermal distortion is to be expected.

The receptacle 26a provided for the closure element 17a, which is formed by the support section 25a, is realized by means of the wall 28a. The wall 28a has two recesses 29a, 30a. The recesses 29a, 30a may already be present in the casting mold. To actuate the closure element 17a, the outlet device 13a comprises an actuating shaft 31a, with which the closure element 17a is firmly connected. The actuating shaft 31a is rotatably mounted in the recesses 29a, 30a. At least one of the recesses 29a, 30a is passed through the wall 28a as a recess.

For assembly, first the closure element 17a and the actuating shaft 31a are firmly connected to each other, preferably by a welding process. The closure element 17a is analogous to the base body 14a as a casting. The shutter member 17a and the operation shaft 31a are brought to tolerance before being connected to each other. Subsequently, the actuating shaft 31a is inserted with the connected closure element 17a in the recesses 29a, 30a. The recesses 29a, 30a have a width which allows an oblique insertion of the actuating shaft 31a first into the recess 29a. Subsequently, the operation shaft 31a is aligned and inserted into the second recess 30a. The receptacle 26a enables assembly and disassembly of the actuating shaft 31a with the connected closure element 17a in a state in which the main body 14a is connected to the Behältvervorrichtung 10a. The receptacle 26a is provided for mounting and dismounting the actuating shaft 31a with the connected closure element 17a from below.

For sealing the actuating shaft 31a, the outlet device 13a has two sealed bearing means 38a, 39a, which are inserted from the outside into the recesses 29a, 30a. The bearing means 38a, 39a are mounted after the operating shaft 31a into which the recesses 29a, 30a are inserted. The bearing means 38a, 39a are interchangeable when the closure element 17a is mounted. In principle, the bearing means 38a, 39a can be designed in several parts and each have a bearing and a seal. The bearing and the seal can also be formed at least partially in one piece. The bearing means 38a, 39a form a sliding bearing for the actuating shaft 31a.

The closure element 17a has a mechanical lock 43a, which is provided to limit movement of the closure element 17a. The closure element 17a is designed in the form of a flap. In the open position, the closure element 17a is pivoted in a direction away from the contact surface 15a. The mechanical fuse 43a is in the form of a form-locking connection, which limits the movement of the closure element 17a when pivoted the closed position. In the illustrated embodiment, the fuse 43a is formed as a nose, which rests in the closed position on the base body 14a. In a production of the closure member 17a, the mechanical fuse 43a is first formed with an oversize, which is made after assembly of the closure member 17a to measure to set the closed position regardless of tolerances.

The outlet device 13a comprises an actuator 32a which is provided to provide a torque acting on the actuation shaft 31a for actuating the closure element 17a, and a control and regulation unit 33a for actuating the actuator 32a. Furthermore, the outlet device 13a comprises a sensor, not shown, which is provided to detect a position of the closure element 17a. The sensor is also connected to the control unit 33a. The sensor system can be integrated into the actuator 32a, for example (cf. FIG. 8 ).

In order to seal a connection between the base body 14a and the closure element 17a, the outlet device 13a has a sealing element 34a, which is arranged in the region of the passage opening 16a. The main body 14a comprises in the region of the passage opening 16a a groove 35a, which in the assembled state, the sealing element 34a receives. The groove 35a is directed radially inward. The groove 35a is already provided in the mold.

The sealing element 34a has an adjustable sealing geometry. The sealing geometry of the sealing element 34a can be changed during operation. Due to the adjustable sealing geometry, the sealing element 34a is provided to seal the connection between the closure element 17a and the base body 14a after the closure element 17a has been moved into the closed position. The adjustable sealing geometry is in particular intended to compensate different gap dimensions between the closure element 17a and the base body 14a. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing element 34a is formed as a ring seal. In particular, if the passage opening 16a has a polygonal shape, it is also conceivable to provide further sealing elements, which extend in a composite over the entire passage opening 16a.

