Method for producing a flange blank and for producing a flange

Abstract

The invention relates to a method for producing a flange blank (1), comprising the following step: producing a base body (3), wherein the base body (3) comprises a fluid passage (5), a support section (7) having a first material thickness (M1) and a force-absorbing section (9) having a second material thickness (M2), the second material thickness (M2) is greater than the first material thickness (M1), and the force-absorbing section (9) is configured for the selective production of through-holes (15a-15h, 17a-17l) according to a first drilling pattern and/or a second drilling pattern. The invention further relates to a method for producing a flange (100). In addition, the invention relates to a flange blank (1).

Claims

1. A method for producing a flange blank, comprising the following steps: producing a base body, wherein the base body comprises a fluid passage extending along a longitudinal axis, a support section having a first material thickness, a force-absorbing section having a second material thickness, the second material thickness being greater than the first material thickness, and through-holes, each of the through-holes extending entirely through the force-absorbing section and the support section of the base body; wherein the force-absorbing section is configured for the production of the through-holes selectively according to a first drilling pattern and a second drilling pattern, wherein the force-absorbing section in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis has an outer contour which is configured to be rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis and mirror-symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry through which runs the longitudinal axis, and providing the outer contour of the force-absorbing section with non-uniform rounded sections, wherein the rounded sections include one or more first rounded sections having a first radius and one or more second rounded sections having a second radius different than the first radius, wherein the first radius and the second radius are located radially outward of the through-holes of the first drilling pattern and/or the second drilling pattern, and wherein a position, arrangement and/or size of the individual radii is non-uniform with respect to the first drilling pattern and/or the second drilling pattern.

2. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein an outer contour of the support section defines an outer most contour of the flange blank and the outer contour of the support section is substantially circular.

3. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the through-holes comprise an even number of through-holes.

4. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the support section comprises two opposite notches that lie inside the plane of symmetry through which runs the longitudinal axis.

5. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the step of producing a base body comprises one or both of the following steps: producing a flange blank casting by a casting method; reworking the flange blank casting by a machining method.

6. The method as claimed in claim 5, wherein the flange blank casting is produced by using a two-part, casting mold.

7. A method for producing a flange, comprising the following steps: producing a number of flange blanks by the method as claimed in claim 1, and selectively producing through-holes according to at least one of the first drilling pattern and/or the second drilling pattern in the force-absorbing section of the base body.

8. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the step of selectively producing through-holes according to a first drilling pattern and/or a second drilling pattern in the force-absorbing section of the base body comprises one, several, or all of the following steps: producing a first number of bores according to the first drilling pattern in the force-absorbing section of the base body; producing bores in a first arrangement according to the first drilling pattern in the force-absorbing section of the base body; producing a second number of bores according to the second drilling pattern in the force-absorbing section of the base body; producing bores in a second arrangement according to the second drilling pattern in the force-absorbing section of the base body.

9. The method as claimed in claim 7, wherein the step of selectively producing through-holes according to a first drilling pattern and/or a second drilling pattern in the force-absorbing section of the base body comprises one of the following steps: selecting and using a first casting insert to produce through-holes according to the first drilling pattern; selecting and using a second casting insert to produce through-holes according to the second drilling pattern; selecting and using a third casting insert to produce through-holes according to the first and the second drilling pattern.

10. The method as claimed in one of claims 7 to 9, further comprising a plurality of identical flange blanks before through-holes according to the first drilling pattern are produced in the force-absorbing section of the base body of a first flange blank and through-holes according to the second drilling pattern are produced in the force-absorbing section of the base body of a second flange blank.

11. A flange blank for producing a flange, comprising a base body which comprises a fluid passage extending along a longitudinal axis, a support section having a first material thickness and a force-absorbing section having a second material thickness, and through-holes, each of the through-holes extending entirely through the force-absorbing section and the support section of the base body, wherein the second material thickness is greater than the first material thickness, wherein the force-absorbing section is configured for the production of the through-holes selectively according to a first drilling pattern and a second drilling pattern, wherein the force-absorbing section in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis has an outer contour which is configured to be rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis and mirror-symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry through which runs the longitudinal axis, wherein the outer contour of the force-absorbing section comprises non-uniform rounded sections, wherein the rounded sections include one or more first rounded sections having a first radius and one or more second rounded sections having a second radius different than the first radius, wherein the first radius and the second radius are located radially outward of the through-holes of the first drilling pattern and/or the second drilling pattern, and wherein a position, arrangement, and/or size of the individual radii is non-uniform with respect to the first drilling pattern and/or the second drilling pattern.

