EP3212983A1

EP3212983A1 - Flow regulation device having a deformable tubular membrane, fluid distribution line and apparatus comprising such a device

Info

Publication number: EP3212983A1
Application number: EP15790083.8A
Authority: EP
Inventors: André Jean Jacques GRAFFIN
Original assignee: Serac Group SAS
Current assignee: Serac Group SAS
Priority date: 2014-10-31
Filing date: 2015-10-29
Publication date: 2017-09-06
Also published as: FR3028057A1; US20170315567A1; BR112017008953A2; WO2016066774A1

Abstract

Flow regulation device (400) comprising a rigid external envelope (1) surrounding an internal tube (3) and defining, with same, an annular chamber. The device has ends provided with means (2.1, 2.2) for sealed connection thereof to a fluid line to be regulated, such that the internal tube is connected in series to said line. The chamber comprises means (7) for introducing a pressurized regulating fluid therein, the internal tube being configured to dilate under the pressure of the fluid to be regulated when the pressure of the fluid to be regulated exceeds the pressure of the regulating fluid. The device comprises a detector (8) of the dilation of the internal tube, and connection means (9) from the detector to a control unit (500) of a source connected to the line. Fluid distribution line and apparatus comprising such a device.

Description

Flow control device with deformable tubular membrane, fluid distribution line and

The present invention relates to the regulation of fluids in a circuit such as a fluid distribution circuit.

Such a distribution circuit is for example used in container filling installations for supplying liquid to the filling machine arranged to fill the containers with said liquid. The filling machine is connected to a liquid storage tank by a distribution line on which is mounted a variable flow pump. Since the machine must be supplied with liquid at a substantially constant pressure, the operation of the pump is generally controlled according to the pressure detected downstream of the pump by a pressure sensor mounted on the line or on the filling machine: as soon as the pressure drops, the pump is controlled to accelerate. However, it happens that the pressure varies relatively significantly depending on the rate of operation of the filling machine, especially during transients, at startup and shutdown of the machine. Due to the differences between pressure sensor dynamics and pump response time, liquid pressure can fluctuate between values below and above the set pressure, and water hammer phenomena can occur. .

To remedy this drawback, it is known to connect a buffer accumulator in parallel with the line to dampen the pressure variations. This solution is, however, disadvantageous in particular in liquid food filling installations. These facilities must be periodically cleaned and this cleaning is done by circulating a cleaning product in the circuit of the installation. If the circuit will circulate well in the distribution line and clean it effectively, it is difficult to constrain the cleaning product to circulate in the accumulator except to provide valves for this purpose, which complicates the circuit of the installation.

An object of the invention is to provide a means for improving the maintenance of a substantially constant pressure in a product distribution line.

For this purpose, there is provided a predetermined pressure fluid distribution line comprising in series a variable flow source and a flow control device comprising a rigid outer casing (1) surrounding an inner tube (3) and defining therewith an annular chamber, the device having ends provided with means (2.1, 2.2) for their sealing connection to the fluid line such that the inner tube is connected in series with the fluid line to be regulated, the chamber comprising means (7) for introducing under pressure a control fluid, the inner tube being arranged to expand under the pressure of the fluid to be regulated when the pressure of the fluid to be regulated exceeds a threshold depending on the pressure of the fluid of regulation and the device comprising a detector (8) for dilating the inner tube, the source and the expansion detector (8) being connected to a programmed control unit (500) for controlling the source according to a signal provided by the expansion detector so as to maintain the pressure of the fluid to be regulated at the predetermined pressure value.

In the case of an elastically deformable inner tube, it is understood that the threshold depends on the pressure of the control fluid that will be adjusted according to a set pressure of the fluid to be regulated. When the pressure of the fluid to be regulated increases to the point of exceeding the threshold, the inner tube expands and the source is controlled according to the expansion of the inner tube to limit the increase in pressure downstream of the device and reduce the pressure in downstream of the device to the set pressure.

The invention also relates to a filling installation comprising a liquid reservoir connected to a filling machine of containers by this distribution line.

Other features and advantages of the invention will become apparent on reading the following description of particular non-limiting embodiments of the invention.

