WO2009127778A1

WO2009127778A1 - Channel element in material conveyor piping

Info

Publication number: WO2009127778A1
Application number: PCT/FI2009/050239
Authority: WO
Inventors: Göran Sundholm
Original assignee: Maricap Oy
Priority date: 2008-04-15
Filing date: 2009-04-01
Publication date: 2009-10-22
Also published as: FI20085312A0; FI20085312L; TW201006753A

Abstract

A channel element in material conveyor piping, said element comprising a wall and at least two junctions for connecting the channel element to the piping, as well as a channel (K) left inside the wall. The wall of the channel element (1) is made of plate elements (2, 2', 3, 4) and interconnected as a box-type structure; and in order to improve wear resistance, at least one wall (3) of the channel element (1, 20, 40), or part of said wall, is arranged to be thicker and/or made of a better wear resistant material than at least one other wall in the material conveyor piping.

Description

CHANNEL ELEMENT IN MATERIAL CONVEYOR PIPING

Background of invention

The invention relates to a channel element in material conveyor piping according to the preamble of claim 1.

In general, the invention relates to material conveying pipes, preferably to conveyor pipings in pneumatic material conveying systems, such as pneumatic waste material conveying systems.

In connection with the conveyor pipes of pneumatic material conveying systems, particularly in the bend parts of pipings or pipe elbows and intersections, wearing of the pipe wall occurs. This can be a problem, particularly when the material to be conveyed comprises wall erosive material, such as glass. The wearing is typically directed unevenly in such locations of the piping where the material, for example owing to gravity or centrifugal force, has a more erosive effect on the piping wall than in other spots of the piping.

In the prior art, when conveying erosive material, it has been attempted to form the whole pipe element in the wearing part of a thicker material, or material that is more wear-resistant. The pipe diameters used in a material conveying system, particularly in a pneumatic waste conveying system, are fairly large, typically with a diameter of the order of 400 mm, for example; and with a wall thickness of for example 25 mm, a channel element, such as a bend element or an intersection element, would become extremely heavy. In addition, the manufacturing of said element, for instance its bending to various shapes, particularly in a three- dimensional coordinate system, is difficult. The piping in a material conveying system typically includes various bend and intersection points, and therefore the channel element must be suited to different shapes, which means that it must be adapted to a flexible manufacturing process. In addition, the circulation technique in conveyor piping sets specific requirements for the shaping of the bend or intersection points.

The object of the present invention is to avoid the drawbacks of the prior art and to realize a novel channel element, where wear resistance is achieved, as well as suitability to flexible manufacturing, and which is shaped in a circulation technically desired way.

Brief description of invention

The invention is based on an idea where a channel element is formed of plate elements by cutting and joining together in order to form a box-type structure where separate walls can have different thicknesses and/or shapes.

When defined more precisely, a channel element according to the invention is characterized by what is set forth in claim 1.

Further, a channel element according to the invention is also characterized by what is set forth in claims 2 - 11.

The arrangement according to the invention has several remarkable advantages. The wear resistance of a channel element can be remarkably improved by making at least part of the channel element wall of a better wear resistant material, or by making the wall of a thicker material. It also is possible that only part of the channel element wall is made of a better wear resistant material. Wall elements can be cut, for example laser cut, easily and dimensionally accurately into various different shapes and bent, typically in a two-dimensional coordinate system, in which case the bending is easy. Separate wall elements are easily interconnected to form a channel element, for example by welding. By applying cutting and bending into shape, a box-type channel element can be flexibly adjusted to form even fairly complex bend and intersection elements for a conveyor piping. Moreover, the channel element junctions can be formed so that the box-type bend and/or intersection elements can be used together with pipe elements with a circular cross-section. Now it is possible to realize complex pipings, where the employed pipe elements are mainly straight and circular in cross-section, but also at least partly box-type channel elements, i.e. bend and/or intersection elements. A channel element according to the invention is very well suited to be used in connection with pneumatic material conveying systems, particularly in material conveyor pipings for conveying such material that contains ingredients erosive for the piping. Brief description of drawings

In the specification below, the invention is described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings, where

Figure 1 illustrates a channel element according to an embodiment of the invention,

Figure 2 illustrates a cross-section of the channel element of Figure 1 , viewed as enlarged,

Figure 3 illustrates another embodiment of the channel element according to the invention,

Figure 4 illustrates a cross-section of the channel element of Figure 3, viewed as enlarged,

Figure 5 illustrates a third embodiment of the channel element according to the invention,

Figure 6 illustrates a cross-section of the channel element of Figure 5, viewed as enlarged, and

Figure 7 illustrates yet another channel element according to the invention.

