DEVICE FOR CONNECTING A GAS-CARRYING PIPE ELEMENT AND METHOD FOR CONNECTING A GAS-CARRYING PIPE ELEMENT

Abstract

The present invention relates to a device 100 for connecting a gas-conducting conduit element 1, in particular a hydrogen-conducting conduit element, to a counterpart 2, in particular a component, comprising: at least one screw body 10, which is configured to be brought into tight engagement, in particular into gas-tight engagement, with the counterpart 2; a first seal 3, which is in the form of a valve body 3a which is configured to be brought into contact, in particular into gas-tight contact, with a valve seat 4 provided on the counterpart 2, or which is in the form of a flat seal; and a second seal 5 which operates on a sealing effect principle according to which the sealing effect is exerted or deployed irrespective of an axial displacement, in particular in an installation direction E, which is necessary for creating the sealing effect of the first seal 3.

Claims

1. A device for connecting a gas-conducting conduit element to a counterpart component, comprising: at least one screw body, which is configured to be brought into engagement with the counterpart, a first seal, which is in the form of valve body which is configured to be brought into contact with a valve seat provided on the counterpart, or which is in the form of a flat seal, and a second seal, which operates on a sealing effect principle according to which the sealing effect is exerted irrespective of an axial displacement, which is necessary for creating the sealing effect of the first seal (3).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first seal is formed as a metal seal or curved-surface seal, and/or the second seal is formed as a radial seal, a resilient seal, an O-ring, a delta ring, a liquid seal and the like, and/or the second seal is disposed after the first seal in an outflow direction (A) of a gas flowing out from the gas-conducting conduit element which is leaking through the first seal.

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the valve body at least partially has a conical shape, rounded shape, spherical shape or globular shape, and/or the valve seat provided in the counterpart has a tapered shape.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein the first seal is formed on an end face of the screw body and/or the second seal is provided or formed on a peripheral surface of the screw body.

5. The device according to claim 1, wherein the valve body and the valve seat are formed in such a way that an annular contact surface is formed, wherein a central axis of the valve seat and a central axis of the valve body are disposed parallel to one another, and the valve body is displaceable parallel to the two central axes.

6. The device according to claim 1, further comprising at least one fluid channel having an open end which is provided between the first seal and the second seal and which is configured to detect a gas flowing out from the gas-conducting conduit element which is leaking through the first seal.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein the at least one fluid channel is formed in the screw body and/or in the counterpart.

8. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device, is configured to perform a purely translatory movement, during the creation of the gas-tight connection between the screw body and the counterpart.

9. The device according to claim 1, wherein the screw body is provided with at least two, through-holes for receiving fastening screws, wherein the through-holes are provided on a flange projection of the screw body, and the through-holes are disposed behind the two seals in an outflow direction (A) of a gas flowing out from the gas-conducting conduit element which is leaking through the first seal.

10. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a third seal, which is formed as a radial seal, a resilient seal, an O-ring, a delta ring, or a liquid seal, wherein the third seal is disposed after the first seal or after the second seal in an outflow direction of a gas flowing out from the gas-conducting conduit element which is leaking through the first seal.

11. The device according to claim 1, further comprising a second fluid channel having an open end which is provided between the second seal and the third seal and which is configured to detect a gas flowing out from the gas-conducting conduit element which is leaking through the first seal and through the second seal.

12. The device according to claim 1, wherein the gas-conducting conduit element is connected in a gas-tight manner to the screw body by way of a welded connection.

13. The device according to claim 1, wherein in the sealed state the valve body of the first seal is pressed against the valve seat formed in the counterpart via a screw connection.

14. The device according to claim 1, wherein the valve body, and/or the valve seat is made from a metal, wherein the valve seat is made of a harder material than the valve body.

15. The device according to claim 1, wherein the at least one fluid channel, is channelled into a common sensor chamber in which a gas sensor for detecting gas is disposed.

