COMPRESSED GAS FILTER WITH THROUGH-OPENING IN THE HOUSING HEAD

Abstract

A compressed air filter includes a housing and a housing head with an inlet and an outlet, wherein a preparation element is arranged in an interior of the housing, and compressed air which is to be prepared flows through the inlet into the preparation element and flows out through the outlet as prepared useful air. The housing head has a through-opening through which, in the state in which the preparation element is used, there extends a functional element connected to the preparation element.

Claims

1. A compressed gas filter having a housing and a housing head having an inlet and an outlet, wherein in an interior of the housing a preparation element is arranged, into which through the inlet inflowing compressed gas and flows out through the outlet as prepared useful air, wherein the housing head has a through-opening through which a functional element connected to the preparation element extends into it in the state in which the preparation element is used.

2. The compressed gas filter according to claim 1, wherein between the functional element and the through-opening a seal element is arranged, through which the through-opening is pressure-tightly closed in state in which the preparation element is used.

3. The compressed gas filter according to claim 1, wherein the functional element has an externally visible information surface in the state in which the preparation element is used.

4. The compressed gas filter according to claim 3, wherein an information symbol is shown on the information surface.

5. The compressed gas filter according to claim 3, wherein, on the information surface, a haptically tactile information symbol is arranged, which has been designed with elevations and recesses.

6. The compressed gas filter according to claim 1, wherein within the functional element at least one fluid channel is embodied, which connects the interior of the preparation element to the environment.

7. The compressed gas filter according to claim 1, wherein within the functional element at least one fluid channel is embodied, which connects the interior of the housing to the environment.

8. The compressed gas filter according to claim 6, wherein within the fluid channel connecting the interior of the preparation element to the environment, an additional filter is arranged.

9. The compressed gas filter according to claim 1, wherein the functional element is made of an electrically insulating material.

10. The compressed gas filter according to claim 1, wherein the functional element is made of a material which enables the transmission of signals from the group electrical signals, electromagnetic signals, or radio signals.

11. The compressed gas filter according to claim 1, wherein the functional element comprises at least one electrical conductor which connects the interior of the preparation element and/or the interior of the housing to the environment.

12. The compressed gas filter according to claim 1, wherein the functional element and the preparation element are configured whereby the functional element in the through-opening is movable in the axial direction, so that the functional element takes different positions in the through-opening depending on pressure ratios in the compressed gas filter.

13. The compressed gas filter according to claim 1, wherein a readable information carrier is arranged within the functional element.

14. The compressed gas filter according to claim 1, wherein an actuator is arranged within the functional element.

15. A preparation element for a compressed gas filter comprising the features of claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] The figures show:

[0036] FIG. 1: a housing head according to the disclosure and a preparation element according to the disclosure in perspective illustration,

[0037] FIG. 2: the housing head according to the disclosure from FIG. 1 with a pressure indication,

[0038] FIG. 3: a second embodiment variant of a housing head according to the disclosure with an additional filter,

[0039] FIG. 4: a embodiment variant of a preparation element according to the disclosure with fluid channels,

[0040] FIG. 5: an embodiment variant of an end cap of a preparation element according to the disclosure with readable information carrier,

[0041] FIG. 6: a flange filter according to the disclosure in a cross-section, and

[0042] FIG. 7: a top view of a housing head of the flange filter from FIG. 6,

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0043] FIG. 1 shows a housing head 26 of a compressed gas filter 20 according to the disclosure (FIG. 1-1), an end cap 28 of a preparation element 24 in enlarged illustration (FIG. 1-2) and the preparation element 24 itself (FIG. 1-3).

[0044] A compound compressed gas filter 20 according to the disclosure shows, for example, FIG. 4 in section. The housing head 26 is connectable to a housing 22 in which the preparation element 24 is arranged. In the operating state, the preparation element 24 is also connected to the housing head 26. Through an inlet 30, compressed gas, for example compressed air or nitrogen, passes through the housing head 26 into an interior 40 of the preparation element 24, enters in the exemplary embodiment shown by a cylindrical preparation component (e.g., filter fleece or membrane) in a housing interior 42, i.e., a annular space between the preparation element 24 and the inner wall of the housing 22. From the housing interior 42, the compressed gas finally flows out through an outlet 34 as prepared useful air from the housing head 26.

[0045] FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate that a functional element 54 arranged at an end cap 28 extends through a through-opening 50 arranged on a free end face of the housing head 26. In the exemplary embodiment shown, the functional element 54 and the end cap 28 are designed as an individual single-piece component. The end cap 28 is located in the assembled state of the compressed gas filter 20 within the housing head 26.