Detailed description of invention

Figure 1 and Figure 2 illustrate an embodiment of a channel element according to the invention, where the channel element 1 is a bend element, i.e. a so-called pipe elbow. The wall of the channel element wall is made of plate elements 2, 2', 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14. In the drawing, the side wall elements 2, 2' are mainly planar elements cut into shape. The side wall elements 2, 2' are spaced apart and interconnected by an outer bend section 3 and an inner bend section 4. The walls encase a channel K. The ends of the channel element include junctions 5, 6, provided with flange elements 5', 6'. In the embodiment of the drawing, the flange elements 5', 6' of the junctions 5, 6 are annular in shape. The cross-sectional shape of the channel element in a direction perpendicular to the path of the medium flowing in the channel K is rectangular in the middle region of the channel element. In the embodiment of Figure 1 , the end regions of the channel element include a reduction zone provided with wedge-shaped plate elements 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 , 12, 13, 14, which are arranged in between the side wall elements 2, 2' and the outer bend section 3, as well as in between the inner bend section 4 and the flange element of the junction 5, 6. In the embodiment of Figure 1 , the cross- sectional shape of the channel element in the vicinity of the junctions 5, 6 in the reduction zone is octagonal. According to an embodiment of the invention, at the junction 5, 6, the channel element can be connected to a regular pipeline with a circular cross-section, for example by means of a flange element arranged in the pipeline to the flange element 5', 6' of the channel element.

In the embodiment according to Figure 1 , the outer bend section 3 is a cut plate element, which also is bent to a desired curved shape. The inner bend section 4 is a cut plate element, and with respect to the outer bend section 3, it is bent to a curved shape with a shorter radius. In the bending of the curved sections 3, 4, the bending radius can be constant or variable. By suitably shaping the channel element walls 2, 2', 3, 4, the intermediate agent channel K located within the range of said walls 2, 2', 3, 4, can be formed in a desired shape that is circulation technically advantageous. Moreover, when transferring erosive material in the conveyor piping, the separate wall elements 2, 2', 3, 4 can be made so that they have mutually different wear resistances. In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, it is assumed that the outer bend section 3 is, for example owing to centrifugal force, conveyed material and friction, subjected to the highest strain with respect to wear, and therefore its wall thickness Si is made larger than the wall thickness S2 of the inner bend section 4. Depending on the application in question and on the curve shape, the wall elements 2, 2', 3, 4 can be easily formed to have a desired shape and wear resistance. The material of the wall elements 2, 2', 3, and 4 can be selected according to the target of usage. Typically the material is steel, particularly stainless or acid-proof steel. In the embodiment of the drawing, the channel element forms, with respect to the inlet and outlet directions, an angle α (alpha), which in the embodiment of the drawing is 90 degrees. Thus the channel element can be used for altering the orientation of the piping by 90 degrees. By means of a channel element according to an embodiment of the invention, it is possible to form curves of desired sizes, so that the angle α (alpha) typically varies within the range 10 - 180 degrees, advantageously 20 - 170 degrees, and preferably 45 - 135 degrees. Apart from a two-dimensional (x-y coordinate system) level, the curve can also be oriented on a three-dimensional (x-y-z coordinate system) level. The walls are made of plate elements that are interconnected for instance by welding. In Figurei , the junctions between the plate elements, and also the junctions between the plate elements and the flange elements, are generally designated by the reference w. For the sake of clarity, the junction designations are left out of the rest of the drawings, and it is assumed that they are obvious for a man skilled in the art on the basis of Figure 1. Wall thicknesses can vary according to the requirements of the embodiment in question. For instance, let us assume that the wall thickness

of the outer bend section in Figure 1 is larger than the wall thickness S2 of the inner bend section. As for the wall thickness of the inner bend section, it is advantageously larger than the wall thickness of the side walls. According to an embodiment, the wall thickness Si of the outer bend section can be for example 25 mm, in which case the wall thickness S2 of the inner bend section is for example 20 mm, while the thickness of the side walls is for example 12 mm. The measures can vary according to the embodiment and the employed material.

