DEVICE FOR CLOSED SYSTEMS FOR EQUALIZING PRESSURE SURGES

Abstract

Device (1) for closed systems for equalization of pressure surges, having an outlet nozzle (2), on which an impact plate (3) is provided and a hinged cover (4) is mounted pivotably, wherein the hinged cover (4) lies in a rest position (5) on the outlet nozzle (2) and in an open position (6) bears on the impact plate (3), wherein at least one holding-closed device (7) is provided, which presses the hinged cover (4) in the rest position (5) against the outlet nozzle (2) and in the case of a pressure surge releases the hinged cover (4), wherein the device has a control unit (8) that controls the holding-closed device (7).

Claims

1. A device (1) for closed systems for equalization of pressure surges, having an outlet nozzle (2), on which an impact plate (3) is provided and a hinged cover (4) is mounted pivotably, wherein the hinged cover (4) lies in a rest position (5) on the outlet nozzle (2) and in an open position (6) bears on the impact plate (3), wherein at least one holding-closed device (7) is provided, which presses the hinged cover (4) in the rest position (5) against the outlet nozzle (2) and in the case of a pressure surge releases the hinged cover (4), wherein the device has a control unit (8) that controls the holding-closed device (7).

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein at least one sensor (15) is provided that registers the position of the hinged cover (4) and communicates it to the control unit (8).

3. The device according to claim 1, wherein the holding-closed device (7) is pneumatically adjustable.

4. The device according to claim 3, wherein a compressed-air accumulator (14) is provided as an energy store or buffer, which supplies the holding-closed device (7) with compressed air.

5. The device according to claim 3, wherein the holding-closed device (7) has a pneumatic cylinder (21) having a movable piston (32).

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein

7. The device according to claim 5, wherein an interlocking lever (20) is linked pivotably at the free end of the piston (32) and these together form an articulated joint (28).

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein one end of the interlocking lever (20) is mounted pivotably around a lever axle (26), wherein the lever axle (26) is mounted in the housing (23).

9. The device according to claim 7, wherein the interlocking lever (20) has a recess (31) at the transition of the rim of the hinged cover (4).

10. The device according to claim 3, wherein the holding-closed device (7) has a fast-venting means (22).

11. The device according to claim 1, wherein the control unit (8) controls the holding-closed device (7) in such a way that the holding-closed device (7) presses the hinged cover (4) onto the outlet nozzle (2) only after a predefined time interval following a pressure surge.

Description

[0021] Further features, details and advantages of the invention will become apparent on the basis of the following description hereinafter as well as on the basis of the drawings. Items or elements corresponding to one another are denoted by the same reference symbol in all figures, wherein

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a device according to the invention,

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the pneumatic structure of the device from FIG. 1,

[0024] FIG. 3 shows a cross-sectional diagram of a device according to the invention, wherein the hinged cover is in the rest position,

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a cross-sectional diagram of a holding-closed according to the invention, wherein the hinged cover is in the rest position,

[0026] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional diagram of a device according to the invention, wherein the hinged cover is in the open position,

[0027] FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional diagram of a holding-closed device according to the invention, wherein the hinged cover is in the open position.

[0028] In FIG. 1, a perspective view of a device 1 according to the invention is illustrated, which has an outlet nozzle 2, which preferably is designed as a cylindrical tube, wherein a flange 13, which is formed as a circumferential annular broadening of the outlet nozzle 2 and has a large number of bores, is provided at one end of the outlet nozzle 2. The device 1 is mounted detachably with the flange 13 on an opening of a system, not illustrated, for example a container or a silo. This opening has a diameter that is not larger than the diameter of the outlet nozzle 2.

[0029] At the end of the outlet nozzle 2 situated opposite the flange 13, a pivotable hinged cover 4, an impact plate 3 and at least one holding-closed device 7 are provided. As an example, three holding-closed devices 7 are provided in this embodiment, wherein the number of holding-closed devices 7 depends on the diameter of the outlet nozzle 2.

