DOME COVER

Abstract

A dome cover assembly for automatically opening and closing a through-opening. The dome cover includes at least one reach-around element on one of a cover and flange. The reach-around element at least partially encloses, in a first rotational position, the other of the cover and the flange on a side facing away from the first element. The other of the cover and flange has a recess and, in the first rotational position, the reach-around element engages behind the recess in a first distanced position of the cover and the flange. The reach-around element does not engage behind the recess in a second closer position of the cover and the flange.

Claims

1. A dome cover assembly comprising: a flange having a through-opening; and a cover for closing the through-opening; wherein the cover is rotatably mounted around an axis in relation to the flange, so that in a first rotational position, the cover is positioned above the through-opening, and in a second rotational position, the cover is positioned so that the through-opening is free; wherein one of the cover and flange has a reach-around element which, in a first rotational position at least partially encloses the other of the cover and flange on a side facing away from the one of the cover and flange, and the other of the cover and flange has a recess on the side facing away from the one of the cover and flange in a direction of the one of the cover and flange; wherein the reach-around element and the recess are arranged such that, in the first rotational position, in a first distant position of the cover and flange, the reach-around element engages behind the recess or into the recess, and in the first rotational position, in a second closer position of the cover and flange, the reach-around element does not engage behind the recess; wherein the recess at least partially does not extend up to a margin of the other of the cover and flange or the axis; wherein the other of the cover and flange and the reach-around element are arranged such that the reach-around element passes over at least a section of the recess during the rotation from the first rotational position into the second rotational position; and wherein before the passing over, there is a greater distance between the side of the other of the cover and flange facing away from the one of the cover and flange than after the passing over.

2. The dome cover assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the engaging of the reach-around element behind the recess prevents the rotation of the cover around the axis out of the first rotational position and into the second rotational position.

3. The dome cover assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the other of the cover and flange has an indentation which is spit-shaped, wherein the spit opens in one direction that is in a plane parallel to a plane in which the through-opening is arranged, or the opening is arranged such that the reach-around element is moved through the through-opening into the indentation during the rotation of the cover in relation to the flange from the second rotational positional and into the first rotational position, or the opening has an opening angle of less than 180°.

4. The dome cover assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the reach-around element has a longitudinal extension or a longitudinal section, wherein a projection for at least partially reaching around the spit-shaped indentation or for engaging in the recess on the other of the cover and flange, is arranged on a section of the longitudinal extension or the longitudinal section, wherein the projection has a width, measured perpendicularly to the longitudinal extension or to the longitudinal section of the reach-around element which is wider than a width of the reach-around element over 25% of the longitudinal extension or longitudinal section.

5. The dome cover assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein at least one section or at least one section of an edge or at least one section located toward the indentation or the opening of the indentation, of the recess not extending up to the margin is passed over by the reach-around element, during the rotation from the first rotational position of the cover into the second rotational position of the cover in relation to the flange, wherein the at least one section has a length or a circular arc section length of at least 1 cm or at least 10% of the width or the circular arc section of at least 10°.

6. The dome cover assembly claim 1, wherein the rotatable mounting, in addition to the rotation, also enables movement between the first distant position and the second closer position and the movement between the first distant position and the second closer position is a movement at least partially along the axis of the rotation between the first rotational position and the second rotational position or the rotatable mounting.

7. The dome cover assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the distance between the first distant position and the second closer position is from about 700 mm up to about 800 mm or the rotation between the first distant position and the second closer position is a rotation by from about 90° up to about 100° or, in the first distant position, there is a distance of from about 5 mm up to about 15 mm between the flange and the cover or in the second closer position, the distance between the flange and the cover is from about 5 mm up to about 7 mm, or the recess has a height in the range of from about 1 mm up to about 3 mm or wherein the reach-around element has a corresponding recess or projection in the range of from about 4 mm up to about 6 mm, or the recess extends from the flange or the cover or the reach-around element extends in parallel to the rotational axis of the rotatable mounting or to the axis of the rotation between the first rotational position and the second rotational position or wherein the through-opening has a size of from about DN400 up to about DN800 or a diameter of about 380 mm up to about 780 mm.

