METHOD FOR PRODUCING A CONNECTION, AND CONNECTION DEVICE

Abstract

A method for producing a connection, between attachment ends of two components that are to be connected, by means of two connection flanges, each of which is provided at one attachment end, wherein a sealable cavity is formed between those sides of the two connection flanges that are to face each other, wherein a closable and, if necessary, openable channel is provided between the cavity and a surrounding environment, and a negative pressure is generated in the cavity and the channel is closed, wherein a trigger mechanism is provided which is configured to open the channel in an automated manner upon the occurrence of a trigger criterion, and also to a corresponding connection device and to the use thereof.

Claims

1. A method for producing a connection between attachment ends of two components that are to be connected, by means of two connection flanges, each of which is provided at one attachment end, wherein a sealable cavity is formed between the sides of the two connection flanges that are to face each other, wherein a closable channel which can be opened when needed is provided between the cavity and a surrounding environment, wherein a negative pressure is generated in the cavity and the channel is closed, and wherein a trigger mechanism is provided which is configured to open the channel in an automated manner upon the occurrence of a trigger criterion.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the channel is designed to be closable, and can be opened when needed, by means of a valve, and wherein the trigger mechanism is configured to open the channel in an automated manner by actuating the valve upon the occurrence of a trigger criterion.

3. The method according to claim 2, wherein the trigger mechanism is configured to be triggered via a signal upon the occurrence of a trigger criterion.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the trigger mechanism is coupled to a movement of one of the components, or of a container or a tank connected thereto.

5. The method according to claim 1, wherein the trigger mechanism is electrically triggered.

6. The method according to claim 5, wherein an electromagnetic valve is provided as the valve, which remains closed when energized and opens when a flow of current or a power supply is interrupted.

7. The method according to claim 1, wherein the trigger mechanism is triggered mechanically.

8. The method according to claim 1, for producing a connection between two attachment ends of portions of a liquefied gas transfer line.

9. v A connection device for producing a connection between attachment ends of two components that are to be connected, wherein each attachment end is provided with a connection flange, wherein the connection device is designed in such a manner that a sealable cavity in which a negative pressure can be generated can be formed between the sides of the two connection flanges that are to face each other, wherein a closable channel which can be opened when needed is provided between the cavity and a surrounding environment, further comprising a trigger mechanism which is configured to open the channel in an automated manner upon the occurrence of a trigger criterion.

10. The connection device according to claim 9, further comprising a valve designed in such a manner that the channel can be closed and can be opened as needed, wherein the trigger mechanism is configured to open the channel in an automated manner by actuating the valve upon the occurrence of a trigger criterion.

11. The connection device according to claim 10, wherein the trigger mechanism is configured to be triggered via a signal upon the occurrence of a trigger criterion.

12. The connection device according to claim 9, wherein the trigger mechanism is coupled to a movement of one of the components, or of a container or a tank connected thereto.

13. The connection device according to claim 9, wherein the trigger mechanism is configured to be electrically triggered.

14. The connection device according to claim 13, having an electromagnetic valve as the valve, which is configured to remain closed when energized, and to open when a flow of current or a power supply is interrupted.

15. The connection device according to claim 9, wherein the trigger mechanism is configured to be triggered mechanically.

16. The use of a connection device according to claim 9 for producing the connection between the attachment ends of the two components that are to be connected, which connection is to be released in an automated manner if necessary, in particular upon the occurrence of the trigger criterion.

17. The use according to claim 16, for producing the connection between the two attachment ends of portions of a liquefied gas transfer line.

18. A transfer line for liquefied gas, having multiple portions which are connectable or connected to each other by means of at least one connection device according to claim 9.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0022] FIG. 1 schematically shows a transfer device connection device according to the invention in a preferred embodiment.

[0023] FIG. 1 schematically shows a connection device 100 according to the invention in a preferred embodiment, which will be explained in more detail below along with an explanation of an associated method according to the invention. By way of example, the device 100 is used to connect two portions 111 and 121 of a liquefied gas transfer line 101 to each other. By means of the transfer line 101, liquefied gas will be transferred from a first container 190 (for example, a storage container) into a second container 192 (for example, in a tanker ship). A valve 191 is also provided by way of example on the first container 190.

[0024] It should be noted at this juncture that the connection device 100 can ultimately be located at a suitable location of the transfer line, and optionally directly on one of the containers 190, 192for example, on a connection piece. Multiple such connection devices 100 can also be provided, if necessary. The shown location is solely used as an example, serving only to illustrate the invention. The connection device 100 itself is also shown in a different scale and in greater detail than the rest of the transfer line and the containers.

