WO2023062148A1

WO2023062148A1 - Multipart frame for a ceramic transporting tray

Info

Publication number: WO2023062148A1
Application number: PCT/EP2022/078558
Authority: WO
Inventors: Denis PFÜTZE; Hannes NEUBERT; Joachim GROFFIK; Reiner Heublein
Original assignee: Saint-Gobain Industriekeramik Rödental GmbH
Priority date: 2021-10-13
Filing date: 2022-10-13
Publication date: 2023-04-20

Abstract

The invention relates to a ceramic frame (1) for a transporting tray for transporting and heating chemical substances, which is made up of at least two elongated frame parts (2), which are connected to one another at corner regions (3) of the frame (1) by plug-in connections, wherein each frame part (2) has at one end (7) at least one projecting tenon (9) and has at the other end (8) at least one mortise (11), wherein, to form a plug-in connection, the tenon (9) of one frame part (2) is inserted into the mortise (11) of another frame part (2), and wherein the tenon (9) and the frame part (2) having the mortise (11) together form a pin receptacle (13) for a ceramic pin (12) in such a way that the plug-in connection is secured against loosening by the pin (12) received in the pin receptacle (13).

Description

Multi-part frame for ceramic transport tray

The present invention is in the technical field of thermal conversion of chemical substances in a furnace and relates to a multi-part frame for a ceramic transport vat that is suitable for storing, transporting and heating chemical substances or products containing chemical substances. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a frame.

Large-scale applications are known in which chemical substances are thermally converted in a furnace, with ceramic transport troughs being used for storing, transporting and heating the chemical substances. For example, in the production of cathode materials for lithium-ion batteries, the respective starting materials are transported through a continuous furnace in a ceramic transport tank and heated to a temperature of several 100 °C, which results in a chemical conversion to the desired product. Another example is the thermal regeneration of diesel particulate filters, which reduce the carbonaceous fine dust particles present in the exhaust gas from diesel engines. Such fine dust particles have long been considered harmful to health, since they are not soot particles made of pure carbon, but rather agglomerations of soot particles with other substances that are harmful to health. The collected particulates are regularly burned, leaving ash (soot) that accumulates over time and clogs the diesel particulate filter. After a certain mileage and depending on the specific use of the vehicle, the diesel particulate filter must therefore undergo thermal regeneration, in which the soot is burned off at temperatures of around 500°C. The diesel particle filters are heated in a ceramic transport pan in an oven for a longer period of time.

Practice has shown that ceramic transport trays are subject to considerable corrosion and therefore have to be replaced as often as necessary. In addition to unavoidable wear and tear due to the type of use, the cause for this is often the chemical aggressiveness of the chemical substances thermally converted in the transport trough, which at the high temperatures in the oven Attack the material of the transport tub more intensely. The expenses for the ceramic transport tanks are therefore a not inconsiderable cost factor when chemical substances are to be thermally converted in a furnace.

Ceramic tote pans are typically manufactured by loosely fitting a one-piece frame of ceramic material to a ceramic floor panel. Screwing the frame and base plate with metal screws is not an option, since such a connection cannot cope with the stresses caused by different thermal expansions and corrosion. For many applications in practice, it is sufficient if the frame is placed loosely on the base plate, with the weight of the frame and the frictional connection between the frame and base plate being achieved in this way ensure sufficient stability of the transport trough. A fixed connection between the frame and the base plate, for example by means of a clamp connection or ceramic screws, is also known.

FIG. 5 shows a conventional frame T with a square shape, for example, for a transport trough (not shown). The frame T is designed in one piece and can be divided into four straight frame parts 2', which form an angle of 90° at the respective corner areas 3'. The frame T surrounds a square/rectangular interior 4'. The frame T is made by casting a one-piece blank from a ceramic material such as silicon carbide (SiC) and then firing it in a furnace at a temperature of 500°C - 600°C. As stated above, the fired frame T is then, for example, placed loosely on a base plate made of a ceramic material, whereby the transport trough is formed. The inner area 4' serves to accommodate chemical substances or a product containing chemical substances, which are stored on the floor of the transport trough. For the thermal conversion of the chemical substances, the transport tray is placed in an oven (e.g. continuous oven).

The size of the inner area 4' of the frame T depends on the specific application, it being understood that the inner area 4' must be dimensioned sufficiently large and certain standard dimensions are also specified in the series production of transport tubs. Due to the one-piece design of the frame T, an empty space is created by the inner region 4', which takes up a relatively large amount of space when the frame T is stored and when the ceramic material of the frame T is fired in the furnace. This is very disadvantageous, since on the one hand the storage costs for the Frame 1 'are relatively high, but on the other hand, especially the energy consumption per frame T is quite high, since only a relatively few frame T in the oven place. In addition, the one-piece frame T is difficult to handle during storage and transport due to its relatively large weight and size, which in turn increases the cost of manufacturing the frame T.

DE 202005011631 U1 discloses a graphite component composed of strip-shaped components with connections at the corners that overlap in the vertical direction and are each fixed by a pin made of fiber-reinforced carbon (CFG).

In contrast, the object of the present invention is to improve frames known in the prior art for transport troughs in such a way that the costs of the frames and thus also of the transport troughs are reduced in series production. In addition, the handling of the frames during their production and transport should be easier.

According to the proposal of the invention, these and other objects are achieved by a frame for a transport trough according to the features of the independent patent claim. Advantageous configurations of the invention are specified by the features of the dependent claims.

According to the invention, a (circular-closed) ceramic frame for a ceramic transport trough for transport in a furnace, in particular a continuous furnace or a bogie hearth furnace, is shown. The transport trough serves as a trough-shaped container for transporting and heating chemical substances, with the chemical substances (reactant) transported in the transport trough being thermally converted by heating in the oven (product). In principle, any starting material can be converted into a chemical product in the transport tank. In an advantageous application, diesel particle filters are thermally regenerated in the transport pans. However, other applications are also conceivable.