8. The dome cover assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein a plurality of auxiliary clamps is provided, which are each connected to the one of the cover and flange or extend around at least 30% of an external circumference of the one of the cover and flange, wherein the plurality of auxiliary clamps is arranged, in the first rotational position, to at least partially enclose the other of the cover and flange, on which the plurality of auxiliary clamps is not arranged, on the side facing away from the the one of the cover and flange on which the respective auxiliary clamp is arranged.

9. The dome cover assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flange or cover is fixed having a radial play between 0.02 and 0.08 mm, or having a play in the longitudinal direction of the axis between 0.1 and 0.5 mm on the axis, or the axis, the flange, or the cover is arranged such that they enable a tilt of the flange or the cover in relation to the axis having a value in the range of 0.5° to 1°.

10. The dome cover assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the one of the flange and cover has a hollow seal arranged toward the other of the flange and cover, wherein the hollow seal has a cavity for application of gas or fluid, and the dome cover assembly includes a means for introducing the gas or the fluid into the cavity via a feedthrough through the one of the flange and cover.

11. The dome cover assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the flange or cover is formed from EN AW-5086, AW-5083, and/or AW-6082, is corrosion adapted or made of an alloy containing, in addition to aluminum, Cr: 0.05-0.25 mass-percent, Cu: maximum 0.15 mass-percent, Fe: maximum 0.50 mass-percent, in particular 0.4-0.5 mass-percent, Mg: 3.5-5 mass-percent, Mn: 0.2-1 mass-percent, Si: maximum 0.60 mass-percent, Ti: maximum 0.2 mass-percent, and Zn: maximum 0.3 mass-percent or the flange or cover is cast.

12. The dome cover assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the dome cover assembly is arranged so as to not extend into a dome opening of a tank or vessel, which the dome cover assembly closes, or the dome cover assembly is configured to be pressure-tight or pressure-resistant, so as not to impair unloading of the tank or vessel through another opening by means of pressurizing the tank or vessel.

13. A tank or vessel having a dome opening and the dome cover assembly of claim 1 arranged on the dome opening, wherein the dome opening and the through-opening at least partially align or form a joint continuous opening, and wherein the dome cover assembly is arranged to completely close the dome opening in the first rotational position.

14. The tank or vessel as claimed in claim 13, wherein the dome cover assembly does not extend into the tank or vessel or wherein the tank or vessel has a means for pressurizing the tank or vessel or for applying and venting gas fluid to or from a cavity of a hollow seal of one of the flange or cover of the dome cover assembly.

15. The tank or vessel as claimed in claim 13, designed for unloading by pressurizing the tank or vessel.

16. A tank or vessel vehicle having the tank or vessel as claimed in claim 13.

17. The tank or vessel vehicle as claimed in claim 16, having a device for pressurizing the tank or vessel or a device for applying and venting gas or fluid to or from a cavity of a hollow seal of one of the flange or cover of the dome cover assembly.

18. A method for preventing opening of a dome cover of a tank or vessel, wherein by means of at least one reach-around element arranged on one of the dome cover and a flange of the tank or vessel and a recess arranged on the other of the dome cover and the flange of the tank or vessel, the opening or a rotation for opening is prevented by the at least one reach-around element engaging behind the recess in a first distant position of the dome cover and the tank or vessel, wherein the recess at least partially does not extend up to a margin of the other of the dome cover and the flange of the tank or vessel or the at least one reach-around element passes over at least a section of the recess during the rotation for opening or during opening, wherein before the passing over, a greater distance is measured between a side of the other of the dome cover and the flange of the tank or vessel facing away from the one of the dome cover and the flange of the tank or vessel and a projection or the reach-around element than after the passing over, and wherein in a second closer position of the dome cover and the tank or vessel, the at least one reach-around element does not engage behind the recess.

