Compensator arrangement for transport systems

Abstract

A compensator arrangement comprising a first fixing unit, a second fixing unit, and an intermediate flexible member removably arranged between the first fixing unit and the second fixing unit and comprising a main body, a first radial end flange and a second radial end flange, wherein the first fixing unit comprises a first connecting member having a first connecting body and a first fixing flange having a plurality of through-holes, a first counter ring, a first clamping ring and a first clamping device for releasably clamping the first radial end flange.

Claims

1. A compensator arrangement comprising: a first fixing unit, a second fixing unit, and a flexible intermediate member detachably arranged between the first fixing unit and the second fixing unit and including a main body, a first radial end flange and a second radial end flange, wherein the first fixing unit includes a first connecting member having a first connecting body and a first fixing flange having a plurality of through-holes, a first counter ring, a first clamping ring and a first clamping device for releasably clamping the first radial end flange, the first clamping device comprising bolts and elongated recesses for receiving the bolts, the second fixing unit includes a second connecting member comprising a connecting body and a second fixing flange having a plurality of through-holes, a second counter ring, a second clamping ring and a second clamping device for releasably clamping the second radial end flange, the second clamping device comprising bolts and elongated recesses for receiving the bolts, wherein the first end flange of the flexible intermediate member is fluid-tightly clamped between the first fixing flange of the first connecting member and the first counter-ring, wherein the second end flange of the flexible intermediate member is fluid-tightly clamped between the second fixing flange of the second connecting member and the second counter-ring, and wherein the first connecting member comprises a circumferential axial projection projecting in the axial direction on an inner side of the fixing flange, wherein the flexible intermediate member is clamped between the axial projection and an inner edge of the first counter ring in the mounted state.

2. The compensator arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the bolts comprise a head.

3. The compensator arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the flexible intermediate member is made of a flexible plastic material.

4. The compensator arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the bolts are arranged on the first counter ring and on the second counter ring.

5. The compensator arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the bolts are threaded bolts.

6. The compensator arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the elongated recesses comprise ramps which are inclined towards a radial plane.

7. The compensator arrangement according to claim 6, wherein the ramps are laterally arranged on the elongated recesses.

8. The compensator arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the elongated recesses are arcuate or rectilinear.

9. The compensator arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising indicator means for determining a predetermined end position of first and second fixing units in the assembled state.

10. The compensator arrangement according to claim 1, the first and/or second connecting body comprising a cylindrical cross-section or a polygonal cross-section.

11. The compensator arrangement according to claim 1, the first and/or second connecting body comprising a square cross-section.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic, perspective view of a compensator arrangement according to an example embodiments of the invention,

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic sectional view of the compensator arrangement of FIG. 1,

(3) FIG. 3 is a schematic, perspective view of a counter ring of the compensator arrangement of FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 4 is a schematic side view of a bolt of a clamping device of the compensator arrangement of FIG. 1,

(5) FIG. 5 is an enlarged, schematic partial sectional view of the compensator arrangement of FIG. 1,

(6) FIG. 6 is a schematic, perspective view of a clamping ring of the compensator arrangement of FIG. 1,

(7) FIGS. 7 to 9 are different views of a bolt-receiving opening of the clamping ring of FIG. 6,

(8) FIG. 10 is a schematic view of a clamping device of the compensator arrangement in a clamped state,

(9) FIG. 11 is a schematic, perspective view of a connecting member of the compensator arrangement of FIG. 1, and

(10) FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of a clamping ring according to a second example embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(11) Referring now to FIGS. 1 to 11, a compensator arrangement 1 will be described in detail below according to a preferred example embodiment of the invention.

(12) The compensator arrangement 1 is adapted to create connection between a first and a second pipe member 2, 2′ of a transport system. The transport system is preferably used in the food industry for conveying powdery or granular materials, such as powdered milk or grain or the like.

(13) The compensator arrangement 1 has a compensating function between the pipe members 2, 2′ of the transport system, as, for example, changes in length of the components may occur due to temperature changes, which will be compensated when using the compensator arrangement. Furthermore, the compensator arrangement 1 also is for vibration decoupling of pipe members, for example, when a pipe member extends to a filling and weighing station where the transported goods have been placed into a package and are riddled before weighing to allow homogeneous filling of the package. In this case, the compensator arrangement 1 compensates for the shaking movements, which can also be transferred to a pipe member, and prevents further transfer to the remaining pipe systems of the transport system.