The ceramic transport trough generally comprises a flat base plate made of a ceramic material and a peripherally closed frame made of a ceramic material which, together with the base plate, forms a trough-shaped cavity (open at the top) for accommodating chemical substances. Such ceramic transport troughs are the expert from the large-scale thermal Conversion of chemical substances, for example in a continuous furnace, is well known.

The frame is positively and/or non-positively connected to the base plate, or is preferably placed loosely on the base plate. The base plate and the peripheral frame each have surfaces which delimit the trough-shaped cavity, with the base plate serving to support goods to be transported. The frame has a frame surface on the inside, which delimits the cavity together with the base plate, and an opposite frame surface on the outside.

Depending on the application, the ceramic transport tray is made of a refractory material. Frame and base plate each consist of a ceramic material, which is advantageously selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide (SiC), cordierite, mullite, alumina, or mixtures thereof. The base plate and frame are preferably made of a silicon carbide (SiC) material such as Si—SiC, in particular a porous SiC material such as N—SiC and R—SiC, silicon nitride, silicon oxynitride, or mixtures thereof. The bottom plate and the frame can be made of different ceramic materials. It is equally possible that the base plate and the frame are made of the same ceramic material.

According to the invention, the ceramic frame for a ceramic transport trough is designed in several parts and preferably consists exclusively of ceramic material. The ceramic frame according to the invention is composed of elongate frame parts and is designed to be closed all the way round, with a plane being defined by the frame which is closed all the way around, for example on the underside or underside of the frame. The ceramic frame has a flat underside so that it can be placed on a flat base plate without wobbling. The frame parts are generally in the form of solid profiles and are in particular designed in the form of plates.

The ceramic frame is composed of at least two elongate (bar-shaped or bar-shaped) frame parts, with two adjacent frame parts being connected to one another in a corner region of the frame by at least one plug-in connection. Each corner area can have one or more plug connections. Each frame part has at least one pin, in particular exactly one pin, on one (first) end and at least one pin receptacle, in particular precisely one pin receptacle, on another end, ie opposite (second) end in the longitudinal direction. To form a plug-in connection, the pin of one frame part is inserted into the pin receptacle of another frame part, the pin of one frame part preferably being inserted in a form-fitting manner into the pin receptacle of another frame part. The frame parts connected to one another in a corner area of the frame by at least one plug-in connection are butt-joined, with the connection of the two frame parts an abutting surface of one frame part coming to rest against an abutting surface of the other frame part and the two abutting surfaces in the connected state lie flat against one another. The two abutting surfaces are preferably designed to fit. Each frame part thus has two abutment surfaces. Preferably, a front (first) abutment surface is located at one (first) end of a frame member, the at least one spigot projecting from the first abutment surface, and a lateral (second) abutment surface is located at the other (second) end of the frame member. The lateral impact surface of a frame part is advantageously arranged rotated by 90° to the front impact surface of the frame part. The lateral abutment surface is advantageously designed to fit the front abutment surface, the lateral abutment surface being designed to project at the second end of the frame part.

In addition, the spigot and the frame part that has the spigot socket together form a pin socket (e.g. overlapping in the vertical direction) for a ceramic pin, such that the plug-in connection made up of the spigot and spigot socket is secured against loosening by the pin accommodated in the pin socket, i.e. it is secured by the Pin prevents the spigot from sliding out of the spigot socket.

The multi-part configuration of the ceramic frame advantageously allows the individual ceramic frame parts (before assembly of the frame) to be stored in a space-saving manner before and during firing of the frame parts in the furnace. In addition to easier handling of the frame parts due to the smaller dimensions and reduced weight compared to the complete frame, significantly less energy is required when firing per frame, since there is no empty space created by the interior of the frame. This allows the manufacturing costs for the ceramic frame and in an advantageous manner the transport tub made from it can be reduced. Due to the overall lower costs for the transport troughs, the costs for the large-scale thermal conversion of chemical substances can advantageously be reduced, for example the thermal regeneration of diesel particle filters.

According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the frame is composed of four straight ceramic frame parts (e.g. frame plates), in particular in the form of webs or strips, with each frame part having at least one pin, in particular exactly one pin, at one end and at least one pin receptacle at the other end , In particular, has exactly one pin receptacle. The frame can be assembled in a simple manner, with the spigot of one frame part being inserted into the spigot receptacle of another frame part rotated through 90°, resulting in a rectangular or square frame. The at least one connector at each corner is secured with a pin. Such a frame can be implemented relatively easily and inexpensively. The straight frame parts only require a relatively small amount of space for storage and firing in the kiln. In addition, the handling of the frame parts is considerably easier compared to the complete frame. The four frame parts are preferably of identical design to one another.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the invention, the frame is composed of two L-shaped ceramic frame parts (e.g. frame plates), each L-shaped frame part having at least one pin at one end, in particular exactly one pin, and at the other end at least one pin receptacle, in particular exactly one pin receptacle. The frame can be assembled in a simple manner, with the spigot of one frame part being inserted into the spigot socket of the other frame part, which has been rotated through 180°, resulting in a rectangular or square frame. The at least one connector at each corner is secured with a pin. Such a frame can also be implemented relatively easily and inexpensively. The L-shaped frame parts can be nested into one another and therefore only require a relatively small amount of space for storage and firing in the kiln. Although the space requirement is generally greater than with four straight frame parts, plug-in connections only have to be formed in two corner areas, which is advantageous when assembling the frame. The handling of the L-shaped frame parts is easier compared to the complete frame. The two L-shaped frame parts are preferably designed to be identical to one another. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the pin receptacle of a frame part is designed in the form of an opening (eg as a through hole or groove-like recess) in the frame part. Provision can be made for the associated pin to pass through the opening in such a way that it terminates flush with an outside frame surface of the frame part. Equally, it can be provided that the pin passes through the opening in such a way that it protrudes on an outside of the frame part. The pin receptacle of a frame part advantageously extends from the lateral abutting surface to the outside frame surface of the frame part. Alternatively, it is equally possible for the pin receptacle of a frame part to be designed in the form of a blind-ended blind hole, which preferably deepens starting from the lateral abutment surface.