The sealing element 34a has a variable volume as adjustable sealing geometry. The main body 14a and the closure element 17a can be manufactured with tolerances in the range of up to 3 mm. The aim is a tolerance of at most 2 mm, the tolerance is preferably in a range between 0.5 mm and 0.8 mm. The tolerance applies in particular for a gap between the closure element 17a and the base body 14a in the region of the sealing element 34a. Due to the variable volume, the sealing element 34a is provided to compensate for the tolerances. After the closure element 17a has been moved to the closed position, a volume is set for the sealing element 34a which is greater than a volume which the sealing element 34a has when the closure element 17a is to be opened or closed.

The sealing element 34a is inserted into the groove 35a, which has the main body 14a. The sealing element 34a is arranged captively in the groove 35a. If the closure element 17a is arranged in the closed position, the sealing element 34a is arranged spatially between the base body 14a and the closure element 17a. If the volume of the sealing element 34a is increased when the sealing element 34a is in the closed position, the sealing element 34a is clamped between the base body 14a and the closure element 17a. The actuator 32a is in particular intended to move the closure element 17a. The actuator 32a is not intended to press the sealing element 34a.

The sealing element 34a is intended to be at least partially filled with a pressure medium. The sealing element 34a has a cavity 37a, which is intended to be filled with the pressure medium. The sealing member 34a is made of an elastic and / or flexible material which is intended to stretch when the cavity 37a is filled with the pressure medium. The volume of the sealing element 34a depends in particular on a pressure and / or a quantity of the filled-in pressure medium. The sealing element 34a has at least one pressure medium connection, to which the cavity 37a is connected. The cavity 37a is sealed in the direction of an environment. In order to increase the volume of the sealing element 34a, the cavity 37a is filled with the pressure medium via the pressure medium connection. In order to reduce the volume of the sealing element 34a, pressure medium is discharged from the cavity 37a via the pressure medium connection. Preferably, the sealing element 34a is made of an elastic material whose volume decreases automatically when the pressure medium connection is depressurized. Alternatively it can also be provided to actively pump out the pressure medium from the cavity 37a.

The sealing element 34a is pneumatically adjustable. The cavity 37a is intended to be filled with a gas, in particular with air. The pressure medium connection is preferably designed as a compressed air connection 36a. The control and regulation unit 33a is provided for adjusting the sealing element 34a. The control and regulation unit 33a, which is provided for opening and / or closing the closure element 17a by means of the actuator 32a, is intended to change the sealing geometry of the sealing element 34a. The actuator 32a comprises at least one motor for actuating the closure element 17a. The control and regulation unit 33a comprises at least one valve for adjusting the at least one sealing element 34a.

If the cavity 37a is filled with the pressure medium, the sealing element 34a is braced between the base body 14a and the closure element 17a in the groove 35a of the base body 14a. The sealing element 34a partially projects out of the groove 35a (cf. FIG. 9 ). The control unit 33 a is provided to the cavity 37 a with To fill pressure medium when the closure element 17a is closed. In order to open the closure element 17a, the control and regulation unit 33a depressurizes the cavity 37a. The volume of the sealing element 34a decreases. In particular, a gap may arise between the sealing element 34a and the closure element 17a. At least a contact pressure of the sealing element 34a is reduced to the closure element 17a. As soon as the sealing element 34a is depressurized, the control and regulation unit 33a opens the closure element 17a (cf. FIG. 10 ). The control and regulation unit 33a depressurises the sealing element 34a as long as the closure element 17a is opened. In a pressureless state, the sealing element 34a is arranged substantially in the groove 35a, ie seen in the radial direction, the sealing element 34a is at most 10% of its radial extent out of the groove 35a out.

The control and regulation unit 33a is provided to set a working pressure between 3 bar and 4 bar for the sealing element 34a. Preferably, the working pressure is limited to 6 bar. The sensor system comprises at least one pressure sensor which is provided for monitoring the working pressure. The control and regulation unit 33a is provided to detect a defect of the sealing element 34a by means of the sensor system and to output an error message. To detect the position of the closure element 17a, the sensor system comprises at least one position sensor. The control and regulation unit 33a is provided to adjust the closed position by means of the position sensor. The mechanical fuse 43a is provided in particular for protection of the mixing device in the event of failure of the position sensor. In one operation, the control unit 33a detects the position of the shutter member 17a by means of the sensor and controls the seal member 34a in response to the detected position. The control and regulation unit 33a is provided in particular for pressurizing the sealing element 34a only when the closure element 17a is in the closed position.

