ES2220628T3 - MATERIAL STEP CLOSURE SYSTEM. - Google Patents

Abstract

System of passages of passage of material to continuously insert and remove material in beam (200) in a closed enclosure of transformation (205) that presents an atmosphere of transformation, with traction devices (206 - 210, 213 - 218) which pull the material into a beam (200) by passing it through the transformation enclosure (205), and with at least one chamber (201-204); said system of material passage locks being characterized by the fact that the beam material (200) passes through the chambers (201-204) both to go to the transformation enclosure (205) and to return from the enclosure of transformation (205), each of the material passages of the chambers (201-204) presenting a respective lock (220, 221) for the flow of the material and for the return of the material.

Description

System of material passage locks.

The invention relates to a sluice system of material passage to continuously insert and / or remove material in do in a and / or a closed transformation enclosure that presents An atmosphere of transformation.

In many branches of the industry they are used as raw materials and material intermediate products in beam, as per example tufts of irregular fibers such as combed fibers of natural wool or fiber meshes and braids of regular fibers, as p. ex. technical textiles To prepare such materials in beam for a subsequent processing step are used in many cases chemical and physical transformation processes with which the surface of the beam material is modified.

In chemical transformation processes are frequently used hot aggressive substances that form an atmosphere of transformation in which the beam material. The atmosphere of transformation is usually produced in a transformation or reactor enclosure in which it is introduced the material in beam before the transformation.

In the physical transformation processes, and in particularly in the case of a plasma transformation, it is produced in a transformation enclosure a gaseous atmosphere rarefied with a pressure that is located within the range of pressures that correspond to a high vacuum. In a gaseous atmosphere of this type a plasma can be produced with which it can be modified the beam material.

If in one of the transformation processes mentioned work with a reactor designed for operation intermittent, in each work step it can be transformed as load only a certain amount of material in beam. For each load must be adjusted again the atmosphere in the enclosure of transformation.

To be able to continually transform materials in beam have been developed as test facilities plasma reactors presenting a reactor enclosure through from which the beam material is continuously passed. The Beam material is also introduced through an entry step  in the transformation enclosure and is taken through a step of exit. The entry and exit steps are simple gaps in the wall or systems of several consecutive gaps on the wall of the transformation enclosure, and therefore present sealing properties that are insufficient. It is known from US 4,087,992 such a system, in which the wall gaps are configured in the manner of nozzles

The invention pursues the purpose of providing a system of passages of passage of material to put and take out continuously beam material in and from a closed enclosure of transformation that presents an atmosphere of transformation, being said system of passages of passage of material apt to work of  in such a way that it is free of wear and free of faults and produces a good seal of the transformation enclosure.

This purpose is achieved according to the invention. with the characteristics of claim 1.

In a system of material passage locks according to the invention to continuously insert and remove material in a beam in and of a transformation enclosure at least one chamber through which the beam material passes to go to transformation enclosure and returns from the enclosure of transformation. Here the material steps of the camera or the cameras are each provided with a sluice for the first leg of the material and for the return of the material.

Particularly when there is a vacuum in the transformation enclosure is advantageous to gather the entrance and the material output in a chamber. If the entrance area is separated from the exit zone, a vacuum pump is necessary in each of both zones. Gathering in a chamber the entrance and the output of beam material is only necessary only one Only vacuum pump.

If through the system of locks of passage of material according to the invention in the transformation enclosure is transforms, for example, wool into the form of beam material, the wool surface is increased due to the treatment performed in the transformation enclosure. The surface of the beam material coming out of the locks is therefore greater than that of the beam material entering through the locks. Because of this surface increase, the beam material that comes out of the locks and that after passing through the locks passes an area that it has a higher vacuum to an area that has a lower vacuum acts  as a rare factor, that is to say that due to the material in beam that comes out a pumping action is produced by the locks. Since this pumping action helps produce vacuum in the chamber, camera performance is improved.

In order to produce a high vacuum in the enclosure of transformation, are preferably arranged one after another several cameras in which the vacuum is increased stepwise in the direction of the transformation site. The beam material is passed through each camera to put it in the enclosure of transformation and take it out of it, which produces the action of pumping in each chamber.

Preferably a camera is provided in each chamber. traction device to put the material into a beam and a traction device to remove the material in beam, being said traction devices actuated synchronously. Due to the fact of being the introduction and extraction of the material in get together spatially, traction devices can be operated with a single motor. According to the dimensions of the cameras and depending on the material in beam to be transported, it may be enough with a smaller amount of traction devices.

