ROTARY SLIDE ASSEMBLY, AND METHOD FOR MONITORING THE WEAR OF A SLIDE IN A ROTARY SLIDE ASSEMBLY

Abstract

The invention relates to a rotary slide assembly and to a method for monitoring the wear of one or more slides in a rotary slide assembly, comprising a rotary slide rotor and one or more slide receiving areas for the slide(s) in the rotary slide rotor. The wear state of the one or more slides is detected during the operation or during a standstill of the rotary slide assembly. For this purpose, the slide(s) or one or more corresponding slide receiving areas in interaction with the one or more slides are used to generate or request an electric or electronic signal.

Claims

1-12. (canceled)

13. A method for monitoring the wear of one or more slides (7) in a rotary slide assembly (1), comprising a rotary slide rotor (5) and one or more slide receiving areas (6) for the slide or slides (7) in the rotary slide rotor (5), comprising the step of detecting a wear state of the one or more slides (7) during operation of the rotary slide assembly (1), by generating a request of an electric or electronic signal by the slide or slides (7) themselves or one or more associated slide receiving areas (6) in their interaction with the slide or slides (7), wherein the signal is continuously generated and reflects a wear state of the slide (7) or slide(s).

14. The method according to claim 13, wherein a value (W.sub.ACTUAL) for a relative position of a slide (7) in the slide receiving area (6) is detected and evaluated by a sensor (S) at a standstill of the rotary slide assembly or continuously during operation of the rotary slide assembly (1).

15. The method according to claim 14, wherein the detected value (W.sub.ACTUAL) is compared with a set value (W.sub.SET) and an action is triggered upon falling below or exceeding the set value (W.sub.SET).

16. The method according to claim 15, wherein the action is generating a warning tone and/or switching off the rotary slide assembly (1) and/or sending a message.

17. The method according to claim 14, wherein the detected value (W.sub.ACTUAL) is a distance measure (c) detected at each revolution or at each xth revolution of the rotary slide rotor (5).

18. The method according to claim 14, wherein the detected value (W.sub.ACTUAL) is a state of two states that is detected at each revolution or at each xth revolution of the rotary slide rotor (5).

19. The method according to claim 14, wherein the detected value (W.sub.ACTUAL) is determined by a transponder, in particular based on RFID.

20. A rotary slide assembly (1) with a rotary slide device (2) comprising a housing (3), a rotary slide chamber (4) and a rotary slide rotor (5), wherein slides (7) are arranged radially movably in slide receiving areas (6) in the rotary slide rotor (5), wherein one or more slides (7) themselves or one or more slide receiving areas (6) in their interaction with the slide or slides (7) are configured to generate a requestable electric or electronic signal for detecting a wear state of the slide or slides (7), wherein detection of the wear state is performed when the rotary slide assembly (1) is at a standstill and/or during operation of the rotary slide assembly (1), wherein a sensor (S) is provided which allows the position of a slide (7) in the slide receiving area (6) to be detected in a certain angular position of the rotary slide rotor (5) or independently thereof, for comparison of the detected value (W) with a set value (WsET).

21. The rotary slide assembly according to claim 20, wherein the value detected via the sensor is a continuously detected measure of a distance of the slide (7), which is detected at each revolution or at each xth revolution of the rotary slide rotor (5), or is a continuously detected state of at least two states, so that a comparison is continuously made as to whether the set value (W.sub.SET) is reached or not.

22. The rotary slide assembly according to claim 21, wherein the sensor (S) is a proximity sensor (15), a transponder or a tactile sensor, the signals of which are evaluated electronically.