12. The flange blank as claimed in claim 11, wherein the force-absorbing section is adapted to fully surround central axes of the through-holes of the first drilling pattern and second drilling pattern.

13. The flange blank as claimed in claim 12, wherein one or more of the radii of the rounded sections each run coaxially to a central axis of the through-holes of the first drilling pattern or the second drilling pattern.

14. A method for producing a flange blank, comprising the following steps: producing a base body, wherein the base body comprises a fluid passage extending along a longitudinal axis, a support section having a first material thickness and a force-absorbing section having a second material thickness, the second material thickness being greater than the first material thickness, and through-holes, each of the through-holes extending entirely through the force-absorbing section and the support section of the base body; wherein the force-absorbing section is configured for the production of the through-holes selectively according to a first drilling pattern and a second drilling pattern, wherein the force-absorbing section in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis has an outer contour which is configured to be rotationally symmetrical about the longitudinal axis or mirror-symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry through which runs the longitudinal axis, and providing the outer contour of the force-absorbing section with non-uniform rounded sections, wherein the rounded sections include one or more first rounded sections having a first radius and one or more second rounded sections having a second radius different than the first radius, wherein the first radius and the second radius are located radially outward of the through-holes of the first drilling pattern and/or the second drilling pattern, and wherein a position, arrangement and/or size of the individual radii is non-uniform with respect to the first drilling pattern and/or the second drilling pattern; wherein the through-holes comprise an even number of through-holes, and/or wherein the support section comprises two opposite notches that lie inside the plane of symmetry through which runs the longitudinal axis, and wherein each of the through-holes is disposed on a side of the plane of symmetry.

15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein an outer contour of the support section defines an outer most contour of the flange blank and the outer contour of the support section is substantially circular.

16. The method as claimed in claim 1, wherein the through-holes comprise an even number of through-holes, and wherein the support section comprises two opposite notches that lie inside the plane of symmetry through which runs the longitudinal axis, and wherein each of the through-holes is disposed on a side of the plane of symmetry.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained in greater detail hereinafter with reference to the appended figures on the basis of preferred exemplary embodiments. In the figures:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an exemplary embodiment of the flange blank according to the invention in a plan view;

(3) FIG. 2 shows the flange blank from FIG. 1 in a lateral sectional illustration;

(4) FIG. 3a shows a flange produced from the flange blank from FIG. 1, having a first drilling pattern;

(5) FIG. 3b shows a flange produced from the flange blank from FIG. 1, having a second drilling pattern;

(6) FIG. 4 shows an exemplary embodiment of the flange blank according to the invention in a plan view;

(7) FIG. 5 shows the flange blank from FIG. 4 in a lateral sectional illustration;

(8) FIG. 6a shows a flange produced from the flange blank from FIG. 4, having a first drilling pattern;

(9) FIG. 6b shows a flange produced from the flange blank from FIG. 4, having a second drilling pattern;

(10) FIG. 7 shows an exemplary embodiment of the flange blank according to the invention in a plan view;

(11) FIG. 8 shows the flange blank from FIG. 7 in a lateral sectional illustration;

(12) FIG. 9a shows a flange produced from the flange blank from FIG. 7, having a first drilling pattern;

(13) FIG. 9b shows a flange produced from the flange blank from FIG. 7, having a second drilling pattern;

(14) FIG. 10 shows an exemplary embodiment of the flange blank according to the invention in a plan view;

(15) FIG. 11 shows the flange blank from FIG. 10 in a lateral sectional illustration;

(16) FIG. 12a shows a flange produced from the flange blank from FIG. 10, having a first drilling pattern; and

(17) FIG. 12b shows a flange produced from the flange blank from FIG. 10, having a second drilling pattern.

MODE(S) FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

(18) According to FIG. 1, the flange blank 1 has a base body 3, which comprises a fluid passage 5, a support section 7, and a force-absorbing section 9. The force-absorbing section 9 is configured for the selective production of through-holes according to a first drilling pattern and/or a second drilling pattern.