The material passage locks have preferably a tubular connecting element whose section transverse is susceptible to being modified by deformation, understood as a material passage a step for material in beam that does not carry considerable amounts of gas, of so that both sides of a sluice can reign differently gas pressures or there may be different gaseous atmospheres. With an adjustable pressure device that supports outside the connecting element, which is for example a flexible tube and elastic, different cross sections of the opening.

Inside the elastic tube is left with it configured an input conduit through which it is transported the material in beam. Already through the interstitium elongated between the tube and the beam material an effect of sealing. Through the adjustable pressure device, which compress the elastic tube, the gap between the beam material and the tube wall, allowing the surfaces of slip set on the elastic tube, which are configured in such a way that they are resistant to wear, minimize the passage of gas through the connection element. The material passage lock also features a device traction with which the material is pulled into a beam making it through the inlet of the connection element. The traction device, which seen in the direction of transport of the beam material is located before the connecting element, guarantees that the beam material is transported reliably passing through the connection element even when the beam material applied everywhere to the wall of the element of Connection. This configuration of the material passage allows you to enter in a transformation room first of all you do of irregular fibers or textiles excluding the outside atmosphere. The material passage can however be also used for material made in the form of threads.

The inner surface of the elastic tube does not it has edges or indentations, and is therefore particularly suitable for admitting fibrous material. They are particularly suitable round tubes. A tube that being distended have a circular cross section of length invariable perimeter has the advantage that already small deformations produced by a pressure applied from the outside they result in a great relative narrowing of the cross section.

The pressure device may have a mechanically actuated pressure element. A pressure element mechanically operated of this type can be fixedly adjusted for steady state operation, or it can also exert a variable pressure through an element of spring. It is also possible to provide a driven pressure element mechanically and provided with an adjustment element that is driven by an electric motor and exert a dependent pressure of the instantaneous quality of the beam material.

A pressure device with a cylinder of Hydraulically or pneumatically operated pressure has the advantage of to be able to exert great pressures, taking place at the same time a rapid response to control pulses, depending on configuration of the pressure cylinder. With a flexible sleeve surrounding the less partially the flexible tube and is filled with a fluid that be connected to a pressure generating device can surround yourself well with the help of a flexible tube first of all materials in very irregular bundles, such as combed wool fibers of sheep.

For the control of the pressure device the material passage according to the invention has a unit of control that based on the tensile stress in the beam material controls the pressure device in such a way that the tensile stress is kept as constant as possible in the material passage.

The control unit preferably has a surface sensor and a tensile force sensor. With the surface sensor can determine the surface of the cross section of the beam material coming out of the tube connection, and the tensile force sensor serves to determine the tensile force that is exerted on the material in make. From the determined tensile force and the surface of the determined cross section can be determined the tensile stress in the beam material, whereby the pressure device can be controlled in a way that is maintained a constant effort on the beam material between the tube Flexible and traction device. Thanks to this it is possible surround the beam material so closely that it can just be traction passed without breaking through the flexible tube. Thanks to this, gas exchange is minimized. It is also achieved that the beam material that is transported to the enclosure of transformation be transported inside the enclosure of transformation with a defined delay.

In another embodiment, the variation of the cross section of the inlet of the connecting element it is made by the beam material, which widens the element of connection as required. If the connection element is a tube flexible made from a material that recovers autonomously, whereby the connection element contracts, it can be transported through the passage of material passage in beam of any class, always being guaranteed that the element of connection will be applied to the beam material. The element of connection is preferably an elastomeric flexible tube made to base of a wear-resistant plastic or provided with a wear resistant coating. The material passage lock  conceived according to this embodiment is also fixedly arranged in the vessel wall of a reactor or enclosure of transformation and provided with a control unit that controls the traction device depending on tensile stresses that exist in the material in beam.

Additional configurations and refinements Advantageous of the invention are apparent from the claims. Dependents and drawings in connection with the description, which it refers to preferred embodiments.

The different figures show the following:

Fig. 1, a first embodiment of a material passage in a schematic representation in longitudinal section;

Fig. 2, the passage of material passage of the Fig. 1 in a perspective representation;

Fig. 3, a second embodiment of a material passage in a schematic representation in longitudinal section; Y

Fig. 4, a system of passage locks of material according to the invention in a schematic representation in longitudinal section.

The passage 10 of passage of material that is illustrated in Figure 1 is configured as an entrance lock for a fibrous material in bundle 12 that is transported being carried through a pressure-resistant and waterproof wall 14 to the gases in a container inside a plasma reactor. The  material passage 10 has a connection element 16 which is in connection with the wall 14 of the container and through the which material is passed in beam 12 by means of a device traction 18 which is disposed inside the reactor of plasma. The transport direction of the beam material 12 is indicated by arrow A.