Reference will be made to the appended drawings, among which:

- Figure 1 is a schematic view of a filling installation according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective and transparency view of a regulating device according to the invention;

- Figure 3 is a partial perspective view and in longitudinal section of the device;

FIG. 4 is a detail view of FIG.

The invention is here described in application to a container filling installation.

With reference to the figures, the filling installation comprises a filling machine 100 connected to a liquid reservoir 200 via a distribution line. The distribution line includes in series a variable flow pump 300 and a control device, generally designated at 400, downstream of the pump 300. The pump 300 and the regulation device are connected to a control unit 500 programmed to drive the pump 300 from a signal from the control device 400. The filling machine 100, the liquid tank 200 and the pump 300 are known per se and will not be detailed here.

The regulating device 400 comprising an outer casing 1, here tubular and rigid, surrounding an inner tube 3 and an intermediate tube 5 disposed between the inner tube 3 and the outer casing 1, at a distance thereof. The outer casing 1, the inner tube 3 and the intermediate tube 5 are coaxial. The inner tube 3 protrudes from both sides of the intermediate tube 5 and the outer casing 1 which are of the same length.

An upstream cover 6.1 and an annular downstream cover 6.2 are mounted on the ends of the inner tube 3, the intermediate tube 5 and the outer casing 1.1. Each cover 6.1, 6.2 comprises two circular housings in which are engaged and sealed the ends of the intermediate tube 5 and the outer casing 1 and a central bore in which is engaged and sealingly attached to the end of the inner tube 3. It is understood that the covers 6.1, 6.2 form spacers maintaining in position the inner tube 3, the intermediate tube 5 and the outer shell 1.1 relative to each other. A chamber 4 of annular shape is thus formed between the inner tube 3 and the outer casing 1 and separated into two compartments by the intermediate tube 5. The intermediate tube 4 is pierced with holes for communicating the two compartments. The inner tube 3 comprises a tubular wall of elastomeric material having ends engaged and fixed respectively to an upstream tubular nozzle 2.1 and a downstream tubular nozzle 2.2. The tubular ends 2.1, 2.2 are both rigid and allow the attachment of the elastomer wall to the covers 6.1, 6.2. The ends of the elastomer wall of the inner tube 3 each comprise an external lateral projection flange (only the rim 30.2 of the downstream end is visible in FIG. 4) covering one face of an outer flange of the corresponding tubular endpiece. (Only the collar of the tubular end-piece downstream 2.2 is visible). An annular bead (only the annular bead 31.2 of the rim 30.2 of the downstream end is visible in Figure 4) extends in axial projection forward and backward of the flange to form a seal. The annular bead is obtained by molding in one piece with the flange. The tubular ends 2.1, 2.2, the flanges (in particular 30.2) and the annular beads (in particular 31.2) form means for sealing connection of the regulating device 400 to the distribution line so that the inner tube 3 is connected in series with the distribution line. The distribution line comprises for this purpose ends provided with collars which will be applied against the annular beads in a manner known per se, for example by flanges, collars or a screw / nut assembly.

The chamber 4 comprises means for introducing under pressure a control fluid, in this case air. The pressure introduction means of the control fluid comprise a pressure regulator regulator 7 connected to an air pressure source 600 and fixed to the cover 6.2 to open into the chamber 4 between the intermediate tube 5 and the outer casing 1 .

The control device 400 comprises a 8 detector of expansion of the inner tube 3. The detector 8 is arranged to provide a signal proportional to the expansion of the inner tube 3 and is provided with an electric cable 9 connecting to the control unit 500 to provide it with said proportional signal. The detector 8 is mounted between the intermediate tube 5 and the outer casing 1 and has a probe 10 extending between the intermediate tube 5 and the inner tube 3.

In operation, the pump 300 is controlled by the control unit 500 to maintain the liquid to be dispensed at a predetermined set pressure.

Air is introduced under pressure into the chamber 4 via the regulator pressure regulator 7. The air pressure is determined according to the set pressure to define a threshold whose use is explained below.

The inner tube 3 is traversed by the liquid to be dispensed and expands under the pressure of the liquid to be dispensed when the pressure of the liquid to be dispensed exceeds the threshold depending on the pressure of the control fluid. The inner tube 3 expands and meets the probe 10 and moves it. The detector 8 then supplies the control unit 500 with a signal and the control unit 500 will use this signal to drive the pump 3 so as to maintain constant the pressure of the liquid to be distributed circulating in the line downstream of the pump 300.

