The object of the invention is a device for changing a flowpath as defined in the preamble of claim 1.
The invention also relates to a system as defined in the preamble of claim 20.
The invention relates generally to material-conveying pipes, most preferably to the conveying pipings of pneumatic material-conveying systems, such as of pneumatic waste-material-conveying systems.
In pneumatic material-conveying systems, such as in connection with waste-material-conveying systems, a solution for changing a flowpath is used, in which solution the inlet pipe is rotated in such a way that that it can be connected to two or more outlet pipes. In this case the flowpath can be changed generally at one time from one inlet pipe to one of the outlet pipes or in the opposite direction from some inlet pipe into one outlet pipe. One such solution is presented in publication CN201458197U. The publication presents a device comprising a rigid pipe part, which is rotated with a drive device. Solutions known in the art typically take up a lot of space, particularly when used in connection with pipe sizes of large diameter. In addition, in prior-art solutions, in which a pipe part is rotated, the other pipelines, to which the end of the pipe party being rotated is connected, must be arranged on the rotary rim of the end of the first pipeline.
The aim of this invention is to achieve a new type of device for changing a flowpath in material-conveying piping, by the aid of which device the drawbacks of prior art are avoided. Another aim of the invention is to achieve a device for use in connection with material-conveying systems, according to which the pipelines intended to be coupled together can be arranged more flexibly than before in relation to each other. Yet another aim is to achieve an apparatus for use in the collection and conveying of wastes or material for recycling.
The device according to the invention is characterized by what is stated in the characterization part of claim 1.
The device according to the invention is also characterized by what is stated in claims 2-19.
The system according to the invention is characterized by what is stated in the characterization part of claim 20.
The solution according to the invention has numerous important advantages. By arranging the first pipeline to be flexible, an effective and operationally reliable bending motion of the free end is achieved. By arranging the free end of the first pipeline to be moveable and arranging moving means for moving the free end, an effective and operationally reliable solution for changing a flowpath is achieved. The arrangement is multipurpose and permits different layouts of the pipelines to be used in flowpaths. With the device according to the invention a number of other pipelines can be e.g. disposed side-by-side in such a way that the longitudinal axis of them intersects the same transverse straight line. By arranging moving devices, which can move the free end of the first pipeline in a number of directions, a flexible layout solution of other pipelines is enabled. By arranging a number of moving devices, the movement distance can be divided between the drive devices, in which case fast and precise movements of the drive devices and of the free end of the first pipeline are achieved, if necessary. By arranging a device according to the invention at the junction point of the pipes, the passage and flow of material at the junction point can be efficiently controlled. By arranging a sleeve means as the coupling device, an operationally reliable connection between the first pipeline and any one of the other pipelines can be achieved. Correspondingly, an operationally reliable disconnection is achieved between the aforementioned pipelines. By using a cylinder-piston combination as the moving device of the coupling means, an efficient movement of the coupling means is achieved. By the aid of the solution the occurrence of blockages at the junction point can be effectively avoided. In principle the solution also enables the changing of more flowpaths than presented. The device according to the invention is very well suited for use in connection with material collection and conveying systems, such as in connection with pneumatic or other material-conveying systems. Owing to its easy and fast controllability and operation, the device according to the invention is suited for use, inter alia, in connection with material-conveying systems, in which material is conveyed in a sorted manner from one conveying pipe to a number of other conveying pipes or containers.
In the following, the invention will be described in more detail by the aid of an embodiment with reference to the attached drawings, wherein
a,
10
b and 10c present a device according to the second embodiment of the invention, in different operating modes in the projection according to
In the embodiment of the figure the moving means of the free end of the first pipeline 2 comprise at least one support means 11, 11A, 11B, which is arranged to be moved by at least one drive means 8, 10. The free end of the first pipe means 2 is arranged in the figure between the support surfaces of at least one support means 11, in which case the support means 11 supports the wall of the free end of the pipeline 2 from at least two directions.