(19) Eight central axes 11a-11h of the through-holes of the first drilling pattern to be introduced extend through the force-absorbing section 9. Furthermore, twelve central axes 13a-13l of the through-holes of the second drilling pattern to be introduced extend through the force-absorbing section 9. The central axes 11a-11h, 13a-13l of the through-holes of the first drilling pattern and the second drilling pattern are surrounded fully circumferentially by the force-absorbing section 9.

(20) The fluid passage 5 extends along a longitudinal axis 6, wherein the force-absorbing section 9 has an outer contour 10 in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 6. The outer contour 10 is mirror-symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry through which the longitudinal axis 6 runs.

(21) The outer contour 10 of the force-absorbing section 9 comprises a plurality of rounded sections. A plurality of first rounded sections of the outer contour 10 of the force-absorbing section 9 have a first radius R1. A plurality of second rounded sections of the outer contour 10 of the force-absorbing section 9 have a second radius R2. A plurality of third rounded sections of the outer contour 10 of the force-absorbing section 9 have a third radius R3.

(22) The radii R1 of the first rounded sections of the outer contour 10 of the force-absorbing section 9 run coaxially to the central axes 13c, 13d, 13i, 13j of the through-holes of the second drilling pattern.

(23) The radii R2 of the second rounded sections run coaxially to the central axes 11b, 11c, 11f, 11g of the through-holes of the first drilling pattern.

(24) The radii R3 of the fourth rounded sections run coaxially to the central axes 13b, 13e, 13h, 13k of the through-holes of the second drilling pattern.

(25) The support section 7 of the flange blank 1 has an outer contour 8 running orthogonally to the central axis 6 which is configured to be substantially circular. The outer contour 8 of the support section 7 has only two opposite notches, which lie inside the plane of symmetry of the mirror-symmetrically configured force-absorbing section 9.

(26) According to FIG. 2, the flange blank 1 comprises the base body 3, which forms the fluid passage 5, the support section 7, and the force-absorbing section 9. The support section 7 has a first material thickness M1. The force-absorbing section 9 has a second material thickness M2. The second material thickness M2 is greater than the first material thickness M1.

(27) The flange blank from FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is produced by means of the method according to the invention for producing a flange blank. The method used comprises the following steps: producing a base body 3, wherein the base body 3 comprises a fluid passage 5, a support section 7 having a first material thickness M1 and a force-absorbing section 9 having a second material thickness M2, the second material thickness M2 is greater than the first material thickness M1 and the force-absorbing section 9 is configured for the selective production of through-holes 15a-15h, 17a-17l (see FIGS. 3a and 3b) according to a first drilling pattern and/or a second drilling pattern.

(28) The production according to the invention of the base body 3 comprises the following steps: producing a flange blank casting by means of a casting method using a multipart, in particular two-part, casting mold; and reworking the flange blank casting by means of a machining method.

(29) The flange 100 according to FIG. 3a was produced from a flange blank 1 according to FIG. 1. The flange 100 has eight through-holes 15a-15h. The through-holes 15a-15h extend along the central axes 11a-11h shown in FIG. 1. The arrangement and number of through-holes 15a-15h correspond to the first drilling pattern. The through-holes 15a-15h have a diameter d.

(30) The flange 100 according to FIG. 3b was also produced from a flange blank 1 according to FIG. 1. The flange 100 has twelve through-holes 17a-17l. The through-holes 17a-17l extend along the central axes 13a-13l shown in FIG. 1. The arrangement and number of through-holes 17a-17l correspond to the second drilling pattern. The through-holes 17a-17l have a diameter d.

(31) The flanges 100 from FIGS. 3a and 3b are produced by means of the method according to the invention for producing a flange 100. The method used comprises the following steps: producing two identical flange blanks 1 by means of the method according to the invention for producing a flange blank 1, and selectively producing through-holes 15a-15h, 17a-17l according to a first and/or second drilling pattern in the force-absorbing section 9 of the base body 3.

(32) The step of producing the through-holes 15a-15h according to the first drilling pattern in the force-absorbing section 9 of the base body comprises the following steps: producing eight bores according to the first drilling pattern in the force-absorbing section 9 of the base body 3; producing bores in a first arrangement according to the first drilling pattern in the force-absorbing section 9 of the base body 3.

(33) The step of producing the through-holes 17a-17l according to the second drilling pattern in the force-absorbing section 9 of the base body comprises the following steps: producing twelve bores according to the second drilling pattern in the force-absorbing section 9 of the base body 3; producing bores in a second arrangement according to the second drilling pattern in the force-absorbing section 9 of the base body 3.

