Classifications

• • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
  • B67—OPENING, CLOSING OR CLEANING BOTTLES, JARS OR SIMILAR CONTAINERS; LIQUID HANDLING
  • B67D—DISPENSING, DELIVERING OR TRANSFERRING LIQUIDS, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
  • B67D7/00—Apparatus or devices for transferring liquids from bulk storage containers or reservoirs into vehicles or into portable containers, e.g. for retail sale purposes
  • B67D7/06—Details or accessories
  • B67D7/78—Arrangements of storage tanks, reservoirs or pipe-lines

Definitions

• the invention relates to a device for selectively connecting at least one first stationary line for fluids to a plurality of second stationary lines with the aid of a movable line connection and a coupling arrangement.
• the task is to select a first number of stationary lines with a number of second stationary lines. to connect wisely.
• the connection should be such that any first lines can be connected to any second lines, if possible also overlapping in time. Conventionally, this is done with the help of connecting hoses, articulated arms, etc., which are connected to the ends of the first and second lines.
• the connecting lines are often firmly coupled to the first or the second lines, while they can optionally be coupled to any second or first lines.
• the connection itself is established by operating personnel who, in the desired manner, couples the coupling part at the free end of a connecting line to the coupling part of a stationary line. Such an arrangement has several disadvantages.
• the handling of the connecting hoses is extremely exhausting, especially with larger nominal sizes. It can also be dangerous for the operator if a coupling manufactured by him unintentionally separates. It can be hit by the connecting hose set in motion by recoil and suffer injuries. He can also come into contact with the fluid, which poses the greatest dangers, particularly in the case of caustic, toxic or similarly dangerous substances.
• a distribution device has already become known in which a plurality of male coupling parts are arranged in a stationary manner in such a way that adjacent stationary coupling parts each have the same distance from one another and their end faces lie in one plane and in which two mother coupling parts with coupling ring segments at the ends of one 180 ° distributor pipe bend are attached and have a distance from each other that corresponds to the distance between adjacent stationary male coupling parts (DE-PS 32 10 558).
• a distribution device normally only two lines can be connected to each other. It is also a prerequisite that the ends of the line are each approximately in one Level.
• the known distribution device also requires manipulation by auxiliary personnel, albeit simplified.
• a distribution device has also become known from the cited document, in which a plurality of stationary male coupling parts are arranged on a circular arc, the end faces of which lie in a plane in which a further coupling part is arranged in a stationary manner in the center of the circle, which is constantly arranged with one Another coupling part is rotatably coupled, which is arranged at the end of a 180 pipe bend, with a mother coupling part being attached to the other free end of the pipe bend, which can optionally be connected to one of the stationary male coupling parts.
• a first line is selectively connected to one of several second lines. An expansion to the effect that a plurality of first lines can optionally be connected to a number of second lines is not possible.
• Both of the last-mentioned known distribution devices use through-fillings which have end faces which lie flush and sealingly against one another, the mother coupling part having a coupling ring segment which extends only over an arc length of 180 or extends less and has a radial flange portion which engages behind a radial retaining edge of the male coupling part.
• the invention is based on the object of creating a continuously piggable device for selectively connecting at least one first stationary line for fluid to a multiplicity of second stationary lines with the aid of a movable line connection which enables a simple and quick line connection without additional manipulation effort and which is also suitable for the automatic production of line connections.
• first and second lines each have a movable connecting line which contains a connecting head at the free end
• the connecting heads of the first lines with the aid of a first guide along parallel first axes and the connecting heads of the second Lines are guided with the aid of a second guide along parallel second axes which run perpendicular to the first axes
• the connecting heads have angled end pieces, the ends of which hold mother coupling parts or father coupling parts which have end faces which all lie approximately in a coupling plane
• the male coupling parts have a circular radial retaining edge
• the female coupling parts have a coupling ring segment with a radial flange section which only extends over an arc length of 180 or less and which engages behind the retaining edge of the male coupling part when the end faces interacting coupling parts lie sealingly against each other.
