Pneumatically clamping adapter sleeve

Abstract

Described herein is an adapter sleeve for adapting the internal diameter of cylindrical hollow cylinders to the external diameter of a cylindrical roller, comprising a sleeve body with (as viewed from the inside to the outside) a deformable base sleeve, optionally an intermediate layer and a top layer. The adapter sleeve furthermore contains a first gas distribution system and a second gas distribution system, which are connected to a gas inlet. The first gas distribution system is connected to at least one first gas outlet, which opens on an outer lateral surface of the adapter sleeve. The second gas distribution system has a cavity, which is designed, when supplied with a pressurized gas, to transmit pressure from the inside to the deformable base sleeve in such a way that the internal diameter of the sleeve body is reduced, at least in a partial region of the adapter sleeve, by a deformation of the base sleeve.

Claims

1. An adapter sleeve (10) for adapting the internal diameter of cylindrical hollow cylinders to the external diameter of a cylindrical roller (100), comprising a sleeve body with (as viewed from the inside to the outside) a deformable base sleeve (3), optionally at least one intermediate layer (4), and a top layer (5), wherein the adapter sleeve has at least one first gas inlet (6), which is connected to a first gas distribution system (1), and wherein the adapter sleeve (10) has at least one first gas outlet (7), which is connected to the first gas distribution system (1) and opens on an outer lateral surface (30) of the adapter sleeve (10), characterized in that the adapter sleeve (10) furthermore comprises a second gas distribution system (2), wherein the second gas distribution system (2) is connected to the gas inlet (6), and the second gas distribution system (2) has a cavity (12), which is designed, when supplied with a pressurized gas, to transmit pressure from the inside to the deformable base sleeve (3) in such a way that the internal diameter of the sleeve body is reduced, at least in a partial region of the adapter sleeve (10), by a deformation of the base sleeve (3).

2. The adapter sleeve (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that a gas connection (13) is arranged as a gas inlet (6) at one end of the adapter sleeve (10).

3. The adapter sleeve (10) as claimed in claim 2, characterized in that the adapter sleeve (10) comprises a third gas distribution system (11), which is connected to the gas inlet (6), and the adapter sleeve (10) furthermore has at least one second gas outlet (9), which is connected to the third gas distribution system (11) and opens on an inner lateral surface (32) of the adapter sleeve (10) on the surface of the deformable base sleeve (3).

4. The adapter sleeve (10) as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the adapter sleeve (10) comprises a gas control unit (8), which is designed to enable and/or to block the flow of gas from the gas inlet (6) to the first gas distribution system (1), to the second gas distribution system (2) and/or to the third gas distribution system (11).

5. The adapter sleeve (10) as claimed in claim 4, characterized in that the gas control unit (8) is selected from the group comprising a two-way cock, a three-way cock, at least one switch, at least one valve, a banjo bolt and combinations of at least two of these units.

6. The adapter sleeve (10) as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the at least one first gas outlet (7) and/or the at least one second gas outlet (9) are/is designed to discharge compressed air in a manner distributed over the length of the adapter sleeve (10) or adjacent to one end of the adapter sleeve (10).

7. The adapter sleeve (10) as claimed in claim 3, characterized in that the at least one first gas outlet (7) and/or the at least one second gas outlet (9) are/is embodied as circumferentially arranged holes or circumferentially arranged porous regions.

8. The adapter sleeve (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the at least one gas inlet (6) is arranged on the inner side of the sleeve body and is designed for connection to gas outlets on the outer lateral surface of the cylindrical roller.

9. The adapter sleeve (10) as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the cavity (12) extends substantially over the length of the adapter sleeve (10) or is limited to a region adjoining one of the ends.

10. An arrangement containing a cylindrical roller (100) and at least one adapter sleeve (10) as claimed in claim 1 mounted on the roller.

11. An arrangement containing a cylindrical roller (100), at least one adapter sleeve (10) as claimed in claim 1 mounted on the roller and at least one hollow cylinder (200) mounted on the adapter sleeve (10).

12. A method for mounting a hollow cylinder on a cylindrical roller (100) using the adapter sleeve (10) as claimed in claim 1, comprising the following steps: a) supplying a cylindrical roller (100), supplying the adapter sleeve (10) and supplying a hollow cylinder (200), b) positioning the adapter sleeve (10) on the cylindrical roller (100), c) supplying the adapter sleeve (10) with a pressurized gas in such a way that the gas enters the cavity (12) in the adapter sleeve (10), wherein the gas in the cavity (12) transmits pressure to the deformable base sleeve (3) of the adapter sleeve (10) in such a way that the internal diameter of the adapter sleeve (10) is reduced, at least in a partial region of the adapter sleeve (10), by a deformation of the base sleeve (3) and thereby clamps the adapter sleeve (10) on the cylindrical roller, d) supplying the adapter sleeve (10) with a pressurized gas in such a way that the gas flows out via the first gas distribution system (1) of the adapter sleeve (10), via at least one first gas outlet (7) at the outer lateral surface of the adapter sleeve (10), and forms a gas cushion, e) mounting and positioning the hollow cylinder (200) on the adapter sleeve (10), f) switching off the gas supply, wherein an excess pressure in the cavity (12) in the adapter sleeve (10) may optionally be maintained.