[0025] The connection device 100 serves to establish a connection between the two attachment ends 110 and 120 of the two components 111, 121 that are to be connected, the same designed as portions of a transfer line. In accordance with the components being designed as portions of a transfer line, or a line in general, the attachment ends 110, 120 are tubular in designi.e., with an outer wall which delimits a free space in the interior. This is also illustrated accordingly. These free spaces thus form an opening at each end, which is denoted by the number 124 for the attachment end 120, by way of example.

[0026] Furthermore, a connection flange 112 or 122 is provided on each attachment end 110, 120. The attachment ends 110, 120 can each be an end piece of the respective line portion 111, 121, or a separate part, and optionally also welded or otherwise attached. The connection flanges 112, 122 in turn can be welded or otherwise connected to the attachment end 110, 120. However, it is also conceivable that they are formed in one piece therewith and thus form part of the attachment ends 110, 120.

[0027] A sealable and evacuable cavity 130 is provided between sides of the two connection flanges 112 and 122 which will face each other. This cavity is formed on the one hand by the two mentioned sides and/or the surfaces of the connection flanges 112 and 122 there, and on the other hand by two annular seals and/or sealing rings 140 and 142. These seals can be made, for example, of rubber, although other materials can also be selected according to the intended use of the connection and/or the components that are to be connected with it. The seal 140 is arranged on the inner side of the connection flange 110, 120i.e., it faces the free space in the interior of the attachment ends and/or their openings 124; in contrast, the seal 142 is arranged on the outer side of the connection flange 110, 120i.e., it faces the surrounding environment.

[0028] Furthermore, a channel 132 is provided between the cavity 130 and the surrounding environment, which channel is formed in the connection flange 110 in the example shown, for example as a corresponding bore or the like. Whereas the connection of the channel 132 to the cavity 130 is open, at the other end of the channelthat is, towards the surrounding environmenta valve 134 is provided. The channel can be closed by means of the valve 1343 and can be opened if necessary.

[0029] Furthermore, a vacuum pump 150 which is connected to the valve 132 is shown. When the valve 130 is open, the cavity 130 can be evacuated when the vacuum pump 150 is actuated, or at least a negative pressure can be generated therein. When the cavity 130 is evacuated and/or the generated negative pressure is sufficiently large, the valve 130 can be closed. By means of the vacuum or the negative pressure in the cavity 130, a force is thus generated from the outside onto the connection flanges 110, 120, which presses them against each other and thus connects the attachment ends 110, 120 and/or the portions 111, 121 to each other.

[0030] At this point it should be mentioned that the cavity does not necessarily have to have the shape or form shown here. Other shapes of the mutually facing sides of the connection flanges 110, 120, or also only of one connection flange, are conceivable, for example. The fact that a cavity is formed at all that can be evacuated or in which a vacuum or at least a negative pressure can form it what is ultimately decisive. The seals can also be designed differently. The channel 132 also does not have to have the shape shown; rather, it could, for example, extend continuously perpendicularly through one of the connection flanges.

[0031] Furthermore, two screws 114 with associated nuts 115 are shown by way of example (only one of them with reference signs). The screws are in each case guided and screwed through suitable openings or holes in the two connection flanges 110, 120. In this way, additional stability can be achieved. It should be understood that, in any case in the situation shown by way of example, a suitable sealing of the openings or passages for the screws must be provided, so that the cavity 130 can be evacuated. For this purpose, for example, further sealing rings are conceivable between the two connection flanges 110, 120, which surround the screws and thus ultimately remove certain regions from the cavity 130. Likewise, the screws and/or the necessary passages can also be arranged outside the cavity 130, or the seals 140, 142 can be arranged such that the screws or passages are excluded from the cavity 130.

[0032] Furthermore, a trigger mechanism 136 is provided on the valve 134, which, by way of example, can be via a signal 196, which can in turn be output by a measuring or detection device 194 on the second container 192 if, for example, a specific trigger criterion such as a movement of the second container 192 is detected. In such a case, however, the trigger mechanism 136 can automatically open the channel 132, for example by opening the valve 134. However, it is also conceivable that, as already mentioned above, the valve itself is an electromagnetic valve that remains closed by energization. In this case, the signal 196 can also be an interruption of the power supply, as a result of which the channel 132 is opened. The trigger mechanism would then be integrated into the valve.

[0033] After all, it is particularly important that the channel 132 can be opened (automatically) in the presence of a trigger criterion, and consequently the vacuum in the cavity 130 can be broken, so that the connection force acting on the connection flanges 110, 120 due to the negative pressure or the vacuum is reduced, in particular down to zero. The connection flanges 110, 120 are then held together only by the screws 114 or nuts 115, which are in particular designed to be weak. This connection then only withstands a certain overload, and releases the connection beyond it. In this way, a vacuum-assisted predetermined breaking point is thus formed.

[0034] Furthermore, it can then be provided that, when the connection is released and/or disconnected, for example, the valve 191 is closed, optionally automatically, for example also via the signal 196, in order to avoid further outflow from the first container 190.