19. The dome cover assembly of claim 1, wherein the reach around element is an anchor or a clamp.

20. The dome cover assembly as claimed in claim 6, wherein the movement between the first distant position and the second closer position further comprises tilting the cover or flange in relation to the axis.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

[0073] Further advantages and features of the invention result by way of example from the following description of an exemplary embodiment on the basis of the appended schematic figures. In the figures:

[0074] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a dome cover assembly according to the invention,

[0075] FIG. 2 shows a cross section through a clamp and a cover in the first, distant position of cover and flange from FIG. 1,

[0076] FIG. 3a shows a longitudinal section of flange, cover, and auxiliary clamp in the second, closer position of cover and flange,

[0077] FIG. 3b shows a longitudinal section of flange, cover, and auxiliary clamp in the first, distant position of cover and flange,

[0078] FIG. 4a shows a cross section through an auxiliary clamp, a flange, and a cover in the second, closer position of cover and flange,

[0079] FIG. 4b shows a cross section through an auxiliary clamp, a flange, and a cover in the first, distant position of cover and flange,

[0080] FIG. 5 shows a cross section through a hollow seal,

[0081] FIG. 6 shows a cross section through the rotational axis,

[0082] FIG. 7 shows a perspective top view of a second exemplary embodiment of a dome cover assembly according to the invention,

[0083] FIG. 8a shows a cross section through parts of a cover and a reach-around element of the second exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7,

[0084] FIG. 8b shows a top view of a section of the lower side of the flange from the second exemplary embodiment of FIG. 7, showing the recess which does not extend up to the margin.

[0085] In the figures, identical elements are provided with identical reference signs.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0086] FIG. 1 shows an advantageous first exemplary embodiment of a dome cover assembly according to the invention in a top view of the cover 1. The dome cover assembly is shown in the first rotational position. The flange 2 is shown below the cover 1. The flange 2 surrounds and encloses the dome opening (not shown) or the through-opening. Such a flange 2 is typically arranged on a tank or vessel (not shown). The cover 1 completely covers, in the first rotational position, the dome opening or the through-opening, whereby the dome opening or through-opening is closed, in particular in a fluid-tight manner or so it is impermeable to gas. The cover 1 is rotatable around the rotational axis 6 in relation to the flange 2 and the first arm 9 arranged on the flange, and thus in relation to the dome opening or through-opening. An actuator 15 can be used for this purpose. This is connected at its ends, a first end, to a second arm 10, which is arranged on the cover 1, and another end, a second end, which is opposite to the first end, to a third arm 11, which is arranged on the flange 2. The actuator comprises in particular a linear drive, which changes its longitudinal extension upon activation of the actuator, so that the second arm 10 is moved in relation to the third arm 11, whereby the cover 1 rotates around the rotational axis 6 in relation to the flange 2 and the through-opening or dome opening is opened or becomes free. The opening direction of the cover is as shown in FIG. 1 here.

[0087] A clamp 3, as an embodiment of the reach-around element according to the invention, and two auxiliary clamps 4 are arranged on the flange 2. Three auxiliary clamps 5 are arranged on the cover 1. The three auxiliary clamps 5 are arranged on a circular sector of the cover 1, which circular sector corresponds to the circular sector of the surface of the cover 1 which corresponds to half of the circle of the surface of the cover 1, which half is the half of the surface of the cover 1 which goes in the direction of the opening direction. It is ensured by this arrangement of the three auxiliary clamps 5 within this circular sector that the cover 1 may be moved into the second rotational position, since it also moves the auxiliary clamps 5. The clamps 3, and also the auxiliary clamps 4, are arranged in a circular sector which lies on the other half of the circle. This prevents the dome cover assembly from being able to be rotated/moved out of the second rotational position beyond the first rotational position.

