KR100613987B1 - Articulated arm for carrying fluid product by 스프링 spring balancer - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention concerns an articulated arm for transferring fluid products comprising two tubular sections (7, 8+2) mutually linked by a pivoted connection (3) with horizontal axis, and a balancing device (4, 10) linked with each of the tubular sections to compensate torque variations about the pivoted connection axis while the two sections are rotating relatively. The invention is characterised in that the balancing device comprises a U-shaped spring (10) with two branches (11, 12) whereof the ends (11A, 12A) are each connected to a respective section.

Description

Articulated Arm For Transferring Fluid Products With U-shaped Spring Balancing}

The present invention relates to the transport of fluid, liquid or gaseous products between a base and a tank loaded in a movable storage tank, for example a lorry or railcar.

The fluid product can take a wide variety of forms, such as but not limited to, for example, petroleum products such as gasoline or liquefied petroleum gas (LPG), or especially chemical products such as acids or solvents.

In practice, the fluid product is primarily liquid, but since it is usually in equilibrium with the gas phase, it is more appropriate to call the fluid product rather than the liquid product, and it is necessary to transport the two liquid and gaseous fluid products separately. have.

Indeed, there are various types of tanks suitable for loading into various types of holding devices (lorry or wagon). In addition, the tank has a connecting flange which is designed to be connected to the liquid product conveying pipe, which flange is arranged in the body of the tank in a wide variety of ways. Finally, it has been proven that mobility maintainers, such as vans or wagons, which actually carry tanks, cannot always be exactly exactly positioned relative to the base when a conveying operation is required.

This is because the connection between the base on the one hand and the connection flange on the movable reservoir on the other hand can only be carried out by a device having a certain deformation. Thus, fluid product conveying devices, commonly referred to as conveying arms or loading / unloading arms, have two possible forms, which include flexible portions having the problem of resistance to aging, or from each other. It is constituted by a series of two or more tubular parts that are articulated about.

Thus, the fluid product delivery arm should be suitably arranged when the transport operation is ready, in order to actually have the free end of the arm (the other end usually permanently connected to the base) opposite the connecting flange of the tank concerned. The work is usually carried out by an operator, who is suitably not forced to apply excessive force. However, with regard to the difficulty of precisely opposing the free end of the arm against the connecting flange in an automated manner, it is difficult to provide automated control of the liquid product delivery arm, which prevents any influence on the operator, which is the arrangement of the arm. It requires a high degree of control of the automation equipment to control the operation, and therefore requires a long time expensive training of the operator. In any case, such automated control is expensive.

In order to prevent the operator from exerting a large force during the manual operation of the liquid product carrying arm, the articulation axis caused by the movement of the masses during the change of the arrangement of the tubular part of the arm relative to the axis ( In practice, various balancing devices have been proposed for at least partially compensating for changes in the horizontal axis.

One aspect of the balancer is to use one or more counterweights that are fixed against the portion of the arm that is to be balanced. While this solution works in general, it has proven to be a problem that actually becomes large.

Another aspect of the equalizer is the use of a spring, such as, for example, a steel torsion spring in the form of a mostly cylindrical spiral, which is attached to or disposed within the rotation joint, which spring is in the form of an Archimedean spiral or a hyperbolic spiral. It may be a spring.

Another aspect of the balancing device is the use of steel compression springs that are often placed in a device known as a balance box or spring box fixed along or along the portion of the arm to be balanced.

Another aspect of the balancer is the use of steel draw springs, which are also often arranged along the arm.

Another configuration of the balancer is to use a nitrogen, pneumatic, hydraulic or electric jack, for example.

Indeed, these various types of equalizers are not independent of each other, and it is proposed to use several types of equalizers in combination on the same transport arm.

These various solutions have inherent advantages and disadvantages. In summary, however, any balancer at the present time is effective, compact, reliable and inexpensive at the same time. Thus, for example, the presence of counterweights (see above) provides an effective equilibrium in a wide range of positions, but is relatively expensive and, in connection with other solutions, especially when the transport arms move in range on both sides of the intermediate idle device ( The behavior of the balancer for the placement of the transport arms arranged on both sides of the intermediate device is not always symmetrical), the balance is generally not accurate as a whole and has been found to pose a risk of malfunction in relation to the moving part. .