[0030] Transverse to a longitudinal extent or axis of symmetry 14, two frame elements 11, on which respectively one profile 10 is detachably mounted that is aligned substantially parallel to the longitudinal extent or axis of symmetry 14 of the outlet nozzle 2, are disposed spaced apart from one another on the outside of the outlet nozzle 2. The impact plate 3 is detachably disposed on the profiles 10, and thus is rigidly joined to the outlet nozzle 2 via the frame elements 11.

[0031] The hinged cover 4 is mounted pivotably in the profiles 10 and in this diagram is in a rest position 5. In this rest position 5, the hinged cover 4 lies on the end of the outlet nozzle 2 that is situated opposite the flange 13, and is pressed by the holding closed devices 7 against the outlet nozzle 2, in order to seal off the system, not illustrated, in airtight manner. In the case of an explosion in the system, not illustrated, the hinged cover 4 is blown open by the resulting pressure surge, wherein the holding-closed devices 7 release the hinged cover 4 and this is able to pivot around a pivot axle 19 into an open position 6 and thus strike the impact plate 3. Hereby the kinetic energy of the hinged cover 4 is transferred to the impact plate 3 and thus a destruction of the hinged cover 4 is prevented.

[0032] The situation may occur that the hinged cover 4 gives up its kinetic energy completely to the impact plate 3 and sticks in undesired manner in the open position 6. In order to prevent this, a restoring spring 12, which in such a situation moves the hinged cover 4 in the direction of the outlet nozzle 2, is disposed around the pivot axle 19 of the hinged cover 4. The restoring spring 12 is also advantageous in installation situations in which the device 1 is installed in a position inclined to the horizontal.

[0033] In FIG. 2, a perspective view is shown of the pneumatic structure of the device from FIG. 1. This pneumatic structure has a compressed-air accumulator 9 as energy store or buffer, a control unit 8 and at least one holding-closed device 7, which are in communication with lines 16. Via the line 16, the control unit 8 as well as the holding-closed device 7 is supplied with compressed air. A compressed-air port 17, which is in communication with a compressed-air system, not illustrated, is disposed on the compressed-air accumulator 9. Furthermore, a sensor 15, which in this embodiment is designed as a roller pushbutton, is connected to the control unit 8 and communicates the position of the hinged cover 4 to the control unit 8.

[0034] The active interlocking of the hinged cover 4 controls or regulates the control unit 8, which preferably is of pneumatic design. If the hinged cover 4 drops back into its rest position 5 after an explosion, the sensor 15 is activated and communicates a signal to the control unit 8, whereby the holding-closed device 7 is pressurized in time-delayed manner with compressed air, which is transported via the lines 16, and actively presses the hinged cover 4 onto the outlet nozzle 2 and thus seals off the system in airtight manner. In this connection, the time delay is set to a desired value and is controlled by a timing valve, not illustrated. Furthermore, the control unit 8 is provided with the following components, not illustrated: A vent valve, a pressure regulator, a pressure-measuring transducer (4-20 mA) and a safety valve for limitation of the maximum pressure.

[0035] In FIG. 3, a cross-sectional diagram is shown of a device according to the invention, wherein the hinged cover is in the rest position 5.

[0036] In FIG. 4, the detail A from FIG. 3 is illustrated in enlarged manner, and it shows a cross-sectional diagram of a holding-closed device according to the invention in a blocking position. The outlet nozzle 2 bounds an internal volume 18, which in the exemplary embodiment is empty, although it is also conceivable that a flame-arresting element, which is formed from a honeycomb structure, for example, is contained in the internal volume 18. The axis of symmetry 14 extends substantially parallel to the axial direction of the outlet nozzle 2.

[0037] The holding-closed device 7 has a housing 23, which is joined by a connecting profile 24 to the outlet nozzle 2 and has a weather-protection hood 25. A pneumatic cylinder 21, which is mounted pivotably around an axle 27, is disposed inside the housing 23. The pneumatic cylinder 21 has a piston 32, which executes a translation movement away from the pneumatic cylinder 21 as soon as the holding-closed device 7 and consequently also the pneumatic cylinder 21 is pressurized with compressed air. For this purpose, the pneumatic cylinder 21 is in communication via lines, not illustrated, with the compressed-air accumulator 9 and/or with the control unit 8. If the pressurization of the pneumatic cylinder 21 with compressed air is canceled, a restoring spring inside the pneumatic cylinder 21 ensures that the piston 32 is drawn into the interior of the pneumatic cylinder 21.