23. A rotary slide assembly (1) with a rotary slide device (2) comprising a housing (3), a rotary slide chamber (4) and a rotary slide rotor (5), wherein slides (7) are arranged radially movably in slide receiving areas (6) in the rotary slide rotor (5), wherein one or more slide receiving areas (6) in their interaction with the slide or slides (7) are configured to be used to generate a requestable electric or electronic signal for detecting a wear state of the slide or slides (7), wherein, the detection of the wear state is performed when the rotary slide assembly (1) is at a standstill and/or during operation of the rotary slide assembly (1), wherein the slides (7) are received in slot-shaped slide receiving areas (6) which extend over an entire axial length of the rotor, and further comprising light barrier having a light transmitter and a light receiver, wherein the light barrier is arranged in such a way that prior to reaching a wear limit, the light barrier is interrupted by the slide (7) located in the receiving area, and upon reaching the wear limit, the emitted light beam can reach the light receiver through the resulting free space in the slide receiving area (6).

24. A rotary slide assembly (1) with a rotary slide device (2) comprising a housing (3), a rotary slide chamber (4) and a rotary slide rotor (5), wherein slides (7) are arranged radially movably in slide receiving areas (6) in the rotary slide rotor (5), wherein one or more slides (7) themselves or one or more receiving areas (6) in their interaction with the slide or slides (7) are used to generate a requestable electric or electronic signal for detecting a wear state of the slide or slides (7), wherein detection of the wear state is performed when the rotary slide assembly (1) is at a standstill and/or during operation of the rotary slide assembly (1), further comprising a sensor (S) which consists of a voltage source (17) and a conductor (18) which connects the voltage source (17) in the sense of a short circuit, wherein the electrical conductor acts in a switch-like manner upon reaching a wear limit, and the switching state is detected via corresponding evaluation electronics, wherein, further, the conductor is arranged in the slide (7) and is ultimately be exposed with increasing wear of the slide (7), wherein at a certain wear state of the slide (7), the conductor (18) establishes an electrically conductive connection with the voltage source (17), wherein ends of a voltage or switching circuit, which are bridged in the closed position by the electrically conductive conductor in a switch-like manner, are exposed in the chamber wall along which the slides slip.

25. A rotary slide assembly (1) with a rotary slide device (2) comprising a housing (3), a rotary slide chamber (4) and a rotary slide rotor (5), wherein slides (7) are arranged radially movably in slide receiving areas (6) in the rotary slide rotor (5), wherein one or more slides (7) themselves or one or more receiving areas (6) in their interaction with the slide or slides (7) are used to generate a requestable electric or electronic signal for detecting a wear state of the slide or slides (7), wherein detection of the wear state is performed when the rotary slide assembly (1) is at a standstill and/or during operation of the rotary slide assembly (1), wherein a detected value (W) is determined by a current generated by a magnet and a coil during one revolution of the rotary slide rotor, wherein the assembly is configured to detect not only a state of reaching the wear limit but, also increasing wear of the slide (7) the form of continuously detected values since the current generated by the magnet (23) and the coil (22) increases with increasing wear of the slide (7) and the related increasing proximity of magnet (23) and coil (22), so that a detected current level indicates a current wear state of the slide (7).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Hereinafter, the invention is explained with reference to the accompanying drawing which, however, only represents exemplary embodiments. A part which is explained only with reference to one of the exemplary embodiments and which is not replaced by another part in a further exemplary embodiment due to the special feature highlighted therein is thus also described for this further embodiment as a possible existing part in any case. In the drawing:

[0060] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a rotary slide assembly;

[0061] FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a rotary slide chamber of the rotary slide assembly with a rotary slide rotor and slides received in slide receiving areas, as well as a sensor for detecting the slide position;

[0062] FIG. 3 shows the schematic front view of FIG. 2;

[0063] FIG. 4 shows the enlargement of the region IV in FIG. 3;

[0064] FIG. 5 shows an illustration corresponding to FIG. 4, but relating to a slide wear position detected by sensor;

[0065] FIG. 6 shows a schematic cross-sectional view through the rotary slide chamber with rotary slide rotor and slides, relating to a second embodiment with regard to the arrangement and design of the sensor system;

[0066] FIG. 7 shows the enlargement of the region VII in FIG. 6;

[0067] FIG. 8 shows an illustration corresponding to FIG. 7, but relating to a slide wear position detected by sensor;