In an embodiment of the frame in which the pin passes through the opening in such a way that it protrudes on an outside of the frame part, it is advantageous if the pin receptacle is formed jointly by the protruding pin and the frame part having the pin receptacle, the pin receptacle in the pin receptacle recorded pin engages behind the frame part having the pin receptacle. In this case, the pin receptacle is advantageously formed jointly by a deepening recess on the pin and by a deepening recess on an outside frame surface of the frame part having the pin receptacle. Such a plug connection can be formed easily and inexpensively. The pin provides reliable protection against loosening the plug connection.

Advantageously, in the case of the immediately above configuration, the frame is designed such that the corner area has an additional pin on an inside of the frame, which is accommodated in an additional pin receptacle, the additional pin receptacle being jointly formed by deepening recesses in the inside frame surface on the two frame parts forming the corner area is formed. This measure can improve the stability of the frame. The two pins in the same corner area can also be parts of a U-shaped plug-in element, with the two pins being the legs of the U-shaped plug-in element.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the frame according to the invention, in the case of a plug-in connection, the pin receptacle is formed by aligned recesses both in the pin and in the (other) frame part having the pin receptacle. There is preferably one in the form of an opening Recess in the pin between two recesses in the (other) frame part having the pin receptacle (ie arrangement overlapping in the vertical direction). It is advantageous here if a recess in the (other) frame part located above the recess in the pin is designed as an opening and a recess in the (other) frame part located below the recess in the pin is designed as a blind-ended blind hole. The pin can then be easily inserted into the pin receptacle from above. This measure also enables a particularly simple, in particular automated, assembly of the frame.

In the frame according to the invention, the pin of one frame part is inserted into the pin receptacle of another frame part in order to form a plug-in connection in the corner area, the pin and the frame part having the pin receptacle together forming a pin receptacle (e.g. overlapping in the vertical direction) for a ceramic pin. The plug connection is secured against loosening by the pin accommodated in the pin receptacle.

The pin receptacle and the pin of a plug-in connection are preferably made of the same ceramic material. The consequence of this is that when the transport trough is heated during use, a material connection can form between the pin and the pin receptacle, as a result of which the stability and strength of the ceramic frame is improved in an advantageous manner. Adhesive bonding of the pin in the pin receptacle can advantageously be dispensed with.

Particularly in the case of the immediately above configuration of the frame according to the invention, but also in general, it is preferred that the pin is not glued in the pin socket, ie that there is no adhesive different from the material of the pin and pin socket. Likewise, it is preferred that in a plug-in connection the spigot is not glued in the spigot socket, ie that there is no adhesive different from the material of the spigot and spigot socket. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ceramic frame does not have any gluing, ie no adhesive that differs from the ceramic material of the frame. Rather, the frame is joined only by its plug-in connections, which are secured against loosening by the respective pins. The particular advantage is that the frame can move to a certain extent in the event of temperature changes, which makes it possible to compensate for thermally induced stresses. As is well known, ceramic materials usually have has a relatively high coefficient of thermal expansion, which is in particular greater than that of graphite, so that thermally induced stresses can be caused by temperature changes.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the frame according to the invention, the two ends of a respective frame part each have a thickening (widening), i.e. the ends of a respective frame part are widened, so that the recesses for the pin receptacle in the pin and in the (other) Frame part can be formed with a sufficiently large dimension. Specifically, the two ends of a respective frame part are each designed in the form of a widening in relation to an inner section of the frame part delimited by the two ends. In other words, a width of both ends of a frame member is larger than a width of the inner portion of the frame member. In the context of the present invention, “enlargement” is understood to mean a region or section of a frame part with an increased width.

The "width" of the frame part or a section thereof is a dimension perpendicular to the extension of the frame part (i.e. longitudinal direction) and parallel to the plane defined by the peripherally closed frame (e.g. lower surface or underside of the frame). In the case of panel-shaped frame parts, the width is given by the panel thickness. The "height" of the frame part or a section thereof is a dimension perpendicular to the extent of the frame part (i.e. height direction) and perpendicular to the plane defined by the peripherally closed frame (e.g. lower surface or underside of the frame). Accordingly, the length of the frame part or a section is measured in the direction of extension of the frame part (i.e. longitudinal direction). In particular, a frame part can thus be described by its length, height and width.

The widened ends of the elongate frame parts advantageously contribute to the stability of the ceramic frame. The at least one pin receptacle of a frame part is formed in the area of a widened end. Accordingly, the at least one pin of a frame part generally has the same width as the widened end, particularly when the frame part is designed as a solid profile. The pin receptacle can thus be made larger in order to accommodate a larger pin, which improves the stability of the plug connection. In addition, the pin receptacle (eg overlapping in the vertical direction) of a plug connection is in the area of the widened end of the frame part having the pin receptacle. The particular advantage is that the widened end can ensure that there is no reduced material thickness in the corner area due to the recesses in the pin receptacle, so that the mechanical and chemical stability in the corner area is improved and the susceptibility to corrosion is reduced.

Furthermore, the two mutually abutting abutting surfaces are formed at the ends of the two widened ends of the frame parts involved. As a result, the width of the abutment surfaces is increased compared to the width of the inner sections of the frame parts, as a result of which less rotational or tilting mobility can be advantageously achieved while the mobility of the frame as a whole is advantageously retained. The lateral abutment surface is preferably designed to protrude.

The frame assembled by the frame parts has an inside frame surface formed by the frame parts. The inside frame surface can be divided into different areas, at least in theory. The inner sections of the frame parts, which are respectively delimited by the two ends of a frame part, form respective first frame surface areas. At a corner area of the frame, which is formed by two frame parts connected to one another, the two widened ends of the frame parts, whose abutting surfaces abut one another, form a second frame surface area. The second frame surface area is preferably designed as an inclined surface in relation to the two adjoining first frame surface areas and is arranged at an angle other than 90°, in particular at an angle of 45°, to the two first frame surface areas. The angle is measured in a plane parallel to the plane defined by the surrounding closed frame. The pivoting or tilting mobility of the frame while maintaining a certain mobility can thereby be further reduced in an advantageous manner. The stability of the frame is improved overall.