At least one support means 11, 11A, 11B is arranged in the actuator body 7, 9, which is moved with at least one drive means 8, 10. In the embodiment of the figures the actuator body 7 is arranged on the support frame 6 to be moveable in relation to support frame. The actuator body 7 is arranged in the support frame 6 to be moved with a first drive means 10. The actuator body 7 is moved with the drive means 10, which is e.g. a cylinder-piston unit or a lead-screw unit. The drive means 8, 10 can be e.g. pressure-medium operated or electrically-operated.
In the embodiment of the figure is also a second actuator body 9 arranged to be moveable in the first actuator body 7 with a second drive means 8.
The free end of the first pipeline 2 is arranged to be moveable between at least one second pipeline 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D and the proximity of the access opening of at least one other pipeline.
The coupling means 13, 14 comprise a sleeve part, which is arranged to be moveable between a first position and a second position, and the moving means 14 of the sleeve part. The sleeve part is arranged around the free end of the second of the pipelines 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D to be coupled with and moveably in the longitudinal direction. When the free end of the first pipeline 2 is brought to the point of the free end of one of the other pipelines 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, the sleeve part of the coupling means 13, 14 is moved with the moving means 14 of the sleeve part around also the free end of the first pipeline 2, in which case the ends of both the pipelines 2; 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D to be coupled together are inside the sleeve in such a way that a joint forms. Alternatively, it can be conceived that the coupling means are in connection with the first pipeline 2.
According to an embodiment of the invention the free end of the first pipeline 2 is therefore arranged to be moveable in at least one transverse direction with respect to the first pipeline 2.
The first pipeline 2 is arranged to be bendable or turnable at least at the point of its free end formed to be moveable. In this case the pipe part can be moved and turned/bent from the area that extends from the sleeve 3 to the free end of the first pipeline. According to one embodiment the first pipeline 2 is of plastic material or of a material that is bendable or flexible. According to one embodiment the material of the pipeline is polyethylene or some other suitable material. The structure can be of also another suitable material. A bending point or bending points can be formed in the pipeline, at which point(s) the free end of the pipeline 2 bends when it is moved with the moving means.
In the embodiments of
With the solution of the embodiment of
The free end of the first pipeline 2 is arranged to be moveable in relation to the support means 11, 11A, 11B. According to one embodiment the support means 11, 11A, 11B is a roller means, in which case the movement between the pipeline 2 and the support means 11 is low-friction and the support means does not forcefully wear the wall of the first pipe part 2. In the embodiments of
At least two other pipelines 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D are arranged consecutively and/or side-by-side in the transverse direction at a right angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the pipelines.
According to one embodiment the first pipeline 2 being a conveying pipe of a pneumatic pipe conveying system for material or a pipeline connecting to the conveying pipe 100 is arranged to be bendable at least at the point of its free end formed to be moveable and at least one other pipeline 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D is a conveying pipe leading to a container 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D of the pneumatic pipe conveying system for material. Such an apparatus is presented in
According to a second embodiment the device according to the invention is used in connection with a waste chute or other inlet pipe to conduct material selectively into a container or into a pipeline. Such solutions are presented in
According to one embodiment material is configured to be conveyed from a first pipeline 2 into at least one other pipeline 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D by means of gravity.
In this case the first pipeline 2 is a pipeline connecting to the inlet pipe or inlet chute 110 of a pipe conveying system for material, and one second pipeline 20A, 20B is configured to conduct the material into a container 50A, 50B. There can be a number of containers, in which case the device according to the invention for changing the pathway of a medium has a number of other pipelines 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, to which the first pipeline 2 can be selectively connected. Correspondingly, the moving devices 10 of the free end of the first pipeline 2 are configured according to the application site.
The invention thus relates to a device for changing a flowpath, to which device are connected one first pipeline 2, at least two other pipelines 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, such as a second pipeline 20A and a third pipeline 20B, and also means for changing the medium pathway between the one first pipeline and any of at least two other pipelines 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D. The first pipeline 2 is arranged to be bendable at least at the point of its free end formed to be moveable, or in the proximity of said point, that the means for changing the pathway of the medium comprise means 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 for moving the free end of the first pipeline 2, and coupling means 13, 14 for coupling and uncoupling the free end of the first pipeline 2 with at least one other pipeline 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D.