[0068] FIG. 9 shows a diagram illustrating the detected sensor values compared with a set value;

[0069] FIG. 10 shows an enlarged detailed sectional view according to FIG. 7, but relating to a third embodiment;

[0070] FIG. 11 shows an illustration corresponding to FIG. 10, but relating to a slide wear position;

[0071] FIG. 12 shows a diagram according to FIG. 9, relating to the embodiment according to FIGS. 10 and 11;

[0072] FIG. 13 shows an illustration substantially corresponding to FIG. 10, relating to another embodiment;

[0073] FIG. 14 shows, in another embodiment, an illustration according to FIG. 10; and

[0074] FIG. 15 shows a further illustration corresponding to FIG. 10, relating to an alternative embodiment.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

[0075] Shown and described, in the first instance with reference to FIG. 1, is a rotary slide assembly 1 with a rotary slide device 2, substantially comprising a housing 3 and a rotary slide chamber 4 in which a rotary slide rotor 5 is arranged to be rotatable about a geometric rotor axis x.

[0076] The rotary slide rotor 5 has slide receiving areas 6 which are aligned radially or in a secant-like manner with respect to the rotor axis x and are uniformly spaced apart from one another in the circumferential direction of the rotary slide rotor 5, and in which slides 7 are arranged such that they are slidably moveable in the radial or secant direction.

[0077] Further, and in addition, a sensor S is provided for detecting the slide position in the slide receiving area 6 in a certain angular position of the rotary slide rotor 5.

[0078] The cylindrical rotary slide rotor 5 is arranged eccentrically with respect to the rotary slide chamber 4. Accordingly, the rotor axis x runs parallel but offset to the central axis of the rotary vane chamber 4.

[0079] According to the embodiments shown, the rotary slide rotor 5 can have a plurality of slides 7, here for example three, with a corresponding number of slide receiving areas 6. At the edge, the slide receiving areas 6 are open towards the circumferential surface of the rotary slide rotor 5 so that the slides 7 can project substantially radially outwards beyond the circumferential surface 8 of the rotary slide rotor 5.

[0080] During operation of the rotary slide assembly 1, the slides 7 can be pressed against the rotary slide chamber wall 9 bounding the rotary slide chamber 4 solely by the rotation of the rotary slide rotor 5 and the resulting centrifugal force.

[0081] During operation of the rotary slide assembly 1, the rotary slide rotor 5 rotates radially offset from the center axis of the rotary slide chamber 4, preferably driven by a motor, in particular an electric motor, acting rotationally on the rotor shaft. This results in closed chambers 10, separated by the radially displaceably arranged slides 7, the size of which changes during one revolution of the rotary slide rotor 5.

[0082] The rotary slide valve chamber 4 is preferably closed at each end with respect to its longitudinal axis, for example by a rotary slide side cover 11 (see, for example, schematic illustration in FIG. 2).

[0083] Via the change in size of the chambers 10 during operation of the rotary slide assembly 1, pressure differences arise between the individual chambers 10 and thus between the inlet side 12 and the outlet side 13 of the blower formed in this manner.

[0084] During operation of the rotary slide assembly 1, the slide ends 14 of the slide assembly 7 facing away from the rotary slide rotor 5 slip along the wall 9 of the rotary slide chamber, which leads to successive wear of the slide 7 during operation. Accordingly, due to such wear, the result can be a reduction in the length a of the slides 7 viewed in the direction of displacement r of the slides 7.

[0085] Upon reaching a predetermined wear limit, replacing the slide 7 concerned or all slides 7 of the rotary slide rotor 5 is preferably scheduled. Further use of the slides 7 beyond the wear limit can lead to pressure losses, possibly to damage to the rotary slide device 2.

[0086] According to the invention, the wear state of the slide 7 is detected during operation of the rotary slide assembly 1, for which purpose the slide 7 itself or the slide receiving area 6 in interaction with the slide 7 is used to generate or request an electrical or electronic signal.