In the embodiment described, the control unit interrupts the pump on receipt of the signal from the detector 8.

The inner tube 3 is arranged to be able to expand from a liquid pressure to be dispensed located at the lower limit of the range of pressures of the liquid to be dispensed usually used in such an installation. The elastomer wall of the tube internal 3 is here a silicone elastomer and has a thickness of about 0.5 mm. The inner tube can expand without deterioration, that is to say remaining within its elastic limit, up to a maximum diameter here equal to about twice its diameter at rest. The intermediate tube 5 is positioned to limit the expansion of the inner tube 3 to this maximum diameter.

The choice of the material and the dimensions of the inner tube 3 is made so as to limit the resistance that the material opposes to the expansion so as to have a most direct connection possible between the value of the air pressure in the chamber 4 and the value of the pressure of the liquid to be dispensed. The air pressure in the chamber 4 can then be substantially equal to the set pressure because the resistance of the material to expansion is neglected.

The chamber 4 has a sufficient volume to dampen a rapid expansion of the inner tube 3 by limiting the relative variations of the volume of air contained in the chamber 4 (if a small volume chamber is used, preferably a safety valve to evacuate the excess pressure).

Note that the device is easy to clean in a closed circuit.

Of course, the invention is not limited to the embodiments described but encompasses any variant within the scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

In particular, the device may have a different structure than that described. The device may in particular be devoid of intermediate tube, the outer envelope defining a single chamber. To maintain a sufficient volume of control fluid, it may be provided to connect this chamber to an external reservoir of control fluid. The definition of the invention should be interpreted as also covering an inversion of the components of the regulating device.

Other ways of connecting the regulation device to the line are conceivable.

Other methods of detecting dilation are possible. For example, the detector comprises, as a variant, a proximity sensor mounted on the outer casing facing a metal pad fixed on the inner tube 3.

The detector can provide a signal proportional to the expansion of the inner tube 3.

It is possible to provide two thresholds for controlling the pump so as to maintain the expansion of the inner tube between these two thresholds.

The regulating device can be mounted on the line supplying the filling machine or on the line bringing back to the reservoir the product to be dispensed which is not used by the filling machine.

The invention is applicable to any type of installation comprising a fluid circuit to be regulated, whether in the field of packaging or elsewhere.

Claims

A predetermined pressure fluid distribution line, comprising in series a variable flow source and a flow control device comprising a rigid outer casing (1) surrounding an inner tube (3) and defining therewith a annular chamber, the device having ends provided with means (2.1, 2.2) for their sealing connection to the fluid line such that the inner tube is connected in series with the fluid line to be regulated, the chamber comprising means ( 7) for introducing under pressure a control fluid, the inner tube being arranged to expand under the pressure of the fluid to be regulated when the pressure of the fluid to be regulated exceeds a threshold depending on the pressure of the control fluid and the device comprising a detector (8) for dilating the inner tube, the source and the expansion detector (8) being connected to a control unit (500) programmed to drive the source in function of a signal provided by the expansion detector so as to maintain the pressure of the fluid to be regulated at the predetermined pressure value.

2. Line according to claim 1, wherein a pierced intermediate tube (5) extends coaxially in the annular chamber (4) to limit the expansion of the inner tube (3).

3. Line according to claim 2, wherein the expansion sensor (8) is mounted between the intermediate tube (5) and the outer casing (1).

4. Line according to claim 1, wherein the pressure introduction means of the control fluid comprises a pressure regulator regulator (8).

Line according to claim 1, wherein the detector (8) comprises a proximity sensor mounted on the outer casing (1) facing a metal pad fixed on the inner tube (3).

6. Line according to claim 1, wherein the inner tube (3) comprises an elastomeric tubular wall having ends fixed to rigid tubular ends (2.1, 2.2) engaged in ends of the outer casing.

7. Line according to claim 6, wherein the ends of the inner tube (3) each comprise a flange (30.2) external lateral projection covering a face of a flange of the tip (22) corresponding, an annular bead (31.2 ) extending axially from the flange to form a seal.

Filling apparatus comprising a liquid reservoir (200) connected to a container filling machine by a dispensing line according to any one of the preceding claims.