16. A method for connecting a gas-conducting conduit element to a counterpart, using the device according to claim 1, comprising: inserting a screw body into a complementarily formed recess of the counterpart, tightly screwing the screw body to the counterpart by means of a screw connection, wherein a first seal is brought into a sealed state by pressing a valve body of the first seal against a valve seat provided in the counterpart, and a second seal, which operates on a sealing effect principle according to which the sealing effect is exerted irrespective of an axial displacement, which is necessary for creating the sealing effect of the first seal, is brought into a sealed state, between the screw body and the recess.

17. The method according to claim 16, further comprising a leakage detection step, wherein an open end of a fluid channel is disposed between the first seal and the second seal and the other end of the fluid channel opens into a sensor chamber in which a gas sensor is disposed; if now a leak is present at the first seal, the leaking gas flowing or leaking out from the first conduit element flows into the fluid channel and through this into the sensor chamber, wherein the gas sensor detects the gas, flowing into the sensor chamber and thus detects a leak at the first seal.

18. The device according to claim 1, wherein the gas-conducting conduit element is a hydrogen-conducting conduit element.

19. The device according to claim 1, wherein the valve body is configured to be brought into gas-tight contact with the valve seat.

20. The device according to claim 4, wherein the screw body is a cylindrical screw body.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0041] Further features and advantages of a device, a use and/or a method are set out in the following description of embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings. In these drawings:

[0042] FIG. 1 schematically shows a known device for connecting a gas-conducting conduit element to a counterpart, and

[0043] FIG. 2 simplifies an embodiment of a device according to the invention for connecting a gas-conducting conduit element to a counterpart.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0044] Identical reference numbers that are used in different figures designate identical, corresponding or functionally similar elements.

[0045] FIG. 1 schematically shows a known device 200 for connecting a gas-conducting conduit element 201 to a counterpart (not shown). The connection device shown in FIG. 1 is a ferrule-type connection device. As shown, such connection devices 200 comprise a threaded coupling nut 202, a threaded coupling body 203 and one or more ferrules 204, 205 which are fitted inside the coupling nut 202. The coupling body 203 normally has a contact surface 206 which is engaged with, or can be brought into engagement with, a contact surface on a ferrule. A cylindrical conduit, such as a pipe end of the gas-conducting conduit element 201, is inserted into the coupling body 203, with the ferrules 204, 205 tightly or closely surrounding the outer wall of the conduit end. If the coupling nut 202 is installed at the thread end of the coupling body, an axial force will be exerted on the ferrules 204, 205, which causes the contact surfaces of each of the ferrules and the body to engage such that a compressive effect is created, as a result of which a radial displacement of sections of the ferrules 204, 205 causes them to tightly hold the outer wall of the conduit end 201. In many applications, the adapter can be assembled using simple hand tools such as wrenches, for example.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows in a simplified manner an embodiment of a device 100 according to the invention for connecting a gas-conducting conduit element 1 to a counterpart 2, wherein the embodiment shown is a part of a valve block, such as a gas handling unit, for example. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the device 100 shown consists of a cylindrical screw body 10 which extends longitudinally along an installation direction E. In the embodiment shown, the conduit element 1 to be connected is welded onto an end face of the screw body 10 facing the counterpart 2; as shown, the welding seam 9 is formed so as to be slightly larger to ensure that it is gas-tight.

[0047] Furthermore, the screw body 10 comprises a flange projection 10c on the end face facing the counterpart 2, which projection is provided with four through-holes radially spaced in the peripheral direction, in particular spaced at an angle of 90° to one another. As can also be seen from FIG. 2, the counterpart 2 comprises four complementarily arranged threaded holes, with which the screw body 10 can be screwed against the counterpart 2 by means of four clamping screws and fastened thereto.

[0048] A valve body 3a, which forms a part or region of the screw body 10, is formed on the other end face, i.e. the end face facing the counterpart 2, of the screw body 10. In the embodiment shown here, the valve body 3a is formed so as to have a conical shape.