[0087] If necessary, a signal can be generated continuously and in any case during the operation of the rotary slide assembly 1, which signal reflects the wear state. In this case, the signal can first be stored and, if necessary, only requested at a later time. Continuous detection and evaluation of the signal is also possible.

[0088] Depending on whether or not the slide wear limit has been reached but, if necessary, also in the case of a repetitive measurement at each intermediate value, a signal can be generated immediately, which signal can furthermore trigger an action, such as the generation of an acoustic or visual warning message. Such an action can also be the switching off of the rotary slide assembly 1. Such a signal can also be generated only upon a corresponding request of the slide wear state.

[0089] The means for detecting and/or requesting or evaluating can be arranged directly in or on the rotary slide assembly 1. This is particularly suitable for continuous monitoring of the wear limit. Alternatively or also in combination therewith, a means separate from the rotary slide assembly 1 can be provided for detecting and/or requesting and/or evaluating, for example in the form of a portable instrument, which is brought to the rotary slide assembly 1 as required or at predetermined intervals for detecting and/or requesting the signals and evaluation.

[0090] To generate such a signal, as is preferred, a sensor S can be provided. This may be an electronic or electric sensor S.

[0091] The accompanying drawings show different embodiments and arrangements of such a sensor S. Thus, according to the illustrations in FIGS. 1 to 5, firstly, a sensor S in the form of a proximity sensor 15 is provided. This can be, for example, a capacitive distance sensor.

[0092] Such a proximity sensor 15 can be arranged, for example, in a rotary slide side cover 11 (compare, for example, FIG. 2). In this case, the arrangement of the proximity sensor 15 can be selected such, as is also preferred, that in the case of slides 7 which have not reached their wear limit, the sensor detects in the course of one revolution of the rotary slide rotor 5 about the rotor axis x in a predetermined angular position (compare, for example, FIG. 3) the slide 7 extending close to the sensor in this angular position (compare FIG. 4). Accordingly, due to the slide 7 detected in this angular position via the proximity sensor 15, a signal is generated which can be detected or evaluated as a value.

[0093] With increasing wear of the slide 7, the end 16 of the slide 7 facing away from the rotary slide chamber wall 9 and extending inside the slide receiving area 6 moves increasingly further radially outward and finally leaves the region detected by the proximity sensor 15 according to the illustration in FIG. 5. Now, the proximity sensor 15 does not detect the slide 7 in the relevant angular position in question of the rotary slide rotor 5, but rather the slide receiving area 6 exposed behind the slide end 16.

[0094] The signal generated in this way or the signal not generated in this way can be detected and evaluated as a value which allows conclusions to be drawn about the slide 7 reaching its wear limit.

[0095] Detecting the value via the proximity sensor 15 can take place in a clocked manner, for example, according to the illustrated exemplary embodiment, in full rotation of the rotary slide rotor 5 three times at regular intervals from one another, so that all slides 7 (in an arrangement of three slides 7 according to the exemplary embodiment) can be detected by the sensor system.

[0096] Also, a sensory detection can only take place at each xth revolution of the rotary slide rotor 5, for example at each second, third, fifth or even tenth revolution.

[0097] As a result of the arrangement of the sensor S, continuous monitoring of the slide states is made possible.

[0098] With an arrangement of such a proximity sensor 15, the detected value can be a detected state of two states: slide detected—slide not detected.

[0099] In an evaluation unit, the detected value can be compared with a set value. The set value in the case of a sensor system using, for example, such a proximity sensor 15 can be “slide detected”, so that preferably no further action or measure is triggered in the case of a determined value “slide detected”. If necessary, in the event of a deviation from the set value, corresponding information can also be provided in the form of a light display and/or a graphic display which indicates the correct state with respect to wear of the slide 7 or slides 7.

[0100] Deviation from the set value, for example the value “slide not detected”, can further trigger an action, for example in the form of an illuminated display, for example lighting up a red warning lamp, generating a text message on a screen and/or emitting a warning tone and/or further, for example, switching off the rotary slide assembly 1.