The connection element 16 is a flexible tube 20 which is made of wear resistant material, being distended has a circular cross section and with its first end 22 that is facing the transformation enclosure of the plasma reactor is inserted into a circular opening practiced on the wall 14 of the container. The tube 20 is welded with the wall 14 of the container with a weld bead surrounding 24. Inside, the tube 20 defines as the mouth of inlet 26 an inlet conduit that at the first end 22 of the tube 20 is open towards the reactor transformation enclosure plasma and at the second end 28 of the tube 20 is open to the atmosphere.

The cross section of the mouth opening input 26 is adjustable by a pressure device 30 which features a frame 32 with an antagonist support 34 through from which the tube 20 passes. On the side of the frame 32 opposite the antagonist support 34 a pressure bar 36 is arranged which It is guided in frame 32 and is capable of being operated by means of a hydraulic cylinder 38. The pressure bar 36 exerts pressure in tube 20 so that tube 20 is crushed between the antagonist support 34 and the pressure bar 36. Since at the second end 28 of the tube, which is the end by which it is provided the material in beam 12, the circular cross section of the tube 20 is larger than the cross section of the beam material 12, due to the narrowing of the cross section of the tube 20 which is produced by the pressure device 30 a funnel-like configuration through which the material in beam 12 It's almost threaded. Since tube 20 does not present in its wall edges or grooves, the material in beam 12 can be introduced in the plasma reactor without danger of being caught in the lock 10 of passage of material.

To optimally adapt the cross section from the opening of the connecting element 16 to the beam material 12 a control unit 40 is provided that through a line of control 42 controls a pressure source 44 that through a pressure medium pipe 46 supplies hydraulic oil to the hydraulic cylinder 38. Through a first sensor line 48, the control unit 40 is in connection with an optical sensor 50 of surfaces that determines the surface of the cross section of the material in beam 12 leaving the flexible tube 20. A sensor of the tensile force determines the tensile force exerted by the traction device 18 in the beam material 12, and through of a second sensor line 52 transmits the force value of traction to the control unit 40. From the surface of the cross section of the 12 beam material and the force of traction, the control unit 40 determines the tensile stress existing in the material in beam 12. To achieve a sealing optimal, in the control unit 40 the tensile stress determined is compared to a limit value for the effort of traction. As long as the tensile stress is less than the value established limit, through control line 42 is sent a signal to the pressure source 44, whereby the device pressure 30 exerts a pressure on the tube with the pressure bar 20. When the limit value for tensile force is exceeded, a signal is emitted, whereby the pressure bar 36 is shifted back.

To prevent the penetration of substances foreign unwanted in the plasma reactor, in the element of connection 16 a gas intake device 54 is provided to through which an inlet can be introduced 26 a reaction gas or inert gas that conforms to the prevailing atmosphere in the reaction room of the plasma reactor. The gas that is provided through the gas intake device 54 expels the air that is dragged with the material in beam and contributes with it to keep the atmosphere in the plasma reactor with the desired composition

The passage 110 of material passage according to the second embodiment of Fig. 3 differs from the sluice 10 of passage of material according to the first form of embodiment of Figs. 1 and 2 only in the configuration of the connection element 116, as well as in the configuration of the unit of control 140. Equivalent components have been given therefore reference numbers that are increased by 100 with respect to the first embodiment.

In the second embodiment the element of connection 116 is an elastomeric flexible tube 120 that is introduced into an opening made in a wall 114 of the container. The elastomeric flexible tube 120 runs presenting a narrowing in the manner of a nozzle with a kind of input funnel 160 and a kind of output funnel 162, being configured between the input funnel 160 and the funnel of exit 162 an area 164 of application to the material, in which the connection element 116 is applied to the beam material 112.

The beam material 112 is passed by traction to through the inlet port 126 of the connecting element 116 by a traction device 118 that has two cylinders transport 166, 168 driven by a drive motor. To monitor the tensile stress existing in the material in beam 112, as in the first embodiment is provided a sensor 150 of surfaces that through a first signal line 148 is connected to a control unit 140. The force transmitted from the drive motor and through cylinders 166, 168 to beam material 112 is determined in the traction device 118 and through a second line of control 152 is transmitted to control unit 140. From the data transmitted to the control unit 140, the unit of control 140 calculates the tensile stress prevailing in the material in beam 112. The drive motor of the traction device 118 is then accelerated or braked by the control unit 140 depending on the tensile stress determined.

If through the passage 110 of passage of material according to the second embodiment it is passed by traction non-uniform material, such as combed wool fibers of sheep, connection element 116 widens when passed to through it by traction thickening or knots. To be transported through the lock 110 of passage of material parts thin of the beam, the connecting element 116 contracts in the area 164 of application to the material due to internal stresses, and it is also then applied to the material in beam 112. If the connection element is arranged outside an enclosure of transformation and outside the queen transformation enclosure a pressure higher than the prevailing inside the enclosure of transformation, the connecting element is compressed by pressure environment even without internal forces in the element of Connection.