13. The method as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that the cylindrical roller (100) is equipped with a gas distribution system, with the result that the cylindrical roller (100) supplies a gas cushion for the positioning of the adapter sleeve (10) on the cylindrical roller (100) and, after the positioning of the adapter sleeve (10) on the cylindrical roller, the gas for acting upon the adapter sleeve (10) is supplied through the cylindrical roller (100).

14. The method as claimed in claim 12, characterized in that, to mount the adapter sleeve (10) on the cylindrical roller (100), the adapter sleeve (10) is supplied with a gas via a gas connection (13) of the adapter sleeve (10) in such a way that the gas emerges from at least one second gas outlet (9), which opens at an inner lateral surface of the adapter sleeve (10) and forms a gas cushion which enables the adapter sleeve (10) to be mounted on or demounted from the cylindrical roller (100).

15. A method for demounting a hollow cylinder (200) from a cylindrical roller (100) which has been mounted using the adapter sleeve (10) according to claim 1, comprising the following steps: a) supplying an arrangement containing a roller (100) equipped with a gas supply, the adapter sleeve (10), and at least one hollow cylinder (200), b) supplying the adapter sleeve (10) with a pressurized gas in such a way that the gas enters the cavity (12) in the adapter sleeve (10), wherein the gas in the cavity (12) transmits pressure to the deformable base sleeve (3) of the adapter sleeve (10) in such a way that the internal diameter of the adapter sleeve (10) is reduced, at least in a partial region of the adapter sleeve (10), by a deformation of the base sleeve (3) and thereby clamps the adapter sleeve (10) on the cylindrical roller (100), c) supplying the adapter sleeve (10) with a gas, with the result that the gas flows out via the first gas distribution system (1) of the adapter sleeve (10) and via at least one first gas outlet (7) at the outer lateral surface of the adapter sleeve (10), and forms a gas cushion, d) removing the hollow cylinder (200).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1 shows a cross section of the adapter sleeve without the intermediate layer,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a cross section of the adapter sleeve with the intermediate layer,

(4) FIG. 3 shows a longitudinal section of the adapter sleeve with the first and second gas distribution systems,

(5) FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section of the adapter sleeve with the first, second and third gas distribution systems,

(6) FIG. 5 shows a longitudinal section of the adapter sleeve with the first and second gas distribution systems and with an additional cavity at the end of the second gas distribution system, and

(7) FIG. 6 shows a longitudinal section of the adapter sleeve with the first, second and third gas distribution systems and with an additional cavity at the end of the second gas distribution system

(8) FIG. 1 shows a cross section of a first embodiment of an adapter sleeve 10 on a cylindrical roller 100. The adapter sleeve 10 in FIG. 1 has a sleeve body with a deformable base layer 3 and a top layer 5. The shape of the sleeve body corresponds substantially to a hollow circular cylinder 200. An outer lateral surface 30 of the adapter sleeve 10 is formed by the outer side of the top layer 5, and an inner lateral surface 32 of the adapter sleeve 10 is formed by the outer surface of the base layer 3.

(9) The adapter sleeve 10 furthermore comprises a gas inlet 6 arranged on the inside of the sleeve body. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the gas inlet 6 is embodied as an opening in the deformable base layer 3, preferably as a radially encircling ring of openings.

(10) A first gas distribution system 1 of the adapter sleeve 10 comprises a plurality of channels 20, 22, which extend in the deformable base layer 3 and/or the top layer 5 or between said layers. A channel 20 extending in the radial direction in the flexible base layer 3 and the top layer 5 connects the gas inlet 6 to the first gas distribution system 1.

(11) Via a channel 20 extending in the radial direction, the gas distribution system 1 is connected to a first gas outlet 7, which opens at the surface of the top layer 5 and hence on the outer side of the adapter sleeve 10. The adapter sleeve 10 has further first gas outlets 7 (not visible in the illustration in FIG. 1), which can be supplied with gas by the first gas distribution system 1 via further channels. Gas flowing out of the first gas outlets 7 can be used to produce an air cushion, which allows a hollow cylinder to be mounted easily on the adapter sleeve 10.