[0088] A detail illustration of a clamp 3 according to the invention and a cover 1 is shown in FIG. 2 by means of a cross section through a part of the clamp 3 and the cover 1 along the section line A-B from FIG. 1. The clamp 3 is arranged on the flange 2 (not shown) and is connected thereto, for example, by means of screws (not shown). The clamp 3 engages with a projection located at its end behind a part of the cover, in that the clamp 3 engages with this end in a recess 7, which is not extending up to the margin, of the cover 1. It is ensured by the recess 7, which is not extending up to the margin, that the clamp 3 cannot slide off of the cover 1 in the direction of the margin of the cover. The cover 1 is thus fixed by means of the clamp 3 in such a way that it is restricted in its rotational movement around the flange 2 or the bolt, or this movement is prevented. However, it is also possible in principle that the clamp 3 would be arranged on the cover 1 and thus the clamp 3 engages in a recess 7, which is not extending up to the margin, of the flange 2. Such a clamp is to be arranged in the other half of the circle than that shown in FIG. 1, however, so that the dome cover assembly is prevented from being able to be rotated/moved from the second rotational position beyond the first rotational position, and so that the dome cover assembly can be moved from the first rotational position into the second rotational position.

[0089] In FIG. 2, the arrangement in the distant position is shown. By lowering the cover 1 into the closer position, the engagement of the clamp behind the recess of the cover 1 can be canceled.

[0090] The cover 1 first tapers starting from the thickness or height shown on the left in FIG. 2 to the right and thus forms a recess. It is not necessary for it to be embodied in one piece. The region of greater thickness or height could also be implemented, for example, by screwing on a bar or bracket, for example. In FIG. 2, the cover thickens again in the further course to the right. However, this is not necessarily required.

[0091] FIGS. 3a and 3b each show a section through the cover and the flange in a top view of an auxiliary clamp 4, arranged on the flange 2. The cover 1 and the flange 2 are in the first rotational position, thus in the position in which the cover 1 covers the dome opening or through-opening. The seal arranged between cover and flange is not shown.

[0092] In the exemplary embodiment, the cover has a recess at the end, in which the auxiliary clamp 4 can engage and thus receives a lateral guide in the figure and thus further stabilizes the assembly.

[0093] In FIG. 3a, the state during the second, closer position between cover 1 and flange 2 is shown. In FIG. 3b, the state during the first, distant position between cover 1 and flange 2 is shown.

[0094] The auxiliary clamps from FIGS. 3a and 3b are again shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b. These auxiliary clamps 4 differ from the auxiliary clamps 5 in that the auxiliary clamp 4 is fastened on the flange 2, whereas auxiliary clamps 5 are fastened on the cover, see also FIG. 1 in this regard. In FIG. 4a, the state of the second, closer position of cover and flange is shown, in FIG. 4b, the state of the first, distant position of cover and flange is shown, both in the first rotational position in each case.

[0095] The auxiliary clamp 4, arranged on the flange 2, partially encloses and surrounds the side of the cover 1 facing away from the flange 2. The cover has the optional recess at the end here, in which the auxiliary clamp 4 engages in FIG. 4b. Due to the second, closer position of cover 1 and flange 2 in FIG. 4a, however, the cover is not restricted or limited by the auxiliary clamp 4 and the auxiliary clamp does not engage in the recess at the end, arranged on the cover 1.

[0096] The cover 1 and the flange 2 can be moved from the second, closer position of cover 1 and flange 2 due to an overpressure in a container below the cover 1, whereby a through-opening thereof is surrounded by the flange 2, in the first, distant position of cover 1 and flange 2.

[0097] In an overlapping region of the cover 1 and flange 2 located in the first rotational position, a hollow seal 12 is arranged on the cover 1, which extends in the direction of flange 2 and which is arranged on the side of the cover 1 facing toward the flange 2. A line, for example a gas line (not shown), is guided to this hollow seal 12. The hollow seal 12 is designed having a cavity 17, which can be filled with a fluid, for example air, by means of the line or emptied, in particular deaerated. It is designed together with the cover 1 and the flange 2 to completely close the dome opening or the through-opening, for example, of a container, a tank, vessel, or a tank or vessel vehicle, in the first rotational position, at least in the second, closer position but in particular also in the first, distant position of cover 1 and flange 2. For this purpose, the hollow seal is arranged completely enclosing the through-opening or dome opening or along the entire circumference of the flange 2, but not necessarily in the region of the largest circumference. It is also possible that due to pressurizing, thus filling of the cavity 17 of the hollow seal 12, the hollow seal alone assists or effectuates the movement of the cover 1 from the second, closer position of covered 1 and flange 2 into the first, remote position of cover 1 and flange 2. In FIG. 4b, the first, remote position of cover 1 and flange 2 is shown, wherein no pressurizing of the hollow seal 12 is present or the cavity 17 of the hollow seal 12 was emptied or the fluid located therein, for example air, was discharged and/or suctioned off, so that the hollow seal 12 does not extend up to the side of the flange 2 facing toward the cover 1.

