Hollow profile

Abstract

A hollow profile (1, 15), in particular crane girder for a crane (14), wherein the hollow profile (1, 15) has a cavity (2) and an outer wall (3) bounding the cavity (2), and at least one fastening element (4) protruding from the outer wall (3) for the, preferably re-releasable, fastening of at least one add-on part (5) to the hollow profile (1, 15), wherein the outer wall (3) has at least one passage opening (6), which opens into the cavity (2), for the fastening element (4), and an intermediate space between that portion (36) of the outer wall (3) which bounds the passage opening (6) and the fastening element (4) which is guided through the passage opening (6) is sealed with a sealing compound (7).

Claims

1. A hollow profile comprising an outer wall that surrounds a cavity, at least one fastening element protruding from the outer wall for fastening of at least one add on part to the hollow profile, the outer wall has at least one passage opening, which opens into the cavity, for the fastening element, an intermediate space between a portion of the outer wall which bounds the passage opening and the fastening element which is guided through the passage opening, and a sealing compound that seals the intermediate space such that the cavity of the hollow profile is completely separated from atmosphere, and end sides of the hollow profile are closed by end metal sheets.

2. The hollow profile according to claim 1, wherein the fastening element has a head which is arranged in the cavity of the hollow profile and is supported on an inner surface of the outer wall, said inner surface facing the cavity.

3. The hollow profile according to claim 2, further comprising the sealing compound also being arranged between the head of the fastening element and the inner surface of the outer wall.

4. The hollow profile according to claim 1, wherein the sealing compound is an adhesive.

5. The hollow profile according to claim 1, wherein the fastening element is a threaded fastener.

6. The hollow profile according to claim 1, wherein the fastening element is a bolt.

7. The hollow profile according to claim 1, wherein the intermediate space between that portion of the outer wall which bounds the passage opening and the fastening element is an annular gap, and a gap width of the annular gap is between 0.01 mm and 0.15 mm at least over a majority of a length of the annular gap.

8. The hollow profile of claim 1, wherein the hollow profile is a crane girder.

9. The hollow profile according to claim 5, wherein the fastening element is a shoulder bolt.

10. The hollow profile according to claim 6, wherein the bolt has a threaded portion.

11. The hollow profile according to claim 7, wherein the gap width of the annular gap is between 0.02 mm and 0.1 mm at least over a majority of a length of the annular gap.

12. A crane comprising: a hollow profile including an outer wall that surrounds a cavity, at least one fastening element protruding from the outer wall for fastening of at least one add on part to the hollow profile, the outer wall has at least one passage opening, which opens into the cavity, for the fastening element, an intermediate space between a portion of the outer wall which bounds the passage opening and the fastening element which is guided through the passage opening, and a sealing compound that seals the intermediate space such that the cavity of the hollow profile is completely separated from atmosphere, and end sides of the hollow profile are closed by end metal sheets.

13. The crane according to claim 12, further comprising the at least one add on part, the add-on part comprising a running rail of the crane for at least one running wheel of a trolley of a hoist of the crane, and the hollow profile has a multiplicity of fastening elements, wherein, in an operating state, the running rail is fastened to the fastening elements.

14. The crane according to claim 12, wherein the crane is a gantry crane.

15. A method for fastening an add on part to a hollow profile, the method comprising: providing a hollow profile including an outer wall that surrounds a cavity, at least one fastening element protruding from the outer wall for fastening of at least one add on part to the hollow profile, the outer wall has at least one passage opening, which opens into the cavity, for the fastening element, an intermediate space between a portion of the outer wall which bounds the passage opening and the fastening element which is guided through the passage opening, and a sealing compound that seals the intermediate space; applying the sealing compound to at least one of a portion of the outer wall which bounds the passage opening or the fastening element, introducing the fastening element into the passage opening, sealing the intermediate space between the portion of the outer wall which bounds the passage opening and the fastening element with the sealing compound such that the cavity of the hollow profile is completely separated from atmosphere, and end sides of the hollow profile are closed by end metal sheets, and fastening the add on part to the hollow profile using the fastening element.

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the add on part is fastened to the hollow profile after curing of the sealing compound.