According to a further advantageous embodiment of the frame according to the invention, the plug-in connections, which are each formed by inserting the pin of one frame part into the pin receptacle of another frame part, each have an expansion joint for the pin. This can also be realized with an otherwise form-fitting reception of the spigot in the spigot socket. In this way, it is achieved in an advantageous manner that thermally induced stresses in the event of temperature changes are reduced. At least one plug-in connection is formed in each of the corner regions of the frame, with a projecting pin being inserted into a pin receptacle. Preferably, each corner area has only a single plug-in connection, which makes it possible for the height of the pin to be dimensioned to be correspondingly large given the moderate height of the frame part, which advantageously improves stability and reduces scrap when manufacturing the frame. The pin preferably has a height which corresponds to at least one third, in particular approximately 1/3, of the height of the associated frame part. However, it is also possible that the corner areas each have more than one plug-in connection, in particular if the height of the frame or the frame parts is dimensioned to be correspondingly large.

The frame according to the invention can in principle have any shape, it being preferred if the frame has a rectangular or square shape with two mutually opposite (parallel) frame sections.

The invention also extends to a ceramic transport trough, which comprises a flat base plate made of a ceramic material and a ceramic frame (closed all round) according to the invention. The base plate and the frame together form a trough-shaped cavity (open at the top) for storing chemical substances. The frame is either positively and/or non-positively connected to the base plate or is preferably placed loosely on the base plate.

The invention also extends to a method for producing a ceramic frame according to the invention, as described above. In the method, the ceramic frame parts are fired in an unassembled state in a furnace and the frame is assembled from the frame parts after the frame parts have been fired. The ceramic frame parts can be finished in an advantageous manner before firing and can be used immediately after firing, without further processing, for assembling the frame.

The various configurations of the invention can be implemented individually or in any combination. In particular, the above and below The features to be explained can be used not only in the specified combinations, but also in other combinations or on their own, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

The invention will now be explained in more detail using exemplary embodiments, reference being made to the accompanying drawings. Elements that are the same and have the same effect are provided with the same reference symbols. They show in a simplified representation that is not to scale:

1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the frame according to the invention for a transport trough;

2 shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of the frame according to the invention for a transport trough;

3 shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of the frame according to the invention for a transport trough;

4 shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of the frame according to the invention for a transport trough;

5 is a perspective view of a conventional frame for a shipping tub.

Detailed description of the drawings

Reference is first made to FIG. 1, in which a frame for a transport trough, designated overall by the reference number 1, according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention is shown in a perspective view obliquely from above. The frame 1 is intended to be loosely fitted onto a one-piece base plate made of a ceramic material, resulting in a transport vat used for storing, transporting and heating chemical substances in a furnace. It would also be possible to firmly connect the frame 1 to the base plate, for example by means of a clamp connection. However, it is preferable for the frame 1 to be placed loosely on the base plate. The chemical substances can also be in one Product, such as a diesel particulate filter, may be included. Accordingly, the transport tray is used to hold the product. The furnace is, for example, a continuous furnace. Typically, a continuous furnace comprises a roller bed with actively driven rollers which together form a transport surface for supporting and transporting the transport tray from a furnace entrance to a furnace exit. The continuous furnace can also be designed as a pusher furnace. The transport trays are moved through the furnace on pusher plates. The transport trays are built up as a stack with, for example, different heights on the pusher plate. Since the specific structure of a continuous furnace is not necessary for understanding the invention, its description is unnecessary.

In Figure 1, the flat base plate 23, on which the frame 1 is placed loosely, is not shown in detail. The transport trough 100 consists of the frame 1 and the base plate 23.

In contrast to the conventional frame T, as illustrated by way of example in FIG. In the concrete exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the frame 1 which is closed all the way around is composed of four identical frame parts 2 which are firmly connected to one another but can be detached without being destroyed. The frame 1 has a rectangular shape, here in particular a square shape, and comprises four frame parts 2, i.e. two opposite (parallel) frame parts 2, which are connected to one another at corner regions 3. It would also be possible for two opposite frame parts 2 to differ in length from the other two opposite frame parts 2, so that the frame 1 is rectangular in shape.

The frame 1 has an inside frame surface 5 on its inside 21 and an outside frame surface 6 on its outside 20 . The frame surface 5 on the inside is designed to be closed all the way round, with the four-part structure separating joints 22 being present in the corner regions 3 . The inside frame surface 5 surrounds an interior area 4. When the frame 1 is placed on a base plate 23, the bottom surface of the base plate 23 and the inside frame surface 5 together delimit a trough-shaped cavity which is open at the top and is used to hold chemical substances which are to be thermally converted by heating in the oven. For this purpose, the transport tub is stored on the Bottom plate 23 transported into an oven. The dimensions of the trough-shaped cavity result from the inner area 4 of the frame 1 shown in FIG. 1. The flat bottom plate 23 closes off the inner area 4 at the bottom.

The frame 1 and the bottom plate 23 are each made of a ceramic material. Here, the frame 1 and the base plate 23 can consist of different ceramic materials, it being equally possible for them to consist of the same ceramic material. For example, the frame 1 consists of a ceramic material selected from the group consisting of silicon carbide (SiC), in particular R-SiC, N-SiC, S-SiC and Si-SiC, aluminum oxide, zirconium oxide, magnesium oxide, or mixtures thereof is. The frame 1 can also consist of cordierite or a cordierite/spinel/mullite mixture, for example.

The frame 1 and the transport trough 100 produced from it are advantageously used for the thermal regeneration of diesel particle filters in a furnace. Other applications are also conceivable, such as the production of the active cathode material of a lithium-ion battery or the production of color pigments.