Figures 3 and 4 illustrate another embodiment of the channel element 20 according to the invention. Here the channel element 20 forms a piping junction. The channel element 20 comprises three junctions 30, 31 , and 32, at which the channel element 20 can be connected to the conveyor piping. In the embodiment of the drawing, the channel element 20 comprises a straight channel section Ki, with junctions 31 and 32 at the opposite ends thereof. To the straight channel section, there is connected, at the angle of attack β (beta), a section K₂ of the inlet channel, which in the embodiment of the drawing is a curved channel section, at least for part of the length thereof. The inlet channel section K₂ forms an angle α (alpha) in between the inlet direction and the outlet direction. Thus the outlet direction forms an angle of attack β (beta) with the straight channel section Ki. The angle of attack β (beta) can vary according to the embodiment in question. Typically it is of the order 10 - 90 degrees, advantageously 20 - 60 degrees, and preferably 30 - 45 degrees. The channel element 20 comprises a shape-cut side wall section 21 , and at a distance thereof, another side wall section 24, said side wall sections also forming part of the wall of the straight channel section Ki, so that the side wall sections 21 , 24 extend over the junction, from the side of the inlet channel section K₂ to the side of the straight channel section Ki. The inlet channel section K₂ includes an outer bend section 22 and an inner bend section 23, which are interconnected by the bottom elements 36 and 37 of the wall of the straight channel section. The first bottom element 36 of the wall of the straight pipe section can be formed of one and the same piece as the outer bend section 22 of the inlet channel, or it can be connected thereto for instance by welding. The inner bend section 23 of the inlet channel K₂ can be formed of one and the same piece as the second bottom element 37 of the straight channel section, or it can be connected thereto for example by welding. In cross-section, the cover element 25 of the wall Ki of the straight channel section is formed as part of the periphery of a circle, or as a polygonal plate profile, such as an upturned U or V profile. Typically the profile comprises at least two bending points in the longitudinal direction of the straight channel section. The number of the bending points can be even higher, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6, or even higher than these. In the drawing, the wall thickness S₄ of the cover element 25 is made larger than the wall thickness of the bottom element 36, 37. The wall thickness S3 of the outer bend section 22 in the inlet channel section K₂ is made to be larger than the wall thickness S₅ of the inner bend section 23.

Figures 5 and 6 illustrate yet another embodiment of the channel element 40, where the inlet channel section K₂ connected to the straight channel section Ki also is straight. In Figures 5 and 6, the channel element 40 is a y-joint, where to the straight channel section Ki there is connected, at the angle of attack β (beta), the inlet channel section K₂. In the embodiment of the drawing, the walls of the straight channel section Ki are made of a cover wall 41 and a bottom wall 43, said bottom wall being provided with an aperture 44 for the inlet channel K₂. Thus the wall 42 of the inlet channel K₂ is connected for instance by welding to the bottom wall 43 of the straight channel section Ki. The inlet channel wall 42 is made of side wall sections 45, 46 and of a cover element 48, as well as of a bottom element 47. In between the side wall elements and the cover and bottom elements, at the side of the junction 30, there are arranged wedge-shaped wall elements 49, 50, 51 , 52. In cross-section, the cover element of the straight channel section is formed as part of the periphery of a circle, or, as in the embodiment of the drawing, as a polygonal plate profile, such as an upturned U or V profile. Typically the profile comprises at least two bending points in the longitudinal direction of the straight channel section. The number of the bending points can be even higher, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or even higher than these. In cross-section, the bottom element of the straight channel element is formed as part of the periphery of a circle, or, as in the embodiment of the drawing, as a polygonal plate profile, such as a U or V profile. Typically the profile comprises at least two bending points in the longitudinal direction of the straight channel section. The number of the bending points can be even higher, for example 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or even higher than these. In the embodiment of the drawing, the bottom element 43 and the cover element 44 each form approximately half of the periphery of a circle or a polygon, so that they together form the wall encasing the channel Ki.

Figure 7 illustrates yet another embodiment according to the invention, where the channel element walls 60, 60' are, already in the manufacturing step of the elements, i.e. in the cutting step, provided with lifting/fastening lugs 62, 63. The channel element according to the invention can also be provided with various check apertures or check doors, which are easily formed in the structure according to the invention, for example already in the cutting step of the plate elements.

Thus the invention relates to a channel element in a material conveyor piping, said channel element comprising a wall and at least two junctions for connecting the channel element to the piping, as well as a channel K left inside the wall. The wall

2, 2', 3, 4 of the channel element 1 is made of plate elements and interconnected as a box-type structure. In order to improve wear resistance, at least one wall 3 of the channel element 1 , 20, 40, or part of said wall, is arranged so that it has a larger thickness Si than at least one other wall in the conveyor piping, and/or so that it is made of a material that has better wear resistance than at least one other wall in the conveyor piping.