[0101] Alternatively to an arrangement of a proximity sensor 15, a light barrier can also be used, for example. Such a sensor S would also be arranged fixed to the housing, for example with a light transmitter in the region of the one rotary slide side cover 11 and a light receiver in the region of the opposite side cover 11. The light beam is to be aligned in such a way that in a slide position which corresponds to the position when the wear limit is reached, the light beam can be freely directed through the slide receiving area 6 and can be received by the opposite receiver. A “light received” value detected in this manner can then be interpreted as the slide reaching the wear position. Before reaching the wear position, the emitted light beam does not reach the receiver due to the slide 7 being positioned in the light path.

[0102] Also, according to the further illustrations in FIGS. 6 to 8, the sensor S can substantially consist of a voltage source 17 and a conductor 18.

[0103] As is also preferred, the electrically conductive conductor 18, for example in the form of a copper insert, can be arranged in the slide 7, if necessary completely embedded therein.

[0104] The conductor 18 is further preferably initially spaced apart from the free slider end 14 in the direction of displacement r.

[0105] Furthermore, the slide 7 as such can be made of a non-electrically conductive material.

[0106] The voltage source 17 can be provided in the rotary slide assembly 1 or associated therewith. The lines 19 and 20 are led from the voltage source 17 to the rotary slide chamber wall 9 and, further, can be provided there electrically insulated in the wall 9 in such a way that they are exposed towards the rotary slide chamber 4 in a sliding-contact manner and are spaced apart from one another (compare also FIG. 7).

[0107] With increasing wear of the slide 7, the distance b between the electrically conductive conductor 18 of the slide and the rotary slide chamber wall 9 decreases. The conductor 18 thereby preferably marks the wear limit of the slide 7.

[0108] Starting from the slide end 14, the distance b decreases with increasing wear and abrasion of the slide 7 up to a position according to FIG. 8 in which the conductor 18 is exposed due to the wear and abrasion and accordingly connects the conductors 19 and 20 in the sense of a short circuit in the course of the rotor rotation in an angular position.

[0109] A signal generated by this can be evaluated as a corresponding value of reaching the wear limit, which can trigger a corresponding action as described above. The illustration in the drawing schematically shows a light 21, which lights up in the short-circuit position according to FIG. 8 as a result of closing the circuit.

[0110] By means of the above-described embodiments, a possibly abrupt change of states is preferably detected. This is shown schematically in the diagram according to FIG. 9, in which the time t is plotted on the abscissa and the magnitude of the value W is plotted on the ordinate.

[0111] It can be seen that upon reaching the wear limit at time t′, the detected value W.sub.ACTUAL increases abruptly and reaches or exceeds the specified set value W.sub.SET. From this, a signal is generated at time t′, which preferably leads to the triggering of an action.

[0112] The ends of the conductors 19 and 20 leading freely relative to the rotary slide chamber 4 into the rotary slide chamber wall 9 as well as the conductor 18 provided in the slide 7 act in the manner of a switch upon reaching the slide wear limit.

[0113] In the circumferential direction, but if necessary also as viewed in the direction of axis extent, a plurality of sensors S configured in such a manner can be provided in the rotary slide chamber wall 9.

[0114] Moreover, this can also be the case in the schematic embodiment further shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, in which a distance dimension c is continuously monitored to monitor the slide wear limit.

[0115] Such a sensor S can consist of a coil 22 fixed to the housing and a magnet 23, in particular a permanent magnet, formed on or in the slide 7.

[0116] The magnet 23, like the previously described electrically conductive conductor 18, can be incorporated in the slide 7 or arranged accommodated therein, preferably at a distance c from the slide end 14 cooperating with the rotary slide chamber wall 9.

[0117] The coil 22 in the housing 3 is associated with the rotary slide chamber wall 9 in such a way that in a certain angular position of the rotary slide rotor 5, the magnet 23 can reach an inductive associated position with respect to the coil 22.