The fixed connection of the multi-part frame 1 by means of plug connections is described below. In order to clarify the plug-in connections at the four corner areas 3, two corner areas 3 are shown enlarged as inserts in FIG.

The four identical frame parts 2 are each designed in the form of rectangular, straight frame plates (webs or strips), so that the peripherally closed frame 1 is designed in the form of webs or strips overall. The frame parts 2 have a pin 9 (projection) on a first end 7 and a pin receptacle 11 in the form of an opening (through hole) in the frame part 2 on a second end 8 . The pin receptacle 11 is designed to fit the pin 9 in each case, so that the pin 9 of a frame part 2 can be inserted in a form-fitting manner into the pin receptacle 11 of another frame part 2 . An expansion joint, not shown, for the pin 9 can be provided. The pin 9 protrudes from the first end 7 in the longitudinal direction of the frame part 2 , the pin 9 projecting from a front abutment surface 18 formed at the first end 7 . The two ends 7, 8 of a frame part 2 delimit an inner section 10 of the frame part 2. The longitudinal direction of each elongate frame part 2 extends along the longer dimension of the frame part 2, which is also parallel to the plane of the frame 1 and base plate 23, respectively. In FIG. 1, the longitudinal direction extends in the x or y direction. The bottom plate is parallel to the xy plane. The vertical direction of the frame part 2 perpendicular to the longitudinal direction extends along the shorter dimension of the frame part 2 , which is also perpendicular to the xy plane of the base plate 23 . In FIG. 1, the vertical direction is designated as the z-direction. The width direction of a frame part 2 is the direction in which the panel thickness of a frame part 2 is measured (perpendicular to the longitudinal and vertical direction of the frame part 2, ie in the xy plane). In figure 1 the top of the frame 1 is indicated with the reference number 15 .

Each pin receiver 11 extends from the inside frame surface 5, i.e. from the front abutment surface 18, to the outside frame surface 6 (extension in the width direction) and is formed at the second end 8 of the frame part 2. In the exemplary embodiment, the pin 9 is approximately at the center height (relative to the vertical direction) of each frame part 2. Accordingly, the pin receptacle 11 of each frame part 2 is arranged at approximately the center height of each frame part 2. It would also be possible to provide the pin 9 and the pin receptacle 11 further up or further down. The height of the pin 9 is about 1/3 of the height of the frame part 2.

As shown in FIG. 1, the four frame parts 2 are connected to one another by inserting a respective pin 9 of a frame part 2 into the pin receptacle 11 of a further frame part 2 rotated by 90°, so that a frame with a square shape is formed which is closed all the way round. A rectangular shape of the frame 1 would also be possible, for which purpose each two opposite (parallel) frame parts 2 have a different dimension in the longitudinal direction than the two other frame parts 2, which are equally opposite to one another. When the spigot 9 is inserted into the spigot socket 11, the flat frontal abutment surface 18 of one frame part 2, which is located on the frontal side 19 of the frame part 2, comes to rest against a flat lateral abutment surface 18', which is located on the inner side 21 of the other frame part 2 located. It is not necessary to design the lateral abutment surface 18' in a special way.

In order to secure the plug-in connection between the frame parts 2, two pins 12, 12' are arranged in each corner area 3, which can be inserted into a corresponding pin receptacle 13, 13' are plugged in. An outside pin 12 is provided on the outside frame surface 6 and an inside pin 12' is provided on the inside frame surface 5, with the outside pin 12 being positively inserted into an outside pin receptacle 13 and the inside pin 12' being positively inserted into an inside pin receptacle 13'. The pins 12, 12' are, for example, cylindrical here, with the pin receptacles 13, 13' having a corresponding hollow cylindrical shape. A different shape of the pins 12, 12' would also be possible, for example cuboid, in which case the shape of the pin receptacles 13, 13' would have to be adapted accordingly. The pin receptacles 13, 13' each extend in the vertical direction (z-direction), so that the pins 12, 12' can each be inserted from above (z-direction). It would also be possible for the two pins 12, 12', the two legs, to be a U-shaped plug-in element.

The outside pin receptacle 13 in a corner region 3 is formed jointly by a recess 14 - 1 in the pin 9 of one frame part 2 and a further recess 14 - 2 at the second end 8 of the other frame part 2 . The recess 14 - 2 of the other frame part 2 is designed in the form of a groove-like depression of the outside frame surface 6 . The recess 14-1 of the pin 9 and the recess 14-2 of the other frame part 2 together form a hollow-cylindrical pin receptacle 13 for the pin 12, which is cylindrical here, for example, with the pin receptacle 13 on the outside receiving the entire length of the associated pin 12, the pin 12 however, only partially surrounds it in the circumferential direction, i.e. the pin 12 is not completely received in the pin receptacle 13. In this respect, the outside pin receptacle 13 forms a partially hollow-cylindrical receptacle for the pin 12. The positive (partial) reception of the pin 12 in the recess 14-1 of the pin 9 prevents the pin 9 from sliding out of the pin receptacle 11. Since the pin 12 is also (partially) received in the recess 14 - 2 of the other frame part 2 with a positive fit, the pin 9 is received in the pin receptacle 11 without wobbling. The pin receptacle 13 extends downwards in the vertical direction from the upper side 15 of the frame 1 in the manner of a blind hole that is partially open in the circumferential direction, so that the pin 12 rests on a bottom of the pin receptacle 13 . This enables automated production in a simple manner. The pin 12 is captively accommodated in the pin receptacle 13 by frictional and positive locking.