In the FIGS. 11 to 13 two further embodiments of the invention are shown. The following descriptions are essentially limited to the differences between the embodiments, wherein with respect to the same components, features and functions on the description of the other embodiments, in particular the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 10 , can be referenced. To distinguish the embodiments, the letter a in the reference numerals of the embodiment in the FIGS. 1 to 10 by the letters b and c in the reference numerals of the embodiments of the FIGS. 11 to 13 replaced. With regard to identically designated components, in particular with regard to components with the same reference numerals, can in principle also to the drawings and / or the description of the other embodiments, in particular of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 to 10 , to get expelled.

FIG. 11 shows a main body 14b of an outlet 13b. The main body 14b has a contact surface for engagement with a container device and a passage opening 16b, which is arranged in the mounted state in alignment with an outlet recess in the container device. The passage opening 16b delimited by the base body 14b has a cross-sectional area which is oriented perpendicular to an axial direction of the outlet device 13b. The main body 14b is formed as a casting. The entire base body 14b is integrally formed. The main body 14b is made of a metal. For a production of the main body 14b, a casting mold is used which has all the essential contours of the main body 14b. In particular, the passage opening 16b and a receptacle 26b for a closure element are already at least preformed in the casting mold.

In order to seal a connection between the main body 14b and the closure element, the outlet device 13b has a sealing element 34b, which is arranged in the region of the passage opening 16b. The main body 14b comprises in the region of the passage opening 16b a groove 35b, which receives the sealing element 34b in the assembled state. The groove 35b is directed radially inward. The groove 35b is already provided in the mold. The sealing element 34b is inserted into the groove 35b, which has the base body 14b. The sealing element 34b is arranged captively in the groove 35b.

The sealing element 34b has an adjustable sealing geometry. The sealing geometry of the sealing element 34b is variable during operation. Due to the adjustable sealing geometry, the sealing element 34b is provided to seal the connection between the closure element and the base body 14b after the closure element 17b has been moved into the closed position. The sealing element 34b has a variable volume as adjustable sealing geometry. After the closure element has been moved to the closed position, is for the sealing element 34b set a volume which is greater than a volume which has the sealing element 34b when the closure element is to be opened or closed.

The sealing element 34b is intended to be at least partially filled with a pressure medium. The sealing element 34b has a cavity 37b, which is intended to be filled with the pressure medium. The sealing member 34b is made of an elastic and / or flexible material which is intended to stretch when the cavity 37b is filled with the pressure medium. The volume of the sealing element 34b depends in particular on a pressure and / or a quantity of the filled-in pressure medium. The sealing element 34b has at least one pressure medium connection, to which the cavity 37b is connected. The cavity 37b is sealed in the direction of an environment. In order to increase the volume of the sealing element 34b, the cavity 37b is filled with the pressure medium via the pressure medium connection. In order to reduce the volume of the sealing element 34b, the pressure medium is discharged from the cavity 37b via the pressure medium connection. The sealing element 34b is pneumatically adjustable. The cavity 37b is intended to be filled with a gas, in particular with air. The pressure medium connection is preferably designed as a compressed air connection 36b. A control and regulating unit is provided for adjusting the sealing element 34b. The control and regulation unit, which is provided for opening and / or closing the closure element by means of the actuator, is intended to change the sealing geometry of the sealing element 34b. The control unit comprises at least one valve for adjusting the at least one sealing element 34b.

If the cavity 37b is filled with the pressure medium, the sealing element 34b is braced between the base body 14b and the closure element 17b in the groove 35b of the base body 14b. The sealing element 34b partially protrudes from the groove 35b. The control unit is provided to fill the cavity 37b with the pressure medium when the closure member is closed. In order to open the closure element, the control and regulation unit depressurizes the cavity 37b. The volume of the sealing element 34b decreases. The control unit is intended to set a working pressure between 3 bar and 4 bar for the sealing element 34b. Preferably, the working pressure is limited to 6 bar.