[0098] The hollow seal 12 from FIGS. 4a and 4b is shown in a detail view in FIG. 5. A line (not shown) on the hollow seal 12 enables emptying or filling with fluid, for example air, of the cavity 17, so that the lower part of the hollow seal 12 moves relative to the upper part of the hollow seal 12, which is arranged fixed in the cover 1, as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b.

[0099] A detailed illustration of the parts located on the axis of rotation between first and second rotational position, thus the rotational axis 6, is shown in FIG. 6 by means of a cross sectional illustration through the rotational axis 6. A bolt 18 acting as an axis is arranged in the rotational axis 6, which is guided through both a round opening of the first arm 9, arranged on the flange 2, and also through a round opening of the second arm 10, arranged on the cover 1. A castle nut 13 holding the bolt 18 is arranged on a part of the bolt 18 protruding beyond the second arm 10, through which in turn a split pin 14 is guided for fixing the castle nut 13 with the bolt 18 and preventing the rotation of the castle nut 13 in relation to the bolt 18. The guiding of the split pin 14 through the castle nut 13 takes place through one of multiple grooves arranged in the castle nut 13 and a drilled hole through the bolt. At the other end of the bolt, it is secured using a lock ring 19.

[0100] By rotating the castle nut before securing it using the split pin 14 and subsequently securing it using the split pin, a desired play can be set, whereby the maximum distance between cover 1 and flange 2 at the bolt along the rotational axis 6 may be set in the first, distant position of cover 1 and flange 2. Washers are arranged between the flange and cover on the bolt to set the distance between the flange and cover. By selecting the openings in cover and flange in relation to the diameter of the bolt and selecting the thickness of the washers and the maximum distance, the maximum tilt of cover and flange in relation to one another and the linear movement along the rotational axis may be set and thus the maximum movement between first, distant and second, closer position may be fixed.

[0101] FIG. 7 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a dome cover assembly according to the invention, in which, inter alia, instead of a typical clamp as the reach-around element 3, a rotationally-symmetrical clamp 3 or an anchor 3 or a locking bolt 3 is used. This locking bolt 3 is arranged on the cover in this embodiment. The dome cover assembly is shown in the second rotational position of the cover, in which the through-opening 24 is released, so that the access to a tank is enabled, for example. During the rotation of the cover 1 from the second into the first rotational position of the cover, the reach-around element 3 is moved into a receptacle, a spit-shaped indentation 22 here. Furthermore, this exemplary embodiment has a pivot axis, using which the cover can also be pivoted in relation to the flange around the pivot axis 25, in addition to the rotation around the axis 6, and thus, for example, can be folded open and closed. A simple access to the cover lower side is enabled in this way.

[0102] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, two spit-shaped indentations 22 are arranged on the flange 2, wherein the openings of the spit, in particular the opening width, the opening angle, and/or the opening direction, is and/or are each designed and arranged in such a way that during a rotation of the cover 1 from the second into the first rotational position, one reach-around element 3 is moved in each case through the opening of the respective spit into the spit-shaped indentation 22. For this purpose, the spit-shaped indentations 22 are arranged adjoining an outer edge of the flange and each have an opening toward the margin of the flange. Furthermore, an auxiliary clamp 4 is arranged on the flange 2, which is designed bar-shaped. In this way, the first rotational position is delimited in at least one direction. The auxiliary clamp 4 is furthermore designed in such a way that the translational movement along the axis 6 away from the closer position is restricted and/or prevented thereby in the first rotational position in the distant position. This increases the stability and the possible pressure load of the dome cover assembly. This is advantageous in particular if a pivot axis 25 is provided, but also in general to save material on the axis 6 and the pivot arm.