The inside pin receptacle 13' in a corner area 3 is formed jointly by a recess 14-T in the second end 8 of one frame part 2 and a further recess 14-2' in the first end 7 of the other frame part 2. The two Recesses 14-1', 14-2' are in each case recesses in the inside frame surface 5. The two recesses 14-1', 14-2' together form a hollow-cylindrical pin receptacle 13' for the pin 12', which is cylindrical here for example, with the inside pin receptacle 13' accommodates the associated pin 12' over its entire length, but only partially surrounds the pin 12' in the circumferential direction, ie the pin 12' is not completely accommodated in the pin receptacle 13'. In this respect, the inside pin receptacle 13' forms a partially hollow-cylindrical receptacle for the pin 12'. The two frame parts 2 are stabilized in the corner region 3 by the positive (partial) reception of the pin 12' in the pin receptacle 13', so that the frame 1 becomes more stable overall. It would be conceivable to omit the inside pins 12', but it is preferable that the frame 1 has the inside pins 12 in order to improve the stability of the frame 1. The pin receptacle 13' extends downwards in the vertical direction from the top side 15 of the frame in the manner of a blind hole that is partially open in the circumferential direction, so that the pin 12' rests on a bottom of the pin receptacle 13'. This enables simple automated production. The pin 12' is accommodated captively in the pin receptacle 13' by frictional and positive locking.

The frame 1 thus has a pin 12 in a pin receptacle 13 and a pin 12′ in a pin receptacle 13′ in each of the four corner regions 3 . The frame 1 illustrated with reference to Figure 1 can be assembled in a simple manner, with the pins 9 of a frame part 2 being inserted into a respective pin receptacle 11 of a further frame part 2 rotated by 90° and the pins 12, 12' being inserted into the respective pin receptacles 13 , 13' are inserted. A particular advantage of the frame 1 is that the frame 1 is only assembled when the frame parts 2 have been fired in the kiln, so that the space required for storing the frame parts 2 before firing and especially in the kiln during firing increases considerably reduced (no void space through interior 4). Significantly less energy is required for firing per frame 1, since the individual (unassembled) frame parts 2 can be placed much closer together than the complete (assembled) frame 1. In addition, the handling of the frame parts 2 is easier because the frame parts 2 are much smaller and lighter than the complete frame 1. These are great advantages of the invention.

Reference is now made to Figures 2 and 3, wherein further embodiments of the frame 1 according to the invention are illustrated. In order to avoid unnecessary repetitions, only the differences from the exemplary embodiment in FIG. 1 are explained and otherwise reference is made to the above statements. First, consider FIG. 2, in which another exemplary embodiment of the frame 1 according to the invention is shown in a perspective view obliquely from above. Accordingly, the peripherally closed frame 1 is formed in two parts. The frame 1 is essentially rectangular in shape and comprises two L-shaped frame parts 2 which are of identical design and are connected to one another in a fixed manner, but which can be detached without destroying them. During assembly of the frame 1, one frame part 2 is rotated by 180° relative to the other frame part 2 about an axis of rotation in the vertical direction. The frame 1 is firmly connected to one another at two corner regions 3 lying opposite one another in the diagonal direction. Each L-shaped frame member includes a first leg 16 and second leg 16' which are disposed at an angle of 90° relative to each other.

In order to clarify the plug-in connections at the two corner areas 3, a corner area 3 is shown enlarged as an insertion in FIG. The two L-shaped frame parts 2 (frame plates) have a pin 9 at a first end 7 and a pin receptacle 11 at a second end 8 in the form of an opening or groove-like recess. The pin receptacle 11 is designed to fit the pin 9 in each case, so that the pin 9 of one frame part 2 can be inserted into the pin receptacle 11 of the other frame part 2 in an essentially form-fitting manner. The pin 9 protrudes at the first end 7 in the longitudinal direction of a leg 16, 16' opposite the end face 18. The pin 9 is formed on the first end 7 of the frame part 2 , and the pin receptacle 11 is formed on the second end 8 of the frame part 2 . Each pin receiver 11 extends from the inside frame surface 5 to the outside frame surface 6 (extension in the width direction). In the exemplary embodiment, the pin 9 is located approximately at the center height of each frame part 2, with the pin receptacle 11 of each frame part 2 being arranged accordingly at approximately the center height. It would also be possible to provide the pin 9 and the pin receptacle 11 further up or further down.

As shown in FIG. 2, the two frame parts 2 are connected to one another by inserting a respective pin 9 of one frame part 2 into the pin receptacle 11 of the other frame part 2 rotated by 180°, so that a frame with a square shape is formed which is closed all the way round. A rectangular shape of the frame 1 would also be possible, for which purpose two opposing (parallel) legs 16, 16' have a different longitudinal dimension than the other two legs 16, 16' which are equally opposite to each other.

In order to secure the plug-in connection between the frame parts 2, a pin 12 is arranged in each corner region 3 and is inserted into a corresponding pin receptacle 13. The pins 12 are, for example, cylindrical here, with the pin receptacles 13 having a corresponding hollow cylindrical shape. Another possible shape would also be possible for the pins 12, for example cuboid, in which case the shape of the pin receptacles 13 would have to be adapted accordingly. The pin receptacles 13 each extend in the vertical direction (z-direction), so that the pins 12 can each be inserted from above (z-direction).

In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the pegs 9 penetrate the peg receptacles 11 only to the extent that the pegs 9 fit flush into the outside frame surface 6, i.e. the pegs 9 do not protrude from the outside frame surface 6. Although not shown, it would be equally possible for the pegs 9 to protrude from the outside frame surface 6. In addition, it would be equally possible for the pin receptacle 11 to be in the form of blind-ended blind holes, in which case the pins 9 then do not extend as far as the outside frame surface 6 but end in the adjacent frame part 2 .