Furthermore, the outlet device 13b has a sensor unit 44b. The sensor unit 44b is provided to sense an integrity of the sealing element 34b. The sensor unit 44b is provided to sense a pressure loss, in particular an undesired pressure loss, in the sealing element 34b. The sensor unit 44b is arranged on an outer side of the main body 14. The sensor unit 44b is arranged on the side of the compressed air connection 36b facing away from the sealing element 34b. In one operation, the sensor unit 44b is interposed between a compressed air line and the compressed air port 36b. In principle, however, another arrangement of the sensor unit 44b which would appear meaningful to a person skilled in the art would also be conceivable. For example, it would be conceivable to integrate the sensor unit 44b at least partially into the main body 14. Furthermore, the sensor unit 44b comprises a flow sensor 45b. The flow sensor 45b is integrated in a housing of the sensor unit 44b. The flow sensor 45b is designed to detect a flow of the pressure medium into the sealing element 34b and out of the sealing element 34b. The flow sensor 45b is arranged on a supply line for the pressure medium. The flow sensor 45b is disposed at the compressed air port 36b.

Furthermore, the sensor unit 44b is connected to the control unit. The data of the sensor unit 44b are transmitted via a not further visible data connection to the control unit. The data of the sensor unit 44b are processed and evaluated by the control unit. Further, the control unit is provided to monitor the integrity of the sealing element 34b during operation. If damage or leakage of the sealing element 34b detected, for example, an error message and / or an alarm can be issued. Furthermore, the damage or leakage of the sealing element 34b is documented in an electronic log. FIG. 13 shows a device for processing bulk material, which is designed as a mixing device. In particular, the device comprises a container device 10c and an outlet device 13c. The outlet device 13c comprises a main body 14c, which is materially connected to the container device 10c and a closure element 17c. The outlet device 13c differs in particular in a shape and in dimensions from that of the preceding embodiment. The main body 14c has a support portion with a partially rectangular configuration. The closure element 17c is also rectangular.

Claims (10)

1. Outlet device (13), in particular for a bulk material silo, with a base body (14) comprising a pass-through opening (16), with a closure element (17) that is configured to close the pass-through opening (16), and with at least one sealing element (34) that is configured for sealing a connection between the base body (14) and the closure element (17), wherein the at least one sealing element (34) has an adjustable sealing geometry,
   characterised by
   at least one sensor unit (44), which is configured to detect an intactness of the sealing element (34), wherein the sensor unit (44) comprises at least one flow-through sensor (45).
2. Outlet device (13) according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   the at least one sealing element (34) has a modifiable volume.
3. Outlet device (13) according to claim 1 or 2,
   characterised in that
   the at least one sealing element (34) is configured to be filled at least partially with a pressure medium.
4. Outlet device (13) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the sealing element (34) is realized to be pneumatically adjustable.
5. Outlet device (13) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised by
   a control and regulation unit (33) which is, for the purpose of an opening and/or a closing of the at least one closure element (17), configured to modify the sealing geometry of the sealing element (34).
6. Outlet device (13) according to one of the preceding claims,
   characterised in that
   the base body (14) comprises a groove (35) for an accommodation of the at least one sealing element (34).
7. Outlet device (13) according to claim 6,
   characterised in that
   the sealing element (34) is arranged in the groove (35) in a loss-proof manner.
8. Outlet device (13) according to claim 6 or 7,
   characterised in that
   the groove (35) is configured to accommodate the sealing element (34) entirely in the basic state.
9. Outlet device (13) according to claim 5,
   characterised in that
   the at least one sensor unit (44) is connected to the control and regulation unit (33), and the control and regulation unit (33) is configured to monitor the intactness of the sealing element (34) at least during operation.
10. Method for operating
    an outlet device (13) according to one of claims 1 to 9,
    characterized in that
    a sealing geometry of the sealing element (34) is adjusted.

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