It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above mentioned disadvantages.

To this end, two tubular parts connected to each other by a rotary joint with a horizontal axis and an equalizer link-linked to each tubular part to compensate for a change in torque about the axis of the rotary joint during relative rotation between the tubular parts. Wherein said balancing device comprises a U-shaped spring having two leg portions, each of which has an end connected to each portion thereof, wherein the articulated arm for conveying a fluid, liquid, or gaseous product is provided.

In particular, the U-shaped spring can act both when the leg portions are approached or spaced apart from each other, so that the spring has a symmetrical behavior when the tubular portions move relative to each other on both sides of the idle device.

According to a suitable embodiment of the invention,

Each end of the U-shaped spring is articulated on each part with respect to an axis parallel to the axis of the rotary joint,

At least one of the ends of the U-shaped spring comprises a plurality of housings for receiving means for connection to each tubular part,

The two tubular parts are respectively fixed to both sides of the revolving joint by means of attachment brackets formed in such a way that the two legs of the U-shaped spring are arranged in the same plane perpendicular to the axis of the revolving joint,

U-shaped spring is formed of composite material,

U-shaped spring is covered with silicone sheath.

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description by non-limiting examples with reference to the accompanying drawings.

1 is a front view of a portion of an articulated liquid product delivery arm in accordance with the present invention.

2 is a plan view of an articulated liquid product carrying arm.

3 is a side view of the articulated carrying arm.

4 is a side view of the U-shaped spring provided in the articulated arm of FIGS.

1 to 3 partially show an arm for carrying a fluid, liquid or gaseous product, the arm comprising a first tubular portion 1, a second tubular portion 2, a rotary joint 3 having a horizontal axis, and A balancing device 4 connected to each tubular part to compensate for a change in torque (due to gravity) about the axis of the rotary joint during relative rotation between the tubular parts about the axis of rotation.

In the illustrated embodiment, the first tubular part 1 is horizontal and has a 90 ° bend 5 connected to the second rotary joint 6 about the vertical axis. The second rotary joint 6 is in turn connected to the rotary joint 3 with respect to the horizontal axis by a second 90 ° bend 7.

In the configuration shown in the figure, the second tubular part 2 is horizontal and parallel to the first tubular part 1. The second tubular part 2 terminates at its left end at a third 90 ° bend 8 connected to the rotary joint 3.

Thus, depending on the angular position of each of the rotary joints 6, 3, the second tubular portion 2 may have an arbitrary angular orientation of azimuthal and elevation relative to the first tubular portion 1. Within the moving range of.

In fact, the curved part 7 connected to each rotary joint 3, 6 constitutes a tubular part connected to the second tubular part 2 by means of a rotary joint about its horizontal axis.

The balancing device 4 is connected to the respective tubular part 2, 7. Thus, the balancing device is indirectly connected to the first tubular part 1, but since the rotary joint 6 has a vertical axis, no balancing force is required to take account of the change in angular position during the rotation of the rotary joint.

The balancing device comprises a U-shaped spring 10 having two leg portions 11, 12 parallel to each other in the intermediate device of the spring, the ends 11A, 12A of the spring having a tubular portion 2, 7) are each connected to one.

In a suitable manner, each end of the U-shaped spring is articulated to each part about an axis parallel to the axis of the rotary joint. However, as a variant, if the elasticity of the material constituting the spring is allowed, it is also possible to form the end of the spring which is connected to the tubular part so as not to rotate, and to allow deformation of the end only.

Mounting the end of the spring on the respective tubular part by articulation is realized by a pin 13 or 14 passing through the machined housing at the end of the leg portion of the spring 10.

In a suitable manner, for example, at least one of the ends of the leg portions of the U-shaped spring is for example with the pins 13 or 14 described above, in view of allowing control of the elastic recovery realized by the desired spring, for example. It includes a plurality of housings for the receiving of means for connection to the same respective tubular part.

It is better if each end of the leg portion of the spring comprises such a plurality of housings.