The pin receptacle 13 in a respective corner area 3 is formed jointly by a recess 14-1 of the pin 9 and two further recesses 14-2 of the base part 10, which are arranged in alignment (in an overlapping arrangement). The recess 14-1 of the pin 9 is inserted between the two recesses 14-2 of the base part 10, the recess 14-2 of the base part 10 being formed above the recess 14-1 of the pin 9 in the form of an opening, and the recess 14 -2 of the base part 10 is formed below the recess 14-1 of the pin 9 in the form of a blind-ended blind hole. The recess 14-1 of the pin 9 and the two recesses 14-2 of the base part 10 together form a hollow-cylindrical pin receptacle 13 for the pin 12, which is cylindrical here, for example, with the pin receptacle 13 on the outside accommodating the pin 12 over its entire length and the pin 12 over its entire circumference surrounds. The pin 12 passes through the pin receptacle 13 so that the pin 9 is secured in the pin receptacle 11 against sliding out. The pin 12 is captively accommodated in the pin receptacle 13 by frictional and positive locking. The frame 1 of FIG. 2 thus has a pin 12 in a pin receptacle 13 in each of two corner regions 3 . The frame 1 illustrated in Figure 2 can be assembled in a simple manner, with the respective pin 9 of the two frame parts 2 being inserted into a respective pin receptacle 11 of the other frame part 2, rotated by 180°, and the pins 12 being inserted into the respective pin receptacles 13 be inserted. Since the two L-shaped frame parts 2 can be nested in one another during storage and firing in the furnace, their space requirement is relatively small.

The two ends 7, 8 of a respective frame part 2 each have a widening 17, 17' (thickening), the two ends 7, 8 themselves being widened. The pin receptacle 13 (which overlaps in the vertical direction) is arranged in the area of the widened second end 8 of a frame part 2 . Thus, the pin receptacle 13 can be formed with a sufficiently large dimension, so that the material thickness is not reduced by the recesses in the pin receptacle 13. This measure can advantageously improve the mechanical and chemical stability in the corner area 3 and reduce the susceptibility to corrosion. The widened ends 7, 8 of the elongated frame parts 2 thus contribute to the chemical and mechanical stability of the ceramic frame 1 in an advantageous manner. The pin 9 has the same width as the widened first end 7 of the frame part 2 . The pin receptacle 11 is arranged in the area of the broadened second end 9 of the frame part 2 and can be dimensioned relatively large in a corresponding manner. The pin receptacle 11 can thus be made relatively large in order to accommodate a relatively large pin 9, which improves the stability of the plug connection.

In a respective corner region 3, the two widened ends 7, 8 of the connected frame parts 2 have flat abutting surfaces 18, 18', which come into contact with one another when the pin 9 is inserted into the pin receptacle 11, in order to form the inside frame surface 5 as closed as possible. The end face 18 of the frame part 2 provided with the pin 9 is arranged on the end face 19 of the frame part 2 . The side impact surface 18' of the other frame part 2 faces the front impact surface 18 and is designed to fit this. The lateral abutment surface 18' is formed in a projecting manner. The width of the two abutting surfaces 18, 18' is increased compared to the width of the inner sections 10 of the frame parts 2, as a result of which less rotational or tilting mobility can be advantageously achieved while the mobility of the frame 1 as a whole is advantageously retained. The inner sections 10 of the frame parts 2, which are each delimited by the two ends 7, 8 of a frame part 2, form respective first frame surface areas 24 of the inside frame surface 5. At a corner area 3 of the frame, which is formed by two frame parts 2 connected to one another, form the two widened ends 7, 8 of the frame parts 2, whose abutting surfaces 18, 18' abut one another, a second frame surface area 25 of the inside frame surface 5. The second frame surface areas 25 are each designed as an inclined surface and at an angle of 45° to the two adjacent first Frame surface areas 24 inclined. The rotational or tilting mobility of the frame 1 while maintaining a certain mobility can be further reduced in an advantageous manner as a result. The stability of the frame 1 is improved overall.

The plug-in connections, which are each formed by inserting the pin 9 of one frame part 2 into the pin receptacle 11 of another frame part 2, each have an expansion joint 26 for the pin 9, which can advantageously be achieved that thermally induced stresses during temperature changes are reduced are.

A further exemplary embodiment of the frame 1 according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 3 on the basis of a perspective view obliquely from above. This design is similar to the design in Figure 2, the only difference being that the frame 1 is composed of four bar-shaped (straight) frame parts 2, which are each attached to the corner areas 3 analogously to the connection of the L-shaped frame parts 2 in Figure 2 are connected to each other. For this purpose, each frame part 2 has a pin 9 (projection) on a first end 7 and a pin receptacle 11 in the form of an opening on a second end 8 . The pin receptacle 11 is designed to fit the pin 9 in each case, so that the pin 9 of a frame part 2 can be positively inserted into the pin receptacle 11 of another frame part 2, which is rotated by 90°. The pin 9 protrudes in the longitudinal direction of a frame part 2 . The pin 9 is formed on the first end 7 of the frame part 2 , and the pin receptacle 11 is formed on the second end 8 of the frame part 2 .

As shown in FIG. 3, the four frame parts 2 are connected to one another by inserting a respective pin 9 of one frame part 2 into the pin receptacle 11 of another frame part 2 rotated by 90°, so that a frame with a square shape is formed which is closed all the way round. Here come the planar abutment surfaces 18, 18' for mutual investment. In order to secure the plug-in connection between the four frame parts 2, a pin 12 is arranged in each corner region 3 and is inserted into a corresponding pin receptacle 13.

The frame 1 of FIG. 3 thus has a pin 12 in a pin receptacle 13 in each of the four corner regions 3 . The frame 1 illustrated with reference to FIG. 3 can be assembled in a simple manner, with the pin 9 of one frame part being inserted into the pin receptacle 11 of another frame part and the pins 12 being inserted into the respective pin receptacles 13 . Since the four straight (web-shaped) frame parts 2 can be placed next to one another when they are stored and fired in the furnace, their space requirement is relatively small.

A further exemplary embodiment of the frame 1 according to the invention is illustrated in FIG. 4 on the basis of a perspective view obliquely from above. This configuration is similar to the configuration in FIG. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, a single connector is provided per corner area 3, whereas in the embodiment of FIG. 4, two connectors are provided per corner area 3 in a vertical arrangement. The plug-in connections are each designed analogously to those of the embodiment of FIG. The corner regions 3 each have recesses 27 between the two plug connections arranged vertically one above the other, so that pins 12 can be inserted into the lower pin receptacles 13 from above. The height of the frame parts 2 is dimensioned such that each pin 9 has a height of about 1/3 of half the height of the frame part 2, as a result of which good stability of the frame 1 and a small amount of rejects can be ensured.

