FLANGE SEAL

Abstract

Flange connection for connecting two pipeline ends made of plastics material and method for assembly, containing two mutually opposing pipe ends (2) made of plastics material, wherein the pipe ends each have a prewelding neck, two loose type flanges, wherein a loose type flange is arranged at each pipe end, wherein the loose type flanges have holes for mutual clamping, clamping means, wherein the clamping means are arranged in the holes and serve to mutually pull together the loose type flanges and the pipeline ends, and a sealing element, wherein the sealing element comprises a conductive plastics material and exclusively one material.

Claims

1. A flange connection (1) for connecting two pipeline ends made of plastics material containing two mutually opposing pipe ends (2) made of plastics material, comprising wherein the pipe ends (2) each have a prewelding neck (3), two loose type flanges (4), wherein a loose type flange (4) is arranged at each pipe end (2), wherein the loose type flanges (4) have holes (5) for mutual clamping, clamping means (6), wherein the clamping means (6) are arranged in the holes (5) and serve to mutually pull together the loose type flanges (4) and the pipeline ends, and a sealing element (7), wherein the sealing element (7) comprises a conductive plastics material and exclusively one material.

2. A flange connection (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sealing element (7) is constructed in one piece.

3. A flange connection (1) according to claim 1, wherein the conductive plastics material is constructed in a homogeneous manner.

4. A flange connection (1) according to claim 1, wherein exclusively the sealing element (7) is arranged between the mutually opposing prewelding necks (3).

5. A flange connection (1) according to claim 1, wherein the sealing element (7) comprises a conductive thermoplastic elastomer material (TPE).

6. A flange connection (1) according to claim 1, wherein the prewelding neck (3) is made of polyethylene (PE).

7. A flange connection (1) according to claim 1, wherein the prewelding neck (3) has grooves at the end face.

8. A flange connection (1) according to claim 1, wherein the grooves in the prewelding neck (3) are constructed as concentrically extending circles.

9. A method for assembling a flange connection (1) according to claim 1 comprising: arranging the loose type flanges (4) at mutually opposing pipe ends (2) made of plastics material, clamping together the loose type flanges (4) using clamping means (6), wherein the clamping together is carried out only up to a slight pretensioning, applying electric current to a conductive sealing element (7), wherein the conductive sealing element (7) is arranged between the pipe ends (2) or the prewelding necks (3) on the pipe ends (2) in order to carry out a welding between at least one side of the sealing element (7) and a prewelding neck (3), subsequent clamping together of the loose type flanges (4) using clamping means (6) up to a required tightening torque, wherein the sealing element (7) is already arranged at the end face of a prewelding neck (3) in a non-releasable manner before the loose type flanges (4) are arranged on the mutually opposing pipe ends (2) and the clamping together is carried out.

10. A method for assembling a flange connection (1) according to claim 9, wherein the sealing element (7) can be released by heating the prewelding neck (3) again and, after the prewelding neck (3) and the sealing element (7) are cleaned, can be used again.

Description

DRAWINGS

[0025] An embodiment of the invention is described with reference to the Figures, wherein the invention is not limited only to the embodiment. In the drawings:

[0026] FIG. 1 is a sectioned illustration of a flange connection according to the invention, and

[0027] FIG. 2 is a three-dimensional illustration of a flange connection according to the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

[0028] The drawing depicted in FIG. 1 is a sectioned view of a flange connection 1 according to the invention for connecting pipeline ends made of plastics material. The flange connection 1 contains two mutually opposing pipe ends 2 made of plastics material, wherein the pipe ends are arranged concentrically relative to each other. The pipe ends 2 each have a prewelding neck 3 by means of which they are mutually clamped together, this can also be clearly seen in FIG. 2. There are arranged in each case at the pipe ends 2 loose type flanges 4 which are mutually clamped together using clamping means 6. The prewelding necks 3 of the pipe ends 2 are arranged between the loose type flanges 4 and are pressed together thereby. The clamping means 6 are arranged in the holes 5 in the loose type flanges 4 provided for this purpose and are preferably distributed in a uniform manner. A sealing element 7 is arranged between the two prewelding necks 3, wherein the sealing element 7 comprises a conductive plastics material. In order to improve the sealing, the sealing element 7 is heated by means of electric current, which in turn makes the material of the sealing element 7 softer and it thereby fits better against the end faces of the prewelding necks 3 when the flanges are clamped and seals correspondingly well. For power supply, contact elements 8 which are arranged on the sealing element 7 are used. The contact elements 8 are illustrated purely schematically in FIG. 2, the configuration thereof is developed in accordance with the connection possibilities or the accessibility of the flange connection. In addition to the optimum positive-locking connection achieved thereby, with a corresponding material selection of the sealing element and prewelding neck 3 a materially engaging connection which in turn contributes to an improvement of a sealed flange connection can also be achieved. The sealing element 7 is already secured for the assembly to a prewelding neck 3 of a pipe end, whereby it is ensured that it is not forgotten or lost, and that the wrong one is not mounted.