17. The method according to claim 15, wherein the add-on part is a running rail.

18. The hollow profile according to claim 1, wherein the end metal sheets have a flat profile.

19. The crane according to claim 12, wherein the end metal sheets have a flat profile.

20. The method according to claim 15, wherein the end metal sheets have a flat profile.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) Further features and details of preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the form of different variants in the given illustrations, in which:

(2) FIG. 1 shows an illustration of a hollow profile according to the prior art with welded-on fastening elements,

(3) FIG. 2 shows an isometric view of a crane according to the invention with hollow profiles according to the invention;

(4) FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view of the main girder, which is designed as a hollow profile, of the crane according to FIG. 2;

(5) FIG. 4 shows the detail A according to FIG. 3 without a running wheel;

(6) FIG. 5 shows the detail B according to FIG. 4;

(7) FIG. 6 shows an illustration of the fastening element according to the first exemplary embodiment of the invention;

(8) FIGS. 7 to 9 show examples of alternative variant embodiments of fastening elements;

(9) FIG. 10 shows a second exemplary embodiment of a hollow profile according to the invention in an illustration analogously to FIG. 4, and

(10) FIG. 11 shows a schematic illustration of an anti-corrosion layer in an illustration analogously to FIG. 5.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(11) FIG. 2 shows an example of a crane 14 according to the invention which is designed as a gantry crane and has a hoist 17 (illustrated in simplified form) for lifting a load, for example a container, with a position-variable trolley 16. The trolley 16 is supported on two crane girders of the crane 14 and is movable in mutually opposed movement directions 31. The crane girders could also be referred to as main girders of the crane 14 and are designed as hollow profiles 1 according to the invention. The respective hollow profile 1 is formed in a longitudinally extended manner. The trolley 16 has running wheels 12 which are supported on an add-on part 5 which is fastened to the respective hollow profile 1. In this application, the add-on part 5 has a running surface for the running wheels 12 and is designed as a running rail for the trolley 16. The two hollow profiles 1 of the crane 14 can be connected to each other at their end-side ends by horizontal connections 21, as is shown here. The substructure of the crane 14 consists of the supports 19 and horizontal connections 20 which connect the supports 19 to one another. The crane 14, in the exemplary embodiment shown, is movable by the chassis 18 of the crane 14 along a crane track (not illustrated) in mutually opposed directions of movement 30.

(12) FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional view orthogonally to the longitudinal extent of the left of the hollow profiles 1 illustrated (=orthogonally to the opposed movement directions 31 of the trolley 16) according to FIG. 2. The hollow profile 1 has a cross section substantially similar to an ellipse. However, in other embodiments, the hollow profile 1 could also have a cross section differing from the elliptical form and could be comprised, for example, of rectilinear metal sheets.

(13) An outer wall 3 of the hollow profile 1 bounds the cavity 2 of the hollow profile 1. In order to absorb the load introduced by the running wheel 12, the outer wall 3 of the hollow profile 1 has a rectilinear wall portion which is formed by an I beam. On the end sides 1a, 1b of the hollow profile 1, the hollow profile 1 is closed by end metal sheets which are shown in FIG. 2. Furthermore, no reinforcing bodies in the form of what are referred to as struts, etc. which may be necessary, depending on the forces being anticipated, in order to reinforce the hollow profile 1 are illustrated in the figures either.

(14) The add-on part 5 which is designed as a running rail is supported on the upper flange of the I beam and is fastened to the hollow profile 1 with a multiplicity of fastening elements 4. A rail base 25 is additionally arranged between the running rail and the upper flange. The rail base 25 could be comprised, for example, of an elastic material, for example an elastomer.

(15) In the first exemplary embodiment according to the invention, it is provided that the fastening element 4 is a shoulder bolt. Shoulder bolts have a threaded portion 10 and an adjoining smooth stem 26, wherein the stem 26 is located between the threaded portion 10 and a head 8 of the shoulder bolt. The diameter of the stem 26 is larger than the diameter of the threaded portion 10, also see FIG. 6.

(16) The outer wall 3 of the hollow profile 1 has a passage opening 6, which opens into the cavity 2, for the fastening element 4. The passage opening 6 could be introduced, for example by drilling a through-hole into the upper flange of the I beam.

(17) In the first exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the head 8 of the fastening element 4 designed as a shoulder bolt is supported on an inner surface 9 of the outer wall 3, said inner surface facing the cavity 2. The head 8 of the fastening element 4 is therefore arranged in the cavity 2 of the hollow profile 1. The head 8 has a larger diameter than the passage opening 6.

(18) An intermediate space between a portion 36 of the outer wall 3, said portion bounding the passage opening 6, and the fastening element 4 is sealed according to the invention with a sealing compound 7. In the operating state of the hollow profile 1, the sealing compound 7 is preferably crosslinked or at least hardened. The sealing compound 7 adheres both to the fastening element 4 and to that portion 36 of the outer wall 3 which bounds the passage opening 6. The stem 26 or in general a thread-free region of the fastening element 4 is particularly preferably arranged in the passage opening 6. The penetration of fluid, in particular rain water, into the cavity 2 of the hollow profile 3 is prevented by the sealing compound 7.