According to one embodiment the moving means 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 of the free end of the first pipeline 2 comprise at least one support means 11, 11A, 11B, which is arranged to be moved by at least one drive means 8, 10.
According to one embodiment at least one support means 11, 11A, 11B is arranged in the actuator body 7, 9, which is moved with at least one drive means 8, 10.
According to one embodiment the device comprises a first actuator body 7, which is moved with a first drive means 10, and a second actuator body 9, which is moved with a second drive means 8.
According to one embodiment that the free end of the first pipeline 2 is arranged to be moveable between at least one second pipeline and the proximity of the access opening of at least one other pipeline.
According to one embodiment the coupling means 13, 14 comprise a sleeve part 13, which is arranged to be moveable between a first position and a second position, and the moving means 14 of the sleeve part 13.
According to one embodiment the sleeve part 13 is, in the second position, i.e. in the coupling position, around the free end of the first pipeline 2 and the end of at least one other pipeline 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, in which case a joint of the first pipeline 2 with at least one other pipeline 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D is formed.
According to one embodiment the free end of the first pipeline 2 is arranged to be moveable in at least one transverse direction with respect to the first pipeline.
According to one embodiment the free end of the first pipeline 2 is arranged to be moveable in at least one second transverse direction with respect to the first direction of movement.
According to one embodiment the free end of the first pipeline 2 is arranged to be moveable in relation to the support means 11, 11A, 11B.
According to one embodiment the support means 11, 11A, 11B is a roller means.
According to one embodiment the first pipeline 2 comprises flexible material, e.g. plastic material, at least in the section of it that is arranged to be moveable.
According to one embodiment the device comprises a support frame 6, in relation to which the first actuator body 7 and/or the second actuator body 9 is arranged to move.
According to one embodiment that the free end of the first pipeline 2 and the end of at least one other pipeline 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D are arranged face-to-face at least when forming a joint.
According to one embodiment at least two other pipelines 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D are arranged consecutively and/or side-by-side in the transverse direction at a right angle with respect to the longitudinal direction of the pipelines.
According to one embodiment the first pipeline 2 is a conveying pipe of a pneumatic pipe conveying system for material or a pipeline connecting to the conveying pipe 100 and at least one other pipeline 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D is a conveying pipe leading to a container 50A, 50B, 50C, 50D of the pneumatic pipe conveying system for material.
According to one embodiment the first pipeline 2 is a pipeline connecting to the inlet pipe or inlet chute of a pipe conveying system for material, and one other pipeline 20A, 20B is configured to conduct the material into a container 50A, 50B.
According to one embodiment material is configured to be conveyed from a first pipeline 2 into at least one other pipeline 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D by means of gravity.
According to one embodiment material is configured to be conveyed from a first pipeline 2 into at least one other pipeline 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D by means of suction/a pressure difference.
The invention also relates to a material collection and conveying system, in which material is infed in an inlet point and is conveyed along pipelines, such as conveying pipes or inlet chutes, under gravity and/or with a partial vacuum/pressure difference into one or more containers or to further processing.
In the system material is configured to be conveyed from one first pipeline 2 selectively with a device 1 for changing the pathway of a medium between the one first pipeline 2 and any of at least two other pipelines 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D, that the first pipeline 2 is arranged to be bendable at least at the point of its free end formed to be moveable, or in the proximity of said point, and that in the device 1 the means for changing the pathway of the medium comprise means 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 for moving the free end of the first pipeline 2, and coupling means 13, 14 for coupling and uncoupling the free end of the first pipeline 2 with at least one other pipeline 20A, 20B, 20C, 20D.
According to one embodiment the system is a collection and conveying system for waste material or material for recycling. The waste material is e.g. household waste, such as mixed waste, paper, cardboard or biowaste packed into bags.
It is obvious to the person skilled in the art that the invention is not limited to the embodiments presented above, but that it can be varied within the scope of the claims presented below. The characteristic features possibly presented in the description in conjunction with other characteristic features can if necessary be used separately to each other.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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20125998 | Sep 2012 | FI | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/FI2013/050849 | 9/4/2013 | WO | 00 |