(14) As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the compensator arrangement 1 comprises a first fixing unit 10 and a second fixing unit 20 as well as a flexible intermediate member 30 comprising a flexible main body 33, a first end flange 31 and a second end flange 32. The first and second fixing units connect the intermediate member 30 to the pipe members 2, 2′.

(15) The first end flange 31 and the second end flange 32 are each formed as radially projecting outwards on a first end and a second end of the main body 33, so that the two end flanges 31, 32 are formed in one piece with the main body 33 in the form of a ring radially projecting outwards. The flexible intermediate member 30 is preferably made of a flexible, especially transparent, plastic material.

(16) As may be seen from FIGS. 1 and 2, the first fixing unit 1 and the second fixing unit 2 are identically constructed, but arranged mirror-inverted.

(17) The first fixing unit 10 comprises a first connecting member 11 comprising a first pipe-shaped connecting body 11a, a radially outwardly directed fixing flange 11b and through-holes 11c in the fixing flange 11b. The first connecting member 11 is schematically shown in FIG. 11.

(18) As furthermore schematically shown in FIG. 2, the first connecting body 11a is connected to a first pipe member 2 by means of a first welded joint 3.

(19) Furthermore, the first fixing unit 10 comprises a first counter ring 12, a first clamping ring 13 and a first clamping device 14.

(20) The first counter ring 12 is shown in detail in FIG. 3. As shown, the first counter ring 12 has a large number of threaded holes 12a which are formed on a central circumferential line on the first counter ring 12 and are equally spaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction. Bolt 15 of the first clamping device 14 is screwed into the threaded holes 12a.

(21) In FIG. 4, a bolt 15 is shown in detail. The bolt 15 comprises a ball head 15a, a body 15b and a thread 15c for engaging into the first counter ring 12. All bolts 15 are identically designed.

(22) FIGS. 6 to 10 show a first clamping ring 13 of the first fixing unit 10 in detail. As may in particular be seen from FIG. 6, the first clamping ring 13 comprises a large number of elongated recesses 13a. The elongated recesses 13a are also arranged adjacent to each other in circumferential direction having equal distances between them. The elongated recesses 13a are arcuate. The elongated recesses 13a form part of the first clamping device 14.

(23) As may be seen in detail in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9, the elongated recesses 13a are configured such that two ramps 13b are formed at the edge of the recess 13a. The ramps 13b are inclined at an acute angle towards a radial plane R, perpendicular to the axial direction X-X, of the clamping ring (see FIG. 8) and serve to guide the head 15a of the bolt 15 of the clamping device 14. Thus, the head 15a of the bolt 15 is inserted into a through-hole 13c in the ramp-free area and then guided in the direction of the elongated recess until contact will be made with the ramps 13b. Herein, the head 15a of the bolt is pushed onto the ramps 13b by a relative rotation between the first counter ring 12, to which the bolt is attached, and the first clamping ring 13.

(24) FIG. 8 schematically illustrates the head 15a of bolt 15 inserted into the elongated recess 13a in the state not yet clamped. The relative rotation between the first counter ring 12 and the first clamping ring 13 causes the first counter ring 12 to axially move towards the first clamping ring 13, clamping the first end flange 31 and first fixing flange 11b located between the first counter ring 12 and the first clamping ring 13.

(25) A clamped bolt 15 in the elongated recess 13a is shown in detail in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 8, this clamping state will be realized when the bolt head 15a is moved in the direction of arrow A along the elongated recess 13a, or the clamping ring 13 is moved relative to the bolt 15. For this purpose, the clamping ring 13 may be provided with one or more projections projecting radially outwards or with one or more recesses for attachment of a tool.

(26) As it is further seen from FIG. 5, the first stop member 11 comprises a circumferential axial projection 5 which protrudes in the axial direction X-X of the compensator arrangement. The axial projection 5 is formed on an inner side of the first fixing flange 11b. As can be seen in FIG. 5, which shows the assembled state of the compensator arrangement, the axial projection 5 enables increased clamping of the flexible intermediate member 30 between the axial projection 5 and an inner edge 12b of the first counter ring 12. Herein, a thickness of the flexible intermediate member 30 is reduced by the axial length L of the axial projection 5, such that stronger clamping forces act on the flexible intermediate member 30, and sealing of the compensator arrangement 1 being further improved is ensured. Such axial projection is also provided for the second fixing unit 20.