(12) The adapter sleeve 10 furthermore has a second gas distribution system 2, of which only a channel 22 extending in the axial direction is visible in the view in FIG. 1. The second gas distribution system 2 is connected to the first gas distribution system 1 via connecting channels 24 and a gas control unit 8. Starting from the gas inlet 6, gas can be passed via the first gas distribution system 1 and the gas control unit 8 to the second gas distribution system 2. A gas flow to the second gas distribution system 2 can be enabled or blocked by means of the gas control unit 8.

(13) FIG. 2 shows a cross section of a second embodiment of an adapter sleeve 10 on a cylindrical roller 100. The adapter sleeve 10 in FIG. 2 has a sleeve body with (as viewed from the inside to the outside) a deformable base layer 3, an intermediate layer 4 and a top layer 5. The shape of the sleeve body corresponds substantially to a hollow circular cylinder 200.

(14) The adapter sleeve 10 furthermore comprises a gas inlet 6 arranged on the inside of the sleeve body. As described with reference to the first embodiment in FIG. 1, the gas inlet 6 is embodied as an opening in the deformable base layer 3, preferably as a radially encircling ring of openings.

(15) A first gas distribution system 1 comprises a plurality of channels 20, 22, which extend in the deformable base layer 3, the intermediate layer 4 and/or the top layer 5 or between the layers. The first gas distribution system 1 is connected to the first gas inlet 6 via a channel 20 extending in the radial direction in the flexible base layer 3 and the intermediate layer 4.

(16) Via a channel 20 extending in the radial direction in the intermediate layer 4 and the top layer 5, the gas distribution system 1 is connected to a first gas outlet 7, which opens at the surface of the top layer 5 and hence on the outer side of the adapter sleeve 10. The adapter sleeve 10 has further first gas outlets 7 (not visible in the illustration in FIG. 2), which can be supplied with gas by the first gas distribution system 1 via further channels.

(17) The adapter sleeve 10 furthermore has a second gas distribution system 2, of which only a channel 22 extending in the axial direction is visible in the view in FIG. 2. The second gas distribution system 2 is connected to the first gas distribution system 1 via connecting channels 24 and a gas control unit 8. Starting from the gas inlet 6, gas can be passed via the first gas distribution system 1 and the gas control unit 8 to the second gas distribution system 2. A gas flow to the second gas distribution system 2 can be enabled or blocked by means of the gas control unit 8.

(18) FIG. 3 shows schematically a longitudinal section of the adapter sleeve 10 of the second embodiment.

(19) As already described with reference to FIG. 2, the adapter sleeve 10 has a sleeve body with a deformable base layer 3, an intermediate layer 4 and a top layer 5. The outer lateral surface 30 of the adapter sleeve 10 is formed by the outer side of the top layer 5, and the inner lateral surface 32 of the adapter sleeve 10 is formed by the outer surface of the base layer 3.

(20) The gas inlet 6 is embodied in the form of an opening in the deformable base layer 3, preferably as a radially encircling ring of openings. A channel 20 extending in the radial direction extends in the deformable base layer 3 and the intermediate layer 4 and connects the gas inlet 6 to the first gas distribution system 1.

(21) The first gas distribution system 1 comprises a plurality of channels 20, 22, of which only a channel 20 extending in the radial direction to the first gas outlet 7 is visible in FIG. 3. The adapter sleeve 10 has further first gas outlets 7 (not visible in the illustration in FIG. 3), which can be supplied with gas by the first gas distribution system 1 via further channels and are preferably configured as an encircling ring of openings. Gas flowing out of the first gas outlets 7 can be used to produce an air cushion, which allows a hollow cylinder to be mounted easily on the adapter sleeve 10.

(22) The adapter sleeve 10 furthermore has a second gas distribution system 2. The second gas distribution system 2 is connected to the first gas distribution system 1 via the gas control unit 8 and has a channel 22 extending in the axial direction and a radial channel 20 extending in the radial direction in the direction of the deformable base layer 3.

(23) The radially extending channel 20 of the second gas distribution system 2 forms a cavity 12, which adjoins the deformable base layer 3. If pressurized gas is fed to the second gas distribution system 2 via the gas inlet 6 and the gas control unit 8, pressure can be built up in the cavity 12 by inflowing gas. The pressurized gas in the cavity 12 exerts a force on the deformable base sleeve 3, which brings about a deformation of the base sleeve 3 and hence a reduction in the internal diameter of the adapter sleeve 10. If the adapter sleeve 10 is mounted on a cylinder, the reduction in the internal diameter brings about clamping of the adapter sleeve 10 on the cylinder.

(24) FIG. 4 shows schematically a longitudinal section of the adapter sleeve 10 of a third embodiment.