[0049] The counterpart 2 is formed with a recess 2a, which has a complementary shape to the cylindrical shape of the screw body 10, in particular a cylindrical shape, and forms a clearance fit with said screw body 10 when the screw body 10 is introduced or inserted. At the bottom or inner end of the recess 2a a valve seat 4 is formed, which has a conical shape so as to be complementary to the valve body 3a, wherein the precise contour, angle and the like of the two elements 3a, 4 depend on the application in question, in particular the relevant operating pressure, the materials of the two elements and the like. The valve body 3a could also be formed so as to be arched or globular. What is important is that an annular contact surface is formed between the two elements.

[0050] As can also be seen from FIG. 2, the screw body 10 comprises two annular circumferential grooves provided on the cylindrical peripheral surface 10a, in which O-rings are inserted as the second and third seals 3, 5, in particular resilient seals, and abut against a cylindrical inner wall of the recess 2a of the counterpart 2 in a gas-tight manner.

[0051] If the screw body 10 is now inserted into the recess 2a and is fastened to the counterpart 2 by means of clamping screws, the valve body 3a is pressed against the valve seat 4, as a result of which a gas-tight connection or a gas-tight seal (first seal) is formed between the valve body 3a and the valve seat 4; this is also referred to as a metal seal. Two additional seals (so-called safety seals) are provided by means of the second and third seals, which are only used in the event that the first seal 3 forms a leak. In other words, the second and third seals 5, 8 only have to provide a sealing function in the event that the first seal starts to leak. Accordingly, the second seal 5 and the third seal 8 are disposed behind the first seal in an outflow direction A of a gas leaking through the first seal 3. In other words, the second and third seals 5, 8 are disposed so as to be axially spaced from the first seal 3 in a direction counter to the installation direction E.

[0052] Furthermore, FIG. 2 shows two fluid channels 7a, 7b which each have an open end, wherein the open end of the first fluid channel 7a is disposed between the first and second seals 3, 5 and the open end of the second fluid channel 7b is disposed between the second and third seals 3, 5. These two open ends of the fluid channels 7a, 7b each abut against the inner surface of the recess 2a of the counterpart 2. The two fluid channels 7a, 7b may lead to separate sensor chambers 11, in each of which a gas sensor 12 is arranged (not shown). In this way, it can be determined independently of the other whether only the first seal 3 (fluid channel 7a) is leaking or whether the first and second seals 3, 5 (fluid channel 7b) are leaking. In the embodiment shown, however, both fluid channels 7a, 7b are routed into a common sensor chamber 11, so that only one gas sensor has to be provided in order to be able to detect a leak at the two seals 3, 5. This constitutes an advantageous variant.

[0053] Finally, FIG. 2 also shows that the screw body 10 can optionally also be provided with a fluid channel 7c. In this case, the open end of the fluid channel 7c is disposed between the second and third seals 5, 8, and therefore it is only possible to detect a leak if both seals (the first and second seals 3, 5) are leaking (in the event that the two fluid channels 7a, 7b are not provided).

[0054] It will be obvious to a person skilled in the art that individual features described in the different embodiments can also be implemented in a single embodiment provided they are not structurally incompatible. Similarly, the different features described in the context of a single embodiment can also be provided in a plurality of embodiments individually or in any suitable sub-combination.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0055] 100 Device (screw connection) [0056] 1 Conduit element [0057] 2 Counterpart [0058] 2a Recess in the counterpart [0059] 3 First seal [0060] 3a Valve body [0061] 4 Valve seat [0062] 5 Second seal [0063] 7a, 7b, 7c Fluid channel (sniffer channel) [0064] 8 Third seal [0065] 9 Welded connection [0066] 10 Screw body [0067] 10a Peripheral surface [0068] 10b Through-holes [0069] 10c Flange projection [0070] 11 Sensor chamber [0071] 12 Gas sensor [0072] A Outflow direction of the leaking gas [0073] E Installation direction