(34) According to FIG. 4, the flange blank 1 has a base body 3, which comprises a fluid passage 5, a support section 7, and a force-absorbing section 9. The force-absorbing section 9 is configured for the selective production of through-holes according to a first drilling pattern and/or a second drilling pattern.

(35) Four central axes 11a-11 of the through-holes of the first drilling pattern to be introduced extend through the force-absorbing section 9. Furthermore, eight central axes 13a-13h of the through-holes of the second drilling pattern to be introduced extend through the force-absorbing section 9. The central axes 11a-11d, 13a-13h of the through-holes of the first drilling pattern and the second drilling pattern are surrounded fully circumferentially by the force-absorbing section 9.

(36) The fluid passage 5 extends along a longitudinal axis 6, wherein the force-absorbing section 9 has an outer contour 10 in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 6. The outer contour 10 is mirror-symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry through which the longitudinal axis 6 runs.

(37) The outer contour 10 of the force-absorbing section 9 comprises a plurality of rounded sections. A plurality of first rounded sections of the outer contour 10 of the force-absorbing section 9 have a first radius R1. A plurality of second rounded sections of the outer contour 10 of the force-absorbing section 9 have a second radius R2.

(38) The radii R1 of the first rounded sections of the outer contour 10 of the force-absorbing section 9 run coaxially to the central axes 13a-13h of the through-holes of the second drilling pattern.

(39) The radii R2 of the second rounded sections run coaxially to the central axes 11a-11d of the through-holes of the first drilling pattern.

(40) The support section 7 of the flange blank 1 has an outer contour 8 running orthogonally to the central axis 6, which is configured to be substantially circular. The outer contour 8 of the support section 7 has only two opposite notches, which lie inside the plane of symmetry of the mirror-symmetrically configured force-absorbing section 9.

(41) According to FIG. 5, the flange blank 1 comprises the base body 3, which forms the fluid passage 5, the support section 7, and the force-absorbing section 9. The support section 7 has a first material thickness M1. The force-absorbing section 9 has a second material thickness M2. The second material thickness M2 is greater than the first material thickness M1.

(42) The flange 100 according to FIG. 6a was produced from a flange blank 1 according to FIG. 4. The flange 100 has four through-holes 15a-15d. The through-holes 15a-15d extend along the central axes 11a-11d shown in FIG. 4. The arrangement and number of through-holes 15a-15d correspond to the first drilling pattern. The through-holes 15a-15d have a diameter d.

(43) The flange 100 according to FIG. 6b was also produced from a flange blank 1 according to FIG. 4. The flange 100 has eight through-holes 17a-17h. The through-holes 17a-17h extend along the central axes 13a-13h shown in FIG. 4. The arrangement and number of through-holes 17a-17h correspond to the second drilling pattern. The through-holes 17a-17h have a diameter d.

(44) According to FIG. 7, the flange blank 1 comprises a base body 3, which comprises a fluid passage 5, a support section 7, and a force-absorbing section 9. The force-absorbing section 9 is configured for the selective production of through-holes according to a first drilling pattern and/or a second drilling pattern.

(45) Eight central axes 11a-11h of the through-holes of the first drilling pattern to be introduced extend through the force-absorbing section 9. Furthermore, eight central axes 13a-13h of the through-holes of the second drilling pattern to be introduced extend through the force-absorbing section 9. The central axes 11a-11h, 13a-13h of the through-holes of the first drilling pattern and the second drilling pattern are surrounded fully circumferentially by the force-absorbing section 9.

(46) The fluid passage 5 extends along a longitudinal axis 6, wherein the force-absorbing section 9 has an outer contour 10 in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 6. The outer contour 10 is mirror-symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry through which the longitudinal axis 6 runs.

(47) The outer contour 10 of the force-absorbing section 9 comprises a plurality of rounded sections. A plurality of first rounded sections of the outer contour 10 of the force-absorbing section 9 have a first radius R1.

(48) The radii R1 of the first rounded sections of the outer contour 10 of the force-absorbing section 9 run coaxially to the central axes 13a-13h of the through-holes of the second drilling pattern.