To achieve a particularly good sealing, may also be arranged one after the other several locks of passage of material in a wall of a container.

In the system of passages of passage of material that is depicted in Fig. 4, a beam material 200 is transported inside a transformation enclosure 205 going through several cameras 201-204. For the introduction of the 200 beam material in the transformation enclosure 205, in each 201-204 chamber a traction device 206-209, and in the enclosure of transformation 205 are provided traction devices 210 and 213. The material in beam 200 is transported by the devices of traction 206-210 in Fig. 4 to the right a through transformation enclosure 205 being taken to a pulley Forwarding 211. An additional forwarding pulley 212 forwards in material in beam 200 in the opposite direction, with what said Beam material is transported in Fig. 4 to the left by the traction device 213. In the transport direction after the traction device 213, the beam material 200 goes through cameras 201-204 in the opposite direction. Each 201-204 camera features for this an additional traction device 214-217. To continue transporting the material in beam 200 from camera 201, outside camera 201 is an additional traction device 218 is provided.

Each 201-204 camera features also a respective lock 220 for the flow of the material and a respective lock 221 for the return of the material.

To be able to produce in the enclosure of transformation 205 a high vacuum by a vacuum pump 222, which through a pipe 223 is in connection with the enclosure of transformation 205, in cameras 201-204 the vacuum It is incrementally staggered. Therefore, through a pipe 224 chamber 201 is in connection with a vacuum pump 225. Adjoining chamber 202 is through a pipe 226 in connection with a vacuum pump 227 which produces in chamber 202 a vacuum that is higher than the vacuum that is produced in the chamber 201. Correspondingly, in chamber 203 and by means of a pump vacuum 229 connected through a pipe 228 is produced a vacuum higher than the vacuum that is produced in chamber 202. Also, the vacuum that is produced in the chamber 204 by means of the vacuum pump 231 which is in connection with chamber 204 through of a pipe 230 is higher than the vacuum that is produced in the camera 203.

Traction devices 206-209 are synchronously driven by a motor 232. Traction devices 214-217 that are provided to remove the material in beam 200 are driven by a engine 233. The traction devices 210 and 213 that are provided in transformation enclosure 205, as well as others traction devices not shown, are also susceptible  of being driven by motors. In particular when the material in Beam resistant to breakage, can be greatly reduced the number of traction devices.

Claims (10)

1. System of passages of passage of material to continuously insert and remove material in beam (200) in a closed enclosure of transformation (205) that presents an atmosphere of transformation, with traction devices (206 - 210, 213 - 218) that pull the material into a beam (200) by passing it through the transformation enclosure (205), and with at least one chamber (201-204); said system of material passage locks being characterized by the fact that the beam material (200) passes through the chambers (201-204) both to go to the transformation enclosure (205) and to return from the enclosure of transformation (205), each of the material passages of the chambers (201-204) presenting a respective lock (220, 221) for the flow of the material and for the return of the material. 2. System of material passage locks according to claim 1, characterized in that the locks (220, 221) have a tubular and elastic connecting element (16, 116) whose cross section is capable of being modified by deformation . 3. System of material passage locks according to claim 2, characterized in that, being distended, the connecting element (16, 116) is a tube of circular cross-section. 4. System of material passage locks according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the cross section of the connecting element (16) is capable of being modified by an adjustable pressure device (30). 5. System of material passage locks according to claim 3, characterized in that the pressure device (30) has a fluid operated pressure cylinder (38). 6. System of material passage locks according to one of claims 2 - 5, characterized in that the connecting element (116) is a flexible tube that is capable of expanding in the peripheral direction and is made of a material that recovers autonomously. 7. System of material passage locks according to one of claims 2 - 6, characterized in that a gas intake device (54) is produced inside the connection element (16, 116) inside of the connecting element (16, 116) a gaseous atmosphere that envelops the material in a beam (12, 112). 8. System of material passage locks according to one of claims 1-7, characterized in that they are arranged one after another several chambers (201-204) through which the beam material (200) is passed to enter and extract in the opposite direction. 9. System of material passage locks according to claim 8, characterized in that in the chambers (201-204) a vacuum is produced which increases stepwise in the direction of the transformation enclosure. 10. System of material passage locks according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that in each chamber (201-204) a traction device (206-209) is arranged to put the material into a beam (200) in the chamber (201-204) and a traction device (214-217) is provided to remove the beam material (200) from an adjacent chamber (201-204) or from the transformation enclosure (205).