(19) In the first exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the sealing compound 7 is an adhesive. Due to the adhesion of the adhesive to the fastening element 4, preferably to the stem 26 thereof, and to that portion 36 of the outer wall 3 which bounds the passage opening 6, the fastening element 4 and the outer wall 3 are also fixedly connected to each other by the internal strength of the adhesive in the cured state of the adhesive.

(20) The cured adhesive advantageously absorbs the entire counter torque for pretensioning the fastening element 4. This is particularly advantageous since the cavity 2 of the hollow profile 1 is advantageously completely sealed off from the atmosphere in the operating state. As a result, the head 8 is no longer accessible from outside the hollow profile 1 after the seal welding of the hollow profile 1. By use of a suitable adhesive, counter holding of the head 8 with a tool during the pretensioning or the installation of the add-on part 5 can therefore be dispensed with.

(21) In the first exemplary embodiment, it is provided that sealing compound 7 in the form of an adhesive is additionally arranged between the head 8 of the fastening element 4 and the inner surface 9 of the outer wall 3, see FIG. 5. As a result, the tightness is further improved and a higher counter torque for pretensioning the fastening element 4 is achieved.

(22) The adhesive is preferably a high-strength adhesive, for example urethane methacrylate. It is particularly preferred that the adhesive cures anaerobically, i.e. that the hardening reaction takes place in the absence of oxygen (anaerobically) and in the presence of metal ions. An example of an anaerobically curing adhesive is Loctite 648.

(23) The intermediate space between that portion 36 of the outer wall 3 which bounds the passage opening 6 and the fastening element 4 is designed as an annular gap. That portion 36 of the outer wall 3 which bounds the passage opening 6 is preferably designed in the form of a circular cylinder jacket. The smooth stem 26 of the fastening element 4 designed as a shoulder bolt is located in the passage opening 6 in the operating state of the hollow profile 1. In the first exemplary embodiment, the annular gap is therefore of circular-cylindrical design. The gap width 11 of the annular gap is between 0.01 and 0.15 mm at least over the predominant part of the length of the annular gap. It is provided in the exemplary embodiment that the annular gap has a gap width 11 of 0.05 mm. As a result, reliable adhesive bonding of the fastening element 4 to the outer wall 3 of the hollow profile 1 can be ensured. The gap width 11 here is measured radially with respect to the direction of the longitudinal extent of the fastening element 4.

(24) The sealing compound 7, in particular the adhesive, preferably completely fills the annular gap, as is illustrated in FIG. 5.

(25) For the clamping of the add-on part 5, which is designed as a running rail, a rail clamp 13 which interacts with the respective fastening element 4 is furthermore provided in the exemplary embodiment shown. The running rail is clamped down in the operating state by a nut 22 which is screwed onto the threaded portion 10 of the shoulder bolt. The rail clamp 13 is supported here on one side on the rail foot of the running rail and on the other side on a clamp lower part 24, cf. FIG. 5. In the first exemplary embodiment, wedge securing disks 34 are arranged between the nut 22 and the rail clamp 13. The wedge securing disks 34 prevent independent unscrewing of the nut 22 during the operation of the crane 14.

(26) Furthermore, in the first exemplary embodiment, the nut 22 is covered with a protective cap 23 which prevents moisture or liquid from penetrating between the thread turns of the nut 22 and the threaded portion 10 of the fastening element 4. The protective cap 23 can additionally be filled with grease in order to prevent water from penetrating the thread turns.

(27) In order to fasten an add-on part 5, which is designed as a running rail, to a hollow profile 1 for a crane 14, correspondingly dimensioned fastening elements 4 are necessary for absorbing the typical loads. For this purpose, suitable shoulder bolts preferably have a metric thread of between M16 and M24 and more. In the first exemplary embodiment, the shoulder bolt has, for example, an M20 thread.

(28) The fastening element 4 advantageously has a burnished, i.e. black, surface. However, it is also conceivable and possible for the surface of the fastening element 4 to be coated. For example, the fastening element 4 could also be formed with a zinc coating.

(29) It is conceivable and possible for the hollow profile 1 and at least one portion of the fastening element 4, which protrudes from the outer wall 3, on the outer side of the hollow profile 1 to be coated with an anti-corrosion layer 33. These components are thereby protected against weathering influences or standing water. FIG. 11 shows an example of an outer anti-corrosion layer 33. The anti-corrosion layer 33 could be, for example, a paint composition, a zinc coating or the like which is applied to the hollow profile 1 and/or to the fastening element 4. In FIG. 11, the thickness of the anti-corrosion layer 33 is illustrated in exaggerated form in order to show the anti-corrosion layer 33. The fastening element 4 is covered by the anti-corrosion layer 33 in the region of that portion of the stem 26 which protrudes from the outer wall 3.