(25) As already described with reference to FIG. 2, the adapter sleeve 10 has a sleeve body with a deformable base layer 3, an intermediate layer 4 and a top layer 5. In contrast to the second embodiment in FIGS. 2 and 3, the adapter sleeve 10 of the third embodiment has a gas connection 13 as a gas inlet 6 at one of the ends. Via the gas connection 13, it is possible to connect a compressed air line to the adapter sleeve 10, for example.

(26) The gas connection 13 is connected to the gas control unit 8. The gas control unit 8 can enable or block a gas flow from the gas connection 13 to the first gas distribution system and to the second gas distribution system 2 as well as to a third gas distribution system 11.

(27) The first gas distribution system 1 comprises a plurality of channels 20, 22, of which only a channel 20 extending in the radial direction to the first gas outlet 7 is visible in FIG. 4. The adapter sleeve 10 has further first gas outlets 7 (not visible in the illustration in FIG. 4), which can be supplied with gas by the first gas distribution system 1 via further channels. Gas flowing out of the first gas outlets 7 can be used to produce an air cushion, which allows a hollow cylinder to be mounted easily on the adapter sleeve 10. By means of the gas control unit 8, the air cushion can be influenced by controllering the gas flow.

(28) The second gas distribution system has a channel 22 extending in the axial direction and a radial channel 20 extending in the radial direction in the direction of the deformable base layer 3. The radially extending channel 20 of the second gas distribution system 2 forms a cavity 12, which adjoins the deformable base layer 3. If pressurized gas is fed to the second gas distribution system 2 via the gas connection 13 and the gas control unit 8, pressure can be built up in the cavity 12 by inflowing gas. The pressurized gas in the cavity 12 exerts a force on the deformable base sleeve 3, which brings about a deformation of the base sleeve 3 and hence a reduction in the internal diameter of the adapter sleeve 10. If the adapter sleeve 10 is mounted on a cylinder, the reduction in the internal diameter brings about clamping of the adapter sleeve 10 on the cylinder.

(29) The adapter sleeve 10 of the third embodiment, which is shown in FIG. 4, has a third gas distribution system 11, of which a channel 22 extending in the axial direction and a channel 20 extending in the radial direction are visible in the illustration in FIG. 4. The radially extending channel 20 connects the third gas distribution system 11 to a second gas outlet 9, which is formed on the inner side of the adapter sleeve 10 as an opening in the deformable base layer 3. The adapter sleeve 10 has further second gas outlets 9, which are not visible in FIG. 4. If a gas is fed to the third gas distribution system 11 by appropriate activation of the gas control unit 8, this is passed to the second gas outlets 9 and flows out there. The gas flowing out at the second gas outlets 9 creates an air cushion on the inner side of the adapter sleeve 10, which enables the adapter sleeve 10 to be mounted easily on a cylinder.

(30) FIG. 5 shows schematically a longitudinal section of the adapter sleeve 10 of a fourth embodiment. The adapter sleeve 10 illustrated in FIG. 5 corresponds to the adapter sleeve 10 of the second embodiment, which is described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, wherein the cavity 12 is configured as a radially encircling hollowed-out region 26 in the intermediate layer 4 between the deformable base layer 3 and the mouth of a channel 20, extending in the radial direction, of the second gas distribution system 2. The hollowed-out region 26 makes it possible to exert pressure on the deformable base layer 3 over a larger area, thus ensuring that a reduction in the internal diameter of the adapter sleeve 10 takes place over a larger area.

(31) FIG. 6 shows schematically a longitudinal section of the adapter sleeve 10 of a fifth embodiment. The adapter sleeve 10 illustrated in FIG. 6 corresponds to the adapter sleeve 10 of the third embodiment, which is described with reference to FIG. 4, wherein the cavity 12 is configured as a radially encircling hollowed-out region 26 in the intermediate layer 4 between the deformable base layer 3 and the mouth of a channel 20, extending in the radial direction, of the second gas distribution system 2. The hollowed-out region 26 makes it possible to exert pressure on the deformable base layer 3 over a larger area, thus ensuring that a reduction in the internal diameter of the adapter sleeve 10 takes place over a larger area.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

(32) 1 first gas distribution system

(33) 2 second gas distribution system

(34) 3 deformable base sleeve

(35) 4 intermediate layer

(36) 5 top layer

(37) 6 gas inlet

(38) 7 first gas outlet

(39) 8 gas control unit

(40) 9 second gas outlet

(41) 10 adapter sleeve

(42) 11 third gas distribution system

(43) 12 optional cavity

(44) 13 gas connection

(45) 20 channel

(46) 22 channel in the longitudinal direction

(47) 24 connecting channel

(48) 26 hollowed-out region

(49) 30 outer lateral surface

(50) 32 inner lateral surface