As is apparent from FIG. 4 showing the spring 10 in a separated state, each end of the leg portion of the spring includes a block 15 or 16 with a plurality of four cylindrical housings machined therein, The axis is perpendicular to the plane of the leg portions 11, 12.

In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the blocks 15, 16 are attached to the ends of the leg portions of the spring 10, more precisely inside the leg portions. This requires the legs 11 and 12 and the part of the base connected to the legs because a U-shaped part is required to have good elasticity and in particular a long-term resistance to aging when substantial climate change is required. The material constituting the block conforms to the design of the springs different from the material constituting the blocks 15, 16 which are different from the stresses acting appropriately on the U-shaped portion, while the material constituting the blocks 15, 16 In all cases where friction occurs, it is necessary to cope with the stresses associated with particularly good wear resistance since it is arranged on the inner surface of the housing as a whole which is associated with the operation of the balancing device.

Indeed, provided that the properties of the material making up the U-shaped portion are suitable, the housing containing the connecting means such as the pins 13 and 14 can be machined directly to the ends 11A and 12A.

Suitably, if it is useful to secure the blocks 15, 16 at the ends of the U-shaped portions, then additional blocks 17, 18 to secure them by bolts (not shown) passing through the ends 11A, 12A. ) May be provided opposite the blocks 15, 16 with respect to the ends 11A, 12A. As a variant, not shown, the blocks 15 and 16 may form part of a single block surrounding the ends 11A and 12A of the U-shaped part.

One or both of the blocks 15, 16 may be disposed outside of the U-shaped portion.

Two tubular parts 7, 8 + 2 connected by a rotary joint about the horizontal axis 3 are fixed to both sides of the rotary joint, respectively, by attachment brackets 20, 21. The tubular portions are arranged such that the two leg portions 11, 12 of the U-shaped spring are arranged in the same plane perpendicular to the axis of the rotary joint, ie in a plane perpendicular to the plane of FIG. 2 or in a plane parallel to the plane of FIG. 1. It is suitably formed as.

As shown in the figure, in the bracket 20, the bracket has another tubular portion 7 relative to the attachment bracket 20 in which the end with the lug portion 25 is fixed to the tubular portion 8 + 2. And reinforcement portions 20A and 20B having curved portions shown in FIG. 3 facing upward and leftward in a manner eccentric in the direction of. In another attachment bracket 21, the bracket is arranged parallel to the horizontal axis of the rotary joint 3 and comprises two lugs for receiving the end 12A of the U-shaped portion 10 between its ends.

Various devices can be selected for the assembly of the U-shaped springs.

In a variant that is not shown, the bracket 20 is fixed directly to the tubular part 2 and not near the middle of the rotary joint 3.

The connecting means 14, which serve to link the end 11A of the U-shaped portion to the attachment bracket, generally indicated at 20, is suitable for articulation in the end portion 25, and by means of screwing the pin ( A journal 26 suitably containing a connecting means such as 14).

The arrangement of the two lugs of the U-shaped part in the same plane perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the rotary joint 3 has the advantage of preventing the generation of forces other than pure torque against the axis due to the presence of the balancer. have.                 

The U-shaped spring is suitably formed of a composite material. The composite material is, for example, glass or carbon fiber coated with resin and placed in a forming tool (mould) to obtain the final U shape during stoving. After the drying step, the spring is formed into a final shape that includes deflashing, finishing, drilling, and any final silicon sheath (or other commercial demand). Finally, bolt the stainless steel blocks (15, 16, 17, 18).

The U-shaped springs are suitably coated with a silicone sheath that can effectively protect the materials that make up the U-shaped portion from various external attacks.

It has been found that the use of a spring formed of a particularly composite material of the type described above can bear the equilibrium moment of the liquid product transport arm for a wide range of vans or wagons, or even a few daNn to 230 daNn or more. Thus, the use of a spring according to the present invention substantially improves the ergonomic work station of an operator who imports or unloads a van or freight car carrying a liquid product. Indeed, depending on the conditions and features of the U-shaped springs usable in a given range, it is possible to assemble a plurality of U-shaped springs in parallel using the same joint axis.