[0046] The functional element 54 extends coaxially to a longitudinal axis x-x of the preparation element 24 away from the end cap 28 and projects cylindrically. The outer contour of the functional element 54 is adapted to the shape of the through-opening 50 in such a way that they can functionally interact and the through-opening 50 can be sealed against the functional element 54. The length of the functional element 54 projecting from the end cap 28 is adapted to the structure of the housing head 26 in such a way that the functional element 54 projects into the through-opening 50. The coaxial arrangement of the functional element 54 and the preparation element 24 allows screwing in the preparation element 24 with a functional element 54 having a round cross-section.

[0047] FIG. 1 also shows that the functional element 54 has an information surface 60 at its free distal end, which is visible from the outside in the assembled state of the compressed gas filter 20. On the information area 60, an arrow is shown as information symbol 64 in the exemplary embodiment shown. The arrow indicates the flow direction of the compressed gas through the compressed gas filter 20 in the assembled state. In particular, the arrow can also be raised or recessed, so that it is not only visually visible, but also palpable.

[0048] FIG. 2 illustrates a particularly favourable embodiment variant of the disclosure. Accordingly, the functional element 54 is movable in the axial direction in the front surface of the housing head 26 arranged through-opening 50, so that it projects more or less far over an outer surface of the housing head 26, depending on the pressure conditions in the compressed gas filter 20. In FIG. 2, the state is shown in which there is overpressure in an interior 42 of the compressed gas filter 20, so that the functional element 54 is pushed upwards from the housing head 26. Thus, it can be seen at first glance that the compressed gas filter 20 is not depressurized. Also, it can be tested via a pressure test whether the functional element 54 can be pressed back in the direction of the interior 42. This would be the case, for example, if it had only got stuck in the upper position due to soiling. However, if the compressed gas filter 20 is still under overpressure, pushing back is not possible or only with great difficulty.

[0049] FIG. 2 further shows a thread 32, via which the housing head 26 can be screwed to the housing 22.

[0050] FIG. 3 shows another variant of the disclosure according to the disclosure. The functional element 54 comprises a fluid channel 66 connecting an interior 40 of the preparation element 24 to the environment. For example, measuring devices can be connected to this fluid channel 66. Also recognizable is an additional filter 46, which is arranged in the fluid channel 66 of the functional element 54 and protects the preparation element 24 from contamination.

[0051] FIG. 4 illustrates an embodiment variant in which two fluid channels 66 are provided. FIG. 4-1 shows a preparation element 24 in perspective and FIG. 4-2 shows the corresponding compressed gas filter 20 in cross-section.

[0052] A first fluid channel 66 connects an inlet side, a second fluid channel 66 an outlet side of the compressed gas filter 20 to the environment. Furthermore, a seal element 58 designed as an O-ring is recognizable, which seals the functional element 54 in the through-opening 50. The seal element 58 is also provided in the other embodiment variants, even if it is not always recognizable or not shown.

[0053] As shown in FIG. 5, another element may be accommodated within the functional element 54. In the embodiment shown a readable information carrier 68 is shown, which has stored, for example, information about the built-in preparation element 24.

[0054] FIGS. 6 and 7 show a compressed gas filter 20 designed as a flange filter, in the housing of which 22 up to four preparation elements 24 can be arranged. FIG. 6 shows a cross-section along the section line X-X in FIG. 7, which is why only two preparation elements 24 can be recognized.

[0055] The preparation elements 24 extend through a retaining plate 70, whereby inlet elements 72 of the preparation elements 24 are located above the retaining plate 70 in the housing head 26. The inlet elements 72 each have inlet openings 74, through which through the inlet 30 inflowing compressed gas enters the preparation elements 24.

[0056] Of the inlet elements 72, functional elements 54 extend to through-openings 50 of the housing head 26. FIG. 7 illustrates that information surfaces 60 of the functional elements 54 can be recognized from the outside. In addition, two preparation elements have 24 fluid channels 66, to which measuring devices can be connected for example.

[0057] For example, the information surfaces 60 may symbolize various types of preparation elements 24. Alternatively, it may be recognizable how many preparation elements 24 are used in the compressed gas filter 60. Instead of a functional element 54 of a preparation element 24 used, a blank plug can be introduced into the corresponding through-opening 50 if no preparation element 24 is to be used. The blank plug seals the compressed gas filter 20 pressure-tight. Of course, flange filters according to the disclosure may also have the elements described above for other compressed gas filter types 20, for example actuators and readable information carriers (e.g., RFID tags, NFC chips or actuators of any kind).

[0058] The disclosure is not limited to the exemplary embodiment shown but also includes other variants which are feasible on the basis of the explanatory disclosure.