• a movable connecting line is connected to each stationary line, the head of which can be moved along a straight axis with the aid of a guide. Since the axes of the first and second connecting heads are perpendicular to one another, there is a coupling point or a coupling position in each case for a first and a second connecting line or its coupling part, in which the end faces of the coupling parts lie against one another. Therefore, if the connection heads of the assigned connection line are moved by the amount that their common connection point has from the starting line in the case of a desired line connection, both connection heads or their coupling parts automatically come into alignment.
• the mother coupling part has a coupling ring segment which is connected to a holding edge of the father coupling part interacts. It goes without saying that the ring segment must be arranged in such a way that it can grip the retaining edge when the coupling parts move together in directions offset by 90 °.
• the coupling positions lie on the nodes of a grid or the intersections of a matrix. If the connection heads are designed in such a way that the coupling end faces are at a sufficient distance from their guidance, any number of connections can be made without the connection heads interfering with one another. i
• the distribution device according to the invention has a number of significant advantages.
• the individual coupling positions or points can be moved very closely together, so that the overall space requirement is extremely low. Furthermore, the coupling area need not be walked on if the connecting lines are adjusted automatically or by means of power drives. Hazards to operators are therefore eliminated.
• the distribution device according to the invention is suitable for the complete automatic production of line connections. If the corresponding lines are correctly controlled, a correct coupling will automatically result. The production of incorrect line connections is excluded in this respect. Additional monitoring measures are not necessary.
• a particularly space-saving embodiment of the invention provides that the first and second axes each lie in one plane. Furthermore, the first and second axes are preferably at the same distance from one another. The distance between the axes is determined by the minimum abs on the guides.
• the connecting lines are hoses which have a loop between the assigned stationary line and the connecting head when the connecting head is not in the fully extended position.
• the connecting head itself must cooperate with the guide so that the associated coupling part is guided with its end face in the coupling plane.
• the hose loop ensures that there is sufficient hose available so that all coupling positions can be approached.
• the connecting lines have telescopic tubes. With smaller nominal widths, the telescopic tubes can be guided through the tubes themselves if the extension of the extended telescopic tube part is not too large. In the case of larger overhangs or larger nominal widths, the connecting head is expediently guided in order to guide the end faces of the coupling parts along the coupling plane.
• articulated pipe connections can also be used to make the connection heads movable.
• a lock is provided in the respective coupling positions, which prevents the coupling parts from being moved apart. It is not necessary to lock the coupling parts immediately.
• a drive device is coupled to the connection heads, which is connected to a control device such that each connection head can be moved along its adjusting axis to the respective coupling points.
• the control device controls the respective drive devices in such a way that the connecting heads are moved in cycles, the greatest cycle length in each case corresponding to the distance between two coupling points.
• the control device can carry out mechanical or electronic clocking.
• The. special design of male and female coupling parts means that if possible one of the two coupling parts first reaches the coupling position. In one embodiment of the invention, the control device brings the male coupling parts into the coupling position before the assigned female coupling part.
• first and second guides have parallel rails on which the connecting heads are guided in a sliding or rolling manner.
• first and second guides can also be formed by parallel roller tracks, on which the connecting heads are guided in a rolling manner.
• FIG 1 shows an extremely schematic representation of the distribution device according to the invention.
• FIG. 2 also shows, very schematically, a connecting hose for a distribution device according to the invention.
• FIG. 3 shows a section through the representation according to FIG. 1 along line 3-3, but with additional structural details. - 11 -
• FIG. 4 shows a section through the representation according to FIG. 3 along the line 4-4.
• FIG. 1 shows a first group of telescopic tubes 10 with a stationary outer tube 11 and a movable inner tube 12.
• the movable tubes 12 are curved to a 90 ° bend at the free end and have a coupling part 13. It is assumed that the telescopic tubes 12 are below the drawing plane. Then there are end faces of the coupling parts 13 in the plane of the drawing. All telescopic tubes 12 can be adjusted in the direction of the Y axis. The adjusting device is not shown.
• a second group of telescopic tube arrangements 14 has fixed tubes 15 and movable tubes 16.
• the fixed tubes 15, like the fixed tubes 11, are each connected to a stationary line in a manner not shown.