Thus, the present invention provides more effective equilibrium than the simple assistance provided by known devices, while at the same time simple, reliable and inexpensive. The balance achieved is indeed very close to the very good balance provided by the counterweight, which causes uncomfortable enlargement during operation as described above.

In the drawings, the balancer according to the invention is shown on an enlarged scale. However, it should be noted that with respect to the entire liquid product delivery arm, which may include multiple parts and only parts are shown in FIGS. 1-3, the present invention may provide a device that is smaller than the known solution.

By fastening, the balancing device according to the invention does not provide additional loads on the parts to be balanced as compared to the spring box.

The equilibrium achieved by the device according to the invention acts in the same way depending on whether the tubular part 2 is directed downward and upward at the same angle, thus providing symmetry of operation.

The balancer described above allows a range of up and down 20 ° movement relative to the horizontal reference position, with the arm balance less than 5 kg relative to the absolute value.

First of all, when producing a spring from a composite material, the weight of the spring is less than all known equilibrium systems.

In terms of safety, the spring is reduced below the intrinsic weight at which the arm is recorded during the test, and does not break even when a large additional load is applied to the arm, and the spring may degrade, but it does not suddenly reduce the load. Do not. Suitably, a stop can be provided to limit the access (distance between the leg portions) of the leg portion of the U-shaped portion. In the distance between the leg portions, the restriction may be achieved by a cable fixed to the leg portion.

The fastening of the device of the invention is performed simply and does not require any particular tool.                 

With a number of housings for the introduction of pins (or other fastening means), the balance can be easily controlled, so that a relatively small range of springs can ensure the balance of a wide range of carrying arms.

The device described above has proven to be very insensitive to typical climate temperature changes. In addition, due to its design (particularly due to the complex nature of the U-shaped portion), it is not very sensitive to ultraviolet rays.

By simple design, the balancer of the present invention reduces the need for extra parts.

Claims (12)

Two tubular parts 7, 8 + 2 connected to each other by a rotary joint 3 about a horizontal axis and each to compensate for a change in torque about the axis of the rotary joint during relative rotation between the tubular parts. In an articulated arm for carrying a fluid, liquid or gaseous product comprising an equalizer (4,10) linked to a tubular portion of The balancing device comprises a U-shaped spring 10 having two leg portions 11, 12, wherein the end portions 11A, 12A of the leg portions are linked to respective portions, respectively. Or articulated arm for transporting gas products. The articulated arm of claim 1 wherein each end of the U-shaped spring is articulated on the respective portion about an axis parallel to the axis of the rotary joint. 3. A housing as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one of the ends of the U-shaped spring comprises a plurality of housings (15, 16) for receiving connection means (13, 14) for connection to the respective tubular parts. Articulated arm characterized in that. 4. The articulated arm of claim 3 wherein each end of the leg portion of the U-shaped spring includes a plurality of housings for receiving the connecting means for connection to the respective tubular portion. 3. The mounting bracket according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the two tubular portions are formed in such a way that the two leg portions 11, 12 of the U-shaped spring are arranged in the same plane perpendicular to the axis of the rotary joint. Articulated arm, characterized in that fixed to both sides of the rotary joint by 20,21, respectively. The articulated arm according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the U-shaped spring (10) is formed of a composite material. 7. The articulated arm according to claim 6, wherein the U-shaped spring (10) is covered with a silicone sheath. 4. The mounting bracket (20, 21) according to claim 3, wherein the two tubular portions are formed in such a way that the two leg portions (11, 12) of the U-shaped spring are arranged in the same plane perpendicular to the axis of the rotary joint. Articulated arm characterized in that which is respectively fixed to both sides of the rotary joint by. 5. The mounting bracket (20, 21) according to claim 4, wherein the two tubular portions are formed in such a way that the two leg portions (11, 12) of the U-shaped spring are arranged in the same plane perpendicular to the axis of the rotary joint. Articulated arm characterized in that which is respectively fixed to both sides of the rotary joint by. 4. The articulated arm according to claim 3, wherein the U-shaped spring (10) is formed of a composite material. 5. The articulated arm according to claim 4, wherein the U-shaped spring (10) is formed of a composite material. 6. The articulated arm according to claim 5, wherein the U-shaped spring (10) is formed of a composite material.

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