In all of the exemplary embodiments, the pin receptacles 13, 13' and the pins 12, 12' are advantageously made of the same ceramic material, with the result that when the transport trough 100 is heated, a material connection can form between the pin receptacle and the pin accommodated therein. whereby the stability and strength of the ceramic frame 1 is advantageously improved.

It follows from the above that the invention provides an improved ceramic frame for a ceramic transport tub for storage, transport and provides the heating of chemical substances in an oven. The multi-part design of the ceramic frame enables the frame parts to be stored in a space-saving manner before and during firing in the kiln. In addition to easier handling of the frame parts due to the smaller dimensions and reduced weight compared to the complete frame, significantly less energy is required when firing each frame. As a result, the production costs for the ceramic frame and the transport trough made from it can be reduced in an advantageous manner. Due to the overall lower costs for the transport troughs, the costs for the large-scale thermal conversion of chemical substances can advantageously be reduced, for example the thermal regeneration of diesel particle filters.

Reference List

1 frame

2 frame part

3 corner area

4 interior

5 inside frame surface

6 outside frame surface

7 first end

8 second end

9 cones

10 interior section

11 trunnion mount

12, 12' pin

13, 13' pin receptacle

14-1, 14-2, 14-1', 14-2' recess

15 top

16,16' thighs

17, 17' Widening

18 front abutment surface

18' side impact surface

19 face

20 outside

21 inside

22 parting line

23 bottom plate

24 first frame area

25 second frame area

26 expansion joint

27 recess

100 transport tub

T frame

2' frame part

3' corner area

4' interior

Claims

25 patent claims

1. Ceramic frame (1) for a transport tank for transporting and heating chemical substances, which is composed of at least two elongate frame parts (2) which are connected to one another by plug-in connections at corner areas (3) of the frame (1), each frame part (2 ) has at least one projecting pin (9) at one end (7) and at least one pin receptacle (11) at the other end (8), with the pin (9) of a frame part (2) being inserted into the pin receptacle (11 ) of another frame part (2) is inserted, and wherein the pin (9) and the frame part (2) having the pin receptacle (11) together form a pin receptacle (13) for a ceramic pin (12), such that through the in the pin receptacle (13) received pin (12) the plug connection is secured against loosening.

2. Ceramic frame (1) for transport trough according to claim 1, wherein the frame (1) is composed of i) four bar-shaped frame parts (2), or ii) two L-shaped frame parts (2).

3. Ceramic frame (1) for transport tub according to claim 1 or 2, in which the pin receptacle (11) is designed in the form of an opening in the frame part (2), in particular as a through hole or groove-like recess.

4. Ceramic frame (1) for transport tub according to claim 3, wherein the pin (9) passes through the opening so that it is flush with an outside frame surface (6).

5. Ceramic frame (1) for transport tub according to one of claims 1 or 2, wherein the pin receptacle (11) is designed in the form of a blind-ended blind hole of the frame part (2).

6. Ceramic frame (1) for transport tub according to one of claims 1 to 5, in which the pin receptacle (13) is formed by aligned recesses (14-1, 14-2) both in the pin (9) and in which the pin receptacle (11 ) having frame part (2) is formed, in particular by a recess (14-1) in the pin (9), which is located between two recesses (14-2) in the frame part (2) having the pin receptacle (11).

7. Ceramic frame (1) for transport tub according to claim 6, in which a recess (14-2) of the frame part (2) located above the recess (14-1) of the pin (9) as an opening and a recess below the recess (14 -1) the recess (14-2) of the frame part (2) located on the pin (9) is designed as a blind-ended blind hole.

8. Ceramic frame (1) for transport tub according to any one of claims 1 to

7, in which the pin receptacle (13) and the pin (12) consist of the same ceramic material.

9. Ceramic frame (1) for transport tub according to any one of claims 1 to

8, in which the two ends (7, 8) of each frame part (2) are each in the form of a widening (17, 17') in relation to an inner section (10) of the frame part ( 2) are formed, the widenings (17, 17') of the adjacent frame parts (2) in a plug-in connection forming abutting surfaces (18, 18').

10. Ceramic frame (1) for transport tub according to claim 9, wherein in the plug-in connection the pin receptacle (13) is arranged in the area of the widened end (8) of the frame part (2) having the pin receptacle (11).

11. Ceramic frame (1) for transport tub according to claim 9 or 10, wherein in the plug connection, the pin receptacle (11) is arranged in the region of the widened end (9) of the frame part (2).

12. Ceramic frame (1) for a transport tub according to one of Claims 9 to 11, in which an inner frame surface (5) is formed by the frame parts (2), a first frame surface area being on a respective inner section (10) of a frame part (2). (24) and at each corner area (3), which results from two frame parts (2) connected to one another, a second frame surface area (25) is formed by the two widened ends (7, 8) of the two frame parts (2), the second frame surface area (25) is designed as a sloping surface and at an angle of less than 180°, in particular 45°, to the adjoining first frame surface areas (24).

13. Ceramic frame (1) for transport tub according to one of claims 1 to 12, in which the plug-in connection, which is formed by inserting the pin (9) of one frame part (2) into the pin receptacle (11) of another frame part (2), has an expansion joint for the pin (9).

14. Ceramic transport tank (100) for transporting and heating chemical substances, which comprises a flat bottom plate (23) made of a ceramic material and a ceramic frame (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the ceramic frame (1) is preferably placed loosely on the base plate (23).

15. A method for producing a ceramic frame (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the frame parts (2) in the non-assembled state in a

Kiln are fired and the frame (1) is assembled from the frame parts (2) after firing the frame parts (2).