(30) A method for fastening the add-on part 5, in particular the running rail according to the first exemplary embodiment, to the hollow profile 1 is described below. As already explained above, the passage openings 6 are drilled into the outer wall 3 of the hollow profile 1 in a preparatory stage. After the drilling, that portion 36 of the outer wall 3 which bounds the passage opening 6 is in each case in the form of a circular cylinder jacket. The sealing compound 7, in particular the adhesive, is then applied to that portion 36 of the outer wall 3 which bounds the respective passage opening 6. Sealing compound 7 is optionally also applied to that region of the inner surface 9 in which the head 8 of the fastening element 4 rests in the operating state of the hollow profile 1, as is the case in the first exemplary embodiment. In an alternative embodiment, the adhesive could instead also be applied to the fastening element 4. Some adhesives also require the adhesive to be applied to the two components to be joined. This substantially depends on the adhesive which is used.

(31) Furthermore, the fastening elements 4 are introduced into the respective passage opening 6. In the exemplary embodiment, the fastening elements 4 are introduced during the production process of the hollow profile 1 in a method step in which the cavity 2 is still accessible, in order to plug the fastening element 4 from the cavity 2 through the passage opening 6. During the insertion of the fastening element 4, the threaded portion 10 is advantageously covered in order to prevent soiling of the threaded portion 10 with sealing compound 7 when guiding the fastening element 4 through the passage opening 6. After the insertion of the fastening element 4, the intermediate space between that portion of 36 of the outer wall 3 which bounds the passage opening 6 and the fastening element 4 is sealed with sealing compound 7, in particular the adhesive.

(32) During the insertion of the fastening element 4, the hollow profile 1 can be placed upside down, i.e., after the insertion, the respective fastening element 4 rests with its head 8 on the inner surface 9 of the outer wall 3 and is pressed fully onto the inner surface 9 by the dead weight of the fastening element 4. The dead weight of the fastening element 4 is generally sufficient in order to ensure a secure adhesive bond between the fastening element 4 and the outer wall 3. However, it is also conceivable and possible for the fastening element 4 to be pretensioned, for example by a nut, while the sealing compound 7, for example the adhesive, cures. Furthermore, the fastening element 4 could also be driven into the passage opening 6 with a spring back-free hammer. The tightness can be verified by a tightness test.

(33) After the sealing compound 7 has cured, an anti-corrosion layer 33, for example a protective coating, can be applied from the outside to the outer wall 3 and to a portion of the fastening element 4, which portion protrudes from the outer wall 3, as has already been explained in conjunction with FIG. 11. The threaded portion 10 of the fastening element 4 is advantageously covered during the application of the anti-corrosion layer 33. After the application of the anti-corrosion layer 33, this covering can be removed again from the fastening element 4.

(34) After the curing and/or drying of the optional corrosion coating 33, the rail base 25 and the add-on part 5 can furthermore then be placed onto the hollow profile 1. After the clamp lower part 24 and the rail clamp 13 are pushed onto the fastening element 4, the rail clamp 15 is clamped down by tightening of the nut 22, in order to fasten the add-on part 5 to the hollow profile 1. Furthermore, the optional protective cap 23 can be pushed over the nut 22.

(35) As can be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, a fastening element 35 for the additional fastening of the add-on part 5 to the hollow profile 1 is provided in the region outside the cavity 2. In the first exemplary embodiment, the fastening element 35 is formed analogously to the fastening element 4. However, the head 8 of the fastening element 35 is accessible from the outside, i.e. the fastening element 35 is guided through a passage opening 32 which penetrates a portion 36 of the outer wall 3 of the hollow profile 1, which portion 36 is open toward the atmosphere on both sides, cf. FIG. 4. Otherwise, the fastening of the add-on part 5 by the fastening element 35 can take place analogously to the fastening element 4. The intermediate space between that portion 36 of the outer wall 3 which bounds the passage opening 32 and the fastening elements 35 can also be sealed here with a cross-linkable or crosslinked sealing compound 7, in particular adhesive. However, this sealing can also be omitted at this point.

(36) FIGS. 7 to 9 show alternative embodiments of suitable fastening elements 4. The fastening element 4 which is illustrated in FIG. 7 is designed as a screw which has a threaded portion 10 extending substantially as far as the head 8. The sealing between the outer wall 3 and the fastening element 4 then follows in a region of the threaded portion 10 that is adjacent to the head 8.