[0118] Via the interaction of magnet 23 and coil 22, a current is induced in the coil and an electric voltage is generated each time the slide 7 passes the coil 22. With increasing wear of the slide 7 and related decrease of the distance c between the magnet 23 and the coil 22, the value of the induced electric current and/or voltage increases.

[0119] The current and/or voltage values can be continuously detected and, if necessary, recorded. From this, the increasing wear of the slide 7 can be logged. A predictive wear detection is thus made possible.

[0120] FIG. 12 shows a diagram in this respect corresponding to the diagram in FIG. 9. In this embodiment, the continuously determined value W.sub.ACTUAL preferably increases steadily, if necessary linearly, and reaches the set value W.sub.SET at time t′. Such a detection can also be used for early warning, so that a pre-signal can be generated, for example, at time t″, thus before the wear limit of slide 7 is reached.

[0121] The illustrations in FIGS. 13 to 15 show the arrangement of a sensor S in the slide 7 in the form of a transponder, further in particular in the form of an RFID tag 24. The RFID tag 24 is provided in a conventional manner with an antenna 25 to enable data in the RFID tag 24 to be read out via a reading unit 26. This reading unit 26 also has an antenna 27.

[0122] According to the schematic illustration in FIG. 13, the reading unit 26 can be arranged in the housing 3 of the rotary slide device 2, further, in particular close to the rotary slide chamber wall 9. Accordingly, the RFID tag 24 can be read or the shortest distance to the RFID tag 24 can be determined each time the slide 7 passes the reading unit 26.

[0123] The RFID tag can be a passive RFID tag 24, as shown by way of example in FIG. 15, or an active RFID tag 24 (compare FIGS. 13 and 14).

[0124] An inductive power supply can be provided to supply power to an active RFID tag 24. For example, a coil 28 can further be provided in the slide 7, which coil interacts with magnets 29 fixed relative to the slide 7 to generate an inductive voltage. These magnets 29 can further be provided, for example, in the slide receiving area 6, wherein further the coil 28 is preferably positioned in the region of the slide's 7 end at the receiving area. Due to the oscillating linear movement of the slide 7 relative to the slide receiving area 6 during operation of the rotary slide assembly 1, a voltage can be induced by the coil/magnet arrangement to supply the RFID tag 24 at the slide.

[0125] Accordingly, the RFID tag 24 according to this embodiment is supplied with power only during operation of the rotary slide device 2. In order to provide a readout of the RFID tag 24 even when the device is not in operation, an energy storage device 30 can be provided in the slide 7.

[0126] In particular in the case of an active RFID tag 24, the reading unit 26 can also be designed as a device separate from the rotary slide assembly 1, which can be brought close to the rotary slide assembly 1 for the purpose of requesting the sensor data. Due to the relatively high range of active RFID tags 24, remote monitoring of slide wear can thus also be achieved.

REFERENCE LIST

[0127] 1 rotary slide assembly [0128] 2 rotary slide device [0129] 3 housing [0130] 4 rotary slide chamber [0131] 5 rotary slide rotor [0132] 6 slide receiving area [0133] 7 slide [0134] 8 circumferential surface [0135] 9 rotary slide chamber wall [0136] 10 chamber [0137] 11 rotary slide side cover [0138] 12 inlet side [0139] 13 outlet side [0140] 14 slide end [0141] 15 proximity sensor [0142] 16 slide end [0143] 17 voltage source [0144] 18 conductor [0145] 19 line [0146] 20 line [0147] 21 light [0148] 22 coil [0149] 23 magnet [0150] 24 RFID tag [0151] 25 antenna [0152] 26 reading unit [0153] 27 antenna [0154] 28 coil [0155] 29 magnet [0156] 30 energy storage [0157] S sensor [0158] W value [0159] W.sub.ACTUAL determined value [0160] W.sub.SET set value [0161] a length [0162] b distance [0163] c distance dimension [0164] r direction of displacement [0165] t time [0166] t′ time [0167] t″ time [0168] x rotor axis