[0103] FIG. 8a shows, not to scale, a cross section of a detail illustration of the reach-around element 3 of FIG. 7 arranged on the cover 1. Details are also shown of the cover 1 and the flange 2 in the closer position in the first rotational position. The reach-around element 3 is, for example, a bolt 3, which is connected and fastened to the cover in a connection section 22 of the cover 1 in a rotationally-fixed and rigid manner, for example, by means of a thread and a nut at one end of the bolt 3. In the exemplary embodiment, the longitudinal direction of this reach-around element 3, the bolt 3, extends with its spacing section and its spacing section arranged between connection section and projection orthogonally to the surface extension of the cover 1. At the other end, the end opposite to the nut, of the bolt 3, it has a projection, for example in the form of a head and a washer. This projection is spaced apart from the connection section to form a spacer section, wherein the distance between projection and connection section during the rotation and upon opening, sealing, and closing remains unchanged and/or is unchangeable. In the arrangement shown, the spacer section of the bolt 3 surrounded by the sleeve has been moved through the opening of the spit-shaped indentation 22 by rotation from the second into the first rotational position.

[0104] During the movement from the closer position shown into the distant position, by moving the cover 1 upward in the drawing, the projection 20 of the bolt enters the recess, which does not extend up to the margin, on the flange. The projection of the bolt 3 thus engages in the recess 7, which does not extend up to the margin. In this way, a formfitting connection takes place between projection and recess, which does not extend up to the margin, for example, in that the outline of the projection terminates flush with the delimitation, the edge 23, of the recess, which does not extend up to the margin.

[0105] FIG. 8b shows a top view of the recess, which does not extend up to the margin, of the dome cover assembly according to the exemplary embodiment from FIG. 7. The lower side is shown, thus the side of the flange facing away from the cover, which has the recess, which does not extend up to the margin. The recess, which does not extend up to the margin, is designed here in such a way that its contour and/or outline and/or edges 23 at least partially enclose, namely by greater than 180° or approximately 250°, the opening of an indentation 22, the spit-shaped indentation 22 here. In relation to the opening, a part of the recess is possibly at the margin, but not in relation to the flange, which is important here. The recess is spaced apart in all directions from the outer edge or the margin of the flange, and thus does not extend up to the margin. Therefore, no recess is arranged at the outermost margin edges of the flange. The recess, which thus does not extend up to the margin, has an edge or a section of the edge of the recess, which does not extend up to the margin, which is oriented in the direction of the opening and/or is located toward the indentation and/or toward the opening of the indentation. During a rotation of the cover from the first rotational position in the direction of the second rotational position, the reach-around element, in particular its projection, has to pass over this edge or this section. The passed-over circular arc section of the edge is identified by pie-shaped dashed circular segments. However, passing over is only possible in the second, closer position of the cover since in the first, distant position of the cover, the reach-around element, in particular the projection, is blocked in its rotational direction by the edge and/or the section, in particular due to a formfitting connection between projection and edge and/or a section of the edge of the recess, which does not extend up to the margin.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

[0106] 1 cover [0107] 2 flange [0108] 3 reach-around element [0109] 4 auxiliary clamp [0110] 5 auxiliary clamp [0111] 6 rotational axis [0112] 7 recess, not at the margin [0113] 8 gas introduction means [0114] 9 first arm [0115] 10 second arm [0116] 11 third arm [0117] 12 hollow seal [0118] 13 castle nut [0119] 14 split pin [0120] 15 actuator [0121] 16 recess [0122] 17 cavity [0123] 18 bolt [0124] 19 lock ring [0125] 20 head of the reach-around element [0126] 21 connection section [0127] 22 spit-shaped indentation [0128] 23 edge of the recess, which does not extend up to the margin [0129] 24 through-opening [0130] 25 pivot axis [0131] 26 outer edge