• the movable tubes 16 are curved at the ends in a 90 arc. It should be taken that the pipes 16 are above the drawing plane, then end faces of coupling parts 17 are located at the ends of the pipes 16 in the drawing plane.
• the movable tubes 16 are adjustable in the X direction.
• FIG. 1 From the grid shown in dashed lines in Fig. 1 it can be seen that two movable tubes 12, 16 can be coupled at one point by means of their coupling parts 13, 17. This is shown by way of example in FIG. 1 for point 18.
• the type of guidance of the movable tubes 12, 16 and the structure of the coupling parts 13, 17 ' is explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
• the movable pipes 12, 16 are provided with a 90 pipe bend 20, 21.
• the mother coupling part 17, which has a metallic end face 22, is welded to the end of the pipe bend 21, and the father coupling part 13 is welded to the end of the pipe bend 20, which has a metallic end face 23, into which a seal 24 is inserted. In the coupled position, the end faces 22, 23 lie against one another in a sealing manner.
• the mother coupling part 17 is provided on the circumference with an annular groove 25, and the male coupling part 13 with a circumferential ring groove 26.
• An approximately U-shaped retaining ring 27 in cross-section extends slightly less than 180 ° around the mother coupling part, as can be seen in FIG. 4, and sits with one leg in the annular groove 25.
• the other leg of the retaining ring engages 27 into the groove 26, the groove wall closest to the nut coupling part 17 constituting a retaining edge. If the male coupling part 13 has already reached the position 18 shown in FIG. 1, the female coupling part can connect with the male coupling part by means of the retaining ring 27 when it is moved along the X axis.
• the overall ring-shaped father coupling part 13 is surrounded by a cross-sectionally rectangular ring 28 which is attached to the coupling part.
• a rectangular guide piece 29 is attached to the underside of coupling part 13 and ring 28, which has parallel guide grooves 30, 31 in cross section on parallel opposite sides, into which guide rails 32, 33 engage.
• the guide rails are suspended from rods 35. It is clear that two guide rails 32, 33 belong to each connecting head or movable tube 12 of the Y axis.
• the connecting part 39 is connected to the retaining ring 27 of the mother coupling part 17.
• the ring 36 is in turn connected via four screws 40 to a rectangular guide piece 41 which, like the guide piece 29, has guide grooves on opposite sides for engaging the guide rails 42, 43 (see Fig. 4).
• the guide rails 42, 43 are suspended on the same rods 35. There are therefore two guide rails 42, 43 for the X direction, for a movable tube 16 and a connecting head . 21 required.
• a chain 46 is attached to a holder 44, which is fastened on the one hand on the guide piece 41 at 45 and on the other hand at a distant fixed point, which can be brought into engagement with a chain wheel (not shown).
• the chain wheel is driven by a suitable drive motor.
• a rotation of the chain wheel leads to a translatory movement of the chain 46 and thus to a movement of the mother coupling cable 17 in the X direction.
• a corresponding drive is provided for the connector 20.
• a control device can be designed so that the coupling positions shown in FIG. 1 for the individual telescopic tubes 10, 14 are achieved.
• the male coupling part 13 is preferably first moved into position before the female coupling part 17 follows.
• the coupling ring 27 therefore interacts with the male coupling part 13 after the latter has already reached its end position.
• the line connection is formed by a hose.
• a hose 50 is shown, which is provided at the free end with a 90 ° bend 51, which holds, for example, a nut coupling part 52 at its free end, which is movable in the coupling plane 53 in the X direction.
• the guidance required for this can be designed as explained with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4.
• the hose 15 is guided over a loose roller 53 and forms a loop 54 behind it. At the other end, the hose is connected to a stationary line 55.
• a drive device not shown, moves the connecting head 51 into the desired coupling position.
• hose 56 denotes a male coupling part on the 90 ° elbow 57, which is connected to a hose 58 - corresponding to hose 50.
• a large number of such connecting hoses replaces the telescopic tube arrangement according to FIG. 1 in the X and Y directions.
• Articulated arms can also be used instead of the hoses are used which, for example, arranged like scissors, allow movement of the coupling parts.
• the distributor arrangement shown can be pigged throughout.
• distributor arrangements of the type shown can be controlled completely automatically according to a predetermined program. A separate monitoring for correct connections is not necessary. Correctly controlled connecting lines cannot cause incorrect couplings.

Landscapes

• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
• Quick-Acting Or Multi-Walled Pipe Joints (AREA)

Priority Applications (3)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=6790358

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (2)

Cited By (1)

Citations (4)

• 1986
  • 1986-07-31 WO PCT/DE1986/000308 patent/WO1988000924A1/de unknown
  • 1986-07-31 JP JP50434386A patent/JPH0681997B2/ja not_active Expired - Lifetime

Patent Citations (4)

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