[0038] At the free end of the piston 32, i.e. at the end that is not enclosed in the pneumatic cylinder 21, one end of an interlocking lever 20 is mounted pivotably and forms an articulated joint 28 together with the piston 32. Another end of the interlocking lever 20 is mounted pivotably around the lever axle 26. The axle 27 and the lever axle 26 are formed by round profiles, which in FIGS. 4 and 6 extend substantially parallel to the normals to the surface of the drawing plane. These round profiles are connected detachably to the housing 23 and permit merely a rotation of the pneumatic cylinder 21 or of the interlocking lever 20 around the respective axle. Due to the rim conditions, a combination of a rotation and translation movement is possible only by a translation movement of the piston 32.

[0039] The interlocking lever 20 has a recess 31 at the transition of the rim of the hinged cover 4 and thus makes it possible for the force that acts on the hinged cover 4 to be oriented substantially parallel to the axis of symmetry 14. Hereby the seal 30 between the outlet nozzle 2 and the hinged cover 4 is deformed elastically in such a way that the system, not illustrated, is sealed off in airtight manner with the device.

[0040] Until the establishment of a set static response pressure, which is variably adjustable with the control unit 8, the hinged cover 4 is held in the rest position 5 by the interlocking lever lying on it. If the pressure in the system exceeds the response pressure, the pneumatic cylinder 21 is vented suddenly via a fast-venting means 22, so that the piston 23 is drawn into the pneumatic cylinder 21 by the restoring spring built into the pneumatic cylinder 21, wherein hereby the interlocking lever 20 changes over from a blocking position to a releasing position and releases the hinged cover 4, so that this is able to pivot toward the impact plate 3.

[0041] In FIG. 5, a cross-sectional diagram is shown of a device according to the invention, wherein the hinged cover is in the open position 6. In FIG. 6, the detail B from FIG. 5 is illustrated in enlarged manner, and it shows a cross-sectional diagram of a holding-closed device according to the invention in a releasing position. By means of an additional sensor 29, which is preferably disposed underneath the interlocking lever 20, the position of the hinged cover 4 may be determined in a control station of a remote-maintenance system.

[0042] Naturally the invention is not limited to the illustrated exemplary embodiments. Further configurations are possible without departing from the basic ideas. Thus the device may also be equipped with underpressure doors, in order to prevent an implosion of the system. Furthermore, it may be practical for the hinged cover to be equipped with temperature sensors and an electric heating system. In this respect, it is advantageous that the hinged cover can be kept free of snow loads and ice formation. Since the control unit and the holding-closed device are of completely pneumatic design and also a compressed-air accumulator is provided as energy store or buffer, the correct function of the device according to the invention is always still ensured in the case of a current failure, since it is independent of the voltage supply. Furthermore, it must be kept in mind that an active pressing closed is always meant by pressing closed.

LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS

[0043] 1 Device [0044] 2 Outlet nozzle [0045] 3 impact plate [0046] 4 Hinged cover [0047] 5 Rest position [0048] 6 Open position [0049] 7 Holding-closed device [0050] 8 Control unit [0051] 9 Compressed-air accumulator [0052] 10 Profile [0053] 11 Frame element [0054] 12 Restoring spring [0055] 13 Flange [0056] 14 Axis of symmetry [0057] 15 Roller pushbutton [0058] 16 Line [0059] 17 Compressed-air port [0060] 18 Internal volume [0061] 19 Pivot axis [0062] 20 Interlocking lever [0063] 21 Pneumatic cylinder [0064] 22 Fast-venting means [0065] 23 Housing [0066] 24 Connecting profile [0067] 25 Weather-protection hood [0068] 26 Lever axle [0069] 27 Axle [0070] 28 Articulated joint [0071] 29 Sensor [0072] 30 Seal [0073] 31 Recess [0074] 32 Piston