(37) FIG. 8 shows a fastening element 4 designed as a bolt. The bolt has a head 8 and a threaded portion 10 for pretensioning the fastening element 4. In the mounted state, the stem 26 is located in the region of the passage opening 6, analogously to the first exemplary embodiment. Apart from the head 8, which is designed as a circular cylindrical head, the operating principle of the fastening element 4 according to this variant embodiment is similar to the shoulder bolt according to FIG. 6. In particular, it is also conceivable and possible for sealing compound 7 to be arranged in the region of the head 8 which, in the operating state, is supported on the inner surface 9 of the outer wall 3.

(38) FIG. 9 shows a further fastening element 4 which is designed as a bolt. In contrast to the bolt illustrated in FIG. 8, the bolt according to FIG. 9 does not have a head. In particular when a bolt of this type is used, it is advantageous if the sealing compound 7 is an adhesive. The adhesive bonding then takes place on the lateral surface of the stem 26 of the bolt and then absorbs the counter torque for the fastening of the add-on part 5. The bolt according to FIG. 9 additionally has a threaded portion 10 which, analogously to the first exemplary embodiment, forms a screw connection, for example with a nut, for clamping down the rail clamp 13. In a further embodiment, such a bolt can also have a continuous thread on its entire lateral outer surface, i.e. can be designed in principle like the screw according to FIG. 7 only without the head 8.

(39) FIG. 10 illustrates a second exemplary embodiment of a hollow profile 1 according to the invention. The structural design of the hollow profile 1 and the arrangement of the add-on part 5, which is also designed here as a running rail for a trolley, corresponds to that of the first exemplar embodiment, and therefore, in the explanations regarding the second exemplary embodiment, reference is primarily made to the differences over the first exemplary embodiment. Apart from the differences listed below, the explanations regarding the first exemplary embodiment also apply in the case of the second exemplary embodiment.

(40) In the second exemplary embodiment, it is provided that the fastening element 4 is designed as a bolt. The bolt has a rectangular opening 27 orthogonally to its longitudinal extent for the passage of a wedge 28. FIG. 10 shows a sectional illustration in which the wedge 28 is inserted into the opening 27. Arrangements of this type with a wedge 28 for bracing two components are known. The fastening element 4 is fastened at a cylinder casing surface of the bolt to the hollow profile 1 with sealing compound 7, in particular adhesive. The rail clamp 13 is clamped down by the wedge 28 being knocked in.

(41) FIGS. 1 to 11 illustrate hollow profiles 1 which serve for fastening add-on parts 5 which are designed as a running rail. The crane 14 according to FIG. 2 also has, in addition to the hollow profiles 1, further crane girders in the manner of a hollow profile according to the invention. The supports 19 and the horizontal connections 20 are designed as hollow profiles 15 which can have fastening elements 4 (not illustrated) according to the invention. For example, ladders or other add-on parts 5 of the crane 14 could be fastened to the hollow profiles 15 by fastening elements arranged on the hollow profiles 15. Within the context of the invention, it is also advantageous in this connection if the respective cavity of the hollow profile 15 is completely separated from the surroundings.

(42) Embodiments of the invention in which the sealing compound 7 is an adhesive are shown in the exemplary embodiments. However, it can also be provided that the sealing compound 7 substantially serves only for sealing the intermediate space between that portion 36 of the outer wall 3 which bounds the passage opening 6 and the fastening element 4 and has only a small fastening effect, if any at all. It should then be ensured that the counter torque for pretensioning the fastening element 4 is provided in another manner, for example by a form-fitting connection to the inner surface 9 of the outer wall 3, said form-fitting connection preventing rotation of the head 8 of the fastening element 4.

(43) In a departure from the example of a crane 14 that is shown in FIG. 2, the crane could also have only a single main girder instead of two main girders, wherein a pair of running rails is then advantageously fastenable to the hollow profile 1 by a multiplicity of fastening elements 4.

KEY FOR THE REFERENCE NUMBERS

(44) 1 Hollow profile 2 Cavity 3 Outer wall 4 Fastening elements 5 Add-on part 6 Passage opening 7 Sealing compound 8 Head 9 Inner surface 10 Threaded portion 11 Gap width 12 Running wheel 13 Rail clamp 14 Crane 15 Hollow profile 16 Trolley 17 Hoist 18 Chassis 19 Support 20 Horizontal connection 21 Horizontal connection 22 Nut 23 Protective cap 24 Clamp lower part 25 Rail base 26 Stem 27 Opening 28 Wedge 29 Weld seam 30 Direction of movement 31 Movement direction 32 Passage opening 33 Anti-corrosion layer 34 Wedge securing disks 35 Fastening element 36 Portion