(49) The support section 7 of the flange blank 1 has an outer contour 8 running orthogonally to the central axis 6 which is configured to be substantially circular. The outer contour 8 of the support section 7 has only two opposite notches, which lie inside the plane of symmetry of the mirror-symmetrically configured force-absorbing section 9.

(50) According to FIG. 8, the flange blank 1 comprises the base body 3, which forms the fluid passage 5, the support section 7, and the force-absorbing section 9. The support section 7 has a first material thickness M1. The force-absorbing section 9 has a second material thickness M2. The second material thickness M2 is greater than the first material thickness M1.

(51) The flange 100 according to FIG. 9a was produced from a flange blank 1 according to FIG. 7. The flange 100 has eight through-holes 15a-15h. The through-holes 15a-15h extend along the central axes 11a-11h shown in FIG. 7. The arrangement and number of through-holes 15a-15h correspond to the first drilling pattern. The through-holes 15a-15h have a diameter d.

(52) The flange 100 according to FIG. 9b was also produced from a flange blank 1 according to FIG. 7. The flange 100 has eight through-holes 17a-17h. The through-holes 17a-17h extend along the central axes 13a-13h shown in FIG. 7. The arrangement and number of through-holes 17a-17h correspond to the second drilling pattern. The through-holes 17a-17h have a diameter d.

(53) According to FIG. 10, the flange blank 1 comprises a base body 3, which comprises a fluid passage 5, a support section 7, and a force-absorbing section 9. The force-absorbing section 9 is configured for the selective production of through-holes according to a first drilling pattern and/or a second drilling pattern.

(54) Four central axes 11a-11d of the through-holes of the first drilling pattern to be introduced extend through the force-absorbing section 9. Furthermore, four central axes 13a-13d of the through-holes of the second drilling pattern to be introduced extend through the force-absorbing section 9. The central axes 11a-11d, 13a-13d of the through-holes of the first drilling pattern and the second drilling pattern are surrounded fully circumferentially by the force-absorbing section 9.

(55) The fluid passage 5 extends along a longitudinal axis 6, wherein the force-absorbing section 9 has an outer contour 10 in a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal axis 6. The outer contour 10 is mirror-symmetrical with respect to a plane of symmetry through which the longitudinal axis 6 runs.

(56) The outer contour 10 of the force-absorbing section 9 comprises a plurality of rounded sections. A plurality of first rounded sections of the outer contour 10 of the force-absorbing section 9 have a first radius R1.

(57) The radii R1 of the first rounded sections of the outer contour 10 of the force-absorbing section 9 run coaxially to the central axes 11a-11d, 13a-13d of the through-holes of the first and the second drilling pattern.

(58) The support section 7 of the flange blank 1 has an outer contour 8 running orthogonally to the central axis 6 which is configured to be substantially circular. The outer contour 8 of the support section 7 has only two opposite notches, which lie inside the plane of symmetry of the mirror-symmetrically configured force-absorbing section 9.

(59) According to FIG. 11, the flange blank 1 comprises the base body 3, which forms the fluid passage 5, the support section 7, and the force-absorbing section 9. The support section 7 has a first material thickness M1. The force-absorbing section 9 has a second material thickness M2. The second material thickness M2 is greater than the first material thickness M1.

(60) The flange 100 according to FIG. 12a was produced from a flange blank 1 according to FIG. 10. The flange 100 has four through-holes 15a-15d. The through-holes 15a-15d extend along the central axes 11a-11d shown in FIG. 10. The arrangement and number of through-holes 15a-15d correspond to the first drilling pattern. The through-holes 15a-15d have a diameter d1.

(61) The flange 100 according to FIG. 12b was also produced from a flange blank 1 according to FIG. 10. The flange 100 has four through-holes 17a-17d. The through-holes 17a-17d extend along the central axes 13a-13d shown in FIG. 10. The arrangement and number of through-holes 17a-17d correspond to the second drilling pattern. The through-holes 17a-17d have a diameter d2.

LIST OF UTILIZED REFERENCE NUMBERS

(62) 1 Flange blank 3 Base body 5 Fluid passage 6 Longitudinal axis 7 Support section 8 Outer contour of support section 9 Force-absorbing section 10 Outer contour of force-absorbing section 11a-11h Central axes 13a-13l Central axes 15a-15h Through-holes 17a-17l Through-holes 100 Flange d, d1, d2 Recess diameters M1, M2 Material thicknesses R1-R3 Radii