(27) As may especially be seen from FIG. 2, the second fixing unit 20 is configured to be identical to the first fixing unit 10. The second fixing unit 20 comprises a second stop member 21, a second counter ring 22, a second clamping ring 23, and a second clamping device 24. The second connecting member 21 comprises a second connecting body 21a, a second fixing flange 21b, and through-holes 21c through which the bolts 15 of the second clamping device 24 will be passed. The bolts 15 are screwed into the second counter ring 22. The second clamping device 24 corresponds to the first clamping device, such that the second fixing flange 21b and the second end flange 32 of the flexible intermediate member 30 are clamped between the second counter ring 22 and the second clamping ring 23. As may be seen in FIG. 2, the sheet-like second end flange 32 is clamped between the second fixing flange 21b and the second counter ring 22. It should be noted that the clamping procedure for the second clamping device 24 is performed in the same way as for the first clamping device 14.

(28) The second connecting body 21a is connected to the second pipe member 2′ by a second weld joint 3′.

(29) It should be noted that the second counter ring 22 and the second clamping ring 23 the second connecting member 21 are formed to be identical to the first connecting member 11, the first counter ring 12 and the first clamping ring 13, so that they are not shown in detail. The clamping device of the first and second fixing members 10, 20 are also identical.

(30) Thus, according to the invention, a compensator arrangement 1 may be provided, which enables safe sealing by a clamping procedure. Herein, the bolts 15 of the clamping device are inserted through the through-holes 11c, 21c into the elongated recesses 13a, and by twisting between the counter ring and the clamping ring, the flexible intermediate member 30 is clamped at the area of the end flanges 31, 32.

(31) To ensure that the correct clamping force is applied, the clamping rings 13 and 23 are provided with indicator means 4 in the form of through-holes, as shown in FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6, three positions are shown. When the clamping ring 13 and the counter ring 12 are rotated relative to each other, the indicator means 4 are also rotated such that, when predetermined markers are reached on the fixing flange 11b of the first connecting member 11, a clamping force is achieved that is predetermined as a function of the thickness of the flexible intermediate member 30. In this case, for example, colored markers may be applied to the fixing flange 11b, which then become visible through the indicator means.

(32) Thus, according to the invention, a compensator arrangement 1 may be provided, which can be mounted in a quick and cost-effective manner. Furthermore, the compensator arrangement may also be disassembled in a quick and easy manner, if, for example, the flexible intermediate member 30 is damaged. Then, it can easily be replaced by a new flexible intermediate member 30. For this purpose, only the two fixing units 10, 20 are to be loosened and the flexible intermediate member is required to be replaced.

(33) FIG. 12 shows a clamping ring 13 according to a second example embodiment of the invention. The clamping ring 13 of the second example embodiment comprises linear elongated recesses 13a instead of arcuate elongated recesses. Thus, clamping is not effected by relative rotation between the counter ring and the clamping ring as in the first example embodiment, but by linear movement between the counter ring and the clamping ring. Furthermore, the compensator arrangement of the second example embodiment comprises a square inner cross-section, as may be seen from FIG. 12.

(34) As in the first example, the elongated recesses 13a comprise inclined ramps, which, for reasons of clarity, are not shown in FIG. 12. Otherwise, this example embodiment corresponds to the first example embodiment, so that reference may be made to the description given therein.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

(35) 1 compensator arrangement

(36) 2 first pipe member

(37) 2′ second pipe member

(38) 3 first weld joint

(39) 3′ second weld joint

(40) 4 indicator means

(41) 5 axial projection

(42) 10 first fixing unit

(43) 11 first connecting member

(44) 11a first connecting body

(45) 11b first fixing flange

(46) 11c through-holes

(47) 12 first counter ring

(48) 12a threaded holes

(49) 12b inner edge of the first counter ring

(50) 13 first clamping ring

(51) 13a elongated recess

(52) 13b ramp

(53) 13c through-hole

(54) 14 first clamping device

(55) 15 bolts

(56) 15a head

(57) 15b body

(58) 15c thread

(59) 20 second fixing unit

(60) 21 second connecting member

(61) 21a second connecting body

(62) 21b second fixing flange

(63) 21c through-holes

(64) 22 second counter ring

(65) 23 second clamping ring

(66) 23a elongated recess

(67) 24 second clamping device

(68) 30 flexible intermediate member

(69) 31 first end flange

(70) 32 second end flange

(71) 33 flexible main body

(72) A movement direction of the bolt for clamping

(73) L length of the axial projection

(74) R radial plane

(75) X-X axial direction

(76) α slope of the ramp