That wall in the channel element 1 , 20, 40 that is subjected to the highest strain, or part of said wall, has a larger thickness and/or is made of a wear-resistant material.

According to a preferred embodiment, the channel K of the channel element 1 forms a bend, so that the wall element on the side of the outer curve in the channel K is at least partly made thicker and/or better wear resistant than at least one other wall.

According to a preferred embodiment, the wall thickness in the bottom wall of the channel element is at least partly made thicker and/or better wear resistant than at least one other wall. According to yet another embodiment, the channel element 20, 40 is an intersection element, and in the vicinity of the junction thereof, at least one wall is at least partly made thicker and/or better wear resistant than at least one other wall.

According to a preferred embodiment, the channel element 1 , 20, 40 is made rectangular or polygonal in cross-section.

According to yet another embodiment, the shape and/or cross-section of the channel element 1 , 20, 40 is formed to be circulation technically advantageous.

According to an embodiment, the channel element 1 , 20, 40, particularly the channel K, is formed in shape and/or in cross-section to be circulation technically advantageous, so that the flow rate remains the same.

According to a preferred embodiment, the shape and/or cross-section of the channel element 1 , 20, 40 is formed to be circulation technically advantageous, so that the cross-sectional flow area in the channel K remains constant.

According to yet another embodiment, at least one wall of the channel element is made by cutting, in which case the wall is in the cutting step provided with fastening and/or lifting lugs 62, 63. The plate elements can be cut with dimensional accuracy for example by laser cutting or waterjet cutting. Thermal cutting methods can also be suited to dimensionally accurate cutting. The required wall thicknesses set restrictions to the employed cutting method.

According to a typical embodiment, the channel element 1 , 20, 40 is mainly made of metal.

According to a preferred embodiment, the channel element 1 , 20, 40 is mainly made of stainless or acid-proof steel.

It is obvious for a man skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted to the above described embodiments, but it can be varied within the scope of the appended claims. When necessary, the characterizing features possibly connected to other characterizing features in the specification can also be applied separately.

Claims

1. A channel element in a material conveyor piping (1 ), comprising a wall and at least two junctions (5, 6) for connecting the channel element to the piping, as well as a channel (K) left inside the wall, characterized in that the wall of the channel element (1 ) is formed of plate elements (2, 2', 3, 4) and interconnected as a box- type structure; that in order to improve wear resistance, at least one wall (3) of the channel element (1 , 20, 40), or part of said wall, is arranged so that it has a larger thickness (si) than at least one other wall in the conveyor piping, and/or so that it is made of a material that has better wear resistance than at least one other wall in the conveyor piping.

2. A channel element according to claim 1 , characterized in that that wall of the channel element that is subjected to the highest strain, or part of said wall, has a larger thickness and/or is made of a wear-resistant material.

3. A channel element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the material channel (K) in the channel element forms a bend, so that the wall element of the channel (K) that is located on the side of the outer curve is at least partly made thicker and/or better wear resistant than one other wall.

4. A channel element according to any of the claims 1 - 3, characterized in that the bottom wall of the channel element is at least partly made thicker and/or better wear resistant than one other wall.

5. A channel element according to any of the claims 1 - 4, characterized in that the channel element (20, 40) is an intersection element, and that in the vicinity of the junction of said element, at least one wall is at least partly made thicker and/or better wear resistant than at least one other wall.

6. A channel element according to any of the claims 1 - 5, characterized in that the channel element (1 , 20, 40) is in cross-section formed rectangular or polygonal.

7. A channel element according to any of the claims 1 - 6, characterized in that the channel element is formed to be circulation technically advantageous in shape and/or in cross-section.

8. A channel element according to any of the claims 1 - 7, characterized in that the channel element (1 , 20, 40) is formed to be circulation technically advantageous in shape and/or in cross-section, so that the material flow rate in the channel (K) remains the same.

9. A channel element according to any of the claims 1 - 8, characterized in that the channel element (1 , 20, 40) is formed to be circulation technically advantageous in shape and/or in cross-section, so that the cross-sectional flow area in the channel (K) remains constant.

10. A channel element according to any of the claims 1 - 9, characterized in that at least one wall of the channel element (1 ) is made by cutting, so that the wall is in the cutting step provided with fastening and/or lifting lugs (62, 63).

1 1 . A channel element according to any of the claims 1 - 10, characterized in that the channel element is mainly made of metal.

12. A channel element according to any of the claims 1 - 1 1 , characterized in that the channel element is mainly made of stainless or acid-proof steel.