Not Applicable
Not Applicable
The present invention relates to a folded-seam connection and to a method of producing it, as well as to a device for performing the method.
Folded-seam connections are well known in ventilation and air-conditioning technology. These connections have the inherent drawback that they are not tight, since after it has been produced any folded-seam connection will tend to spring back, i.e. to open. The resulting leakage losses of connections of this type, however, are frequently unacceptable on the grounds of hygiene, health and/or energy, so additional action is necessary for sealing, for example for inserting a strip of rubber and/or for securing the folded-seam connection by adhesion; cf. inter alia WO 00/27557,
This leads to further drawbacks: As well as the resulting high outlay in materials and time for introducing additional sealing material into the folded-seam connection its effectiveness is substantially dependent upon the carefulness of the user (worker). In addition, even synthetic sealing materials tend to become brittle and withstand only slight differences in pressure, in particular if relatively large gaps and/or shearing forces are involved.
The object of the present invention is to provide a metallic sealing folded-seam connection which can adequately meet the high sealing demands in practice today. In particular, the folded-seam connection should also be suitable for ventilation units of Sealing Class C, without additional sealing means and/or subsequent processing being required. This Class C, applied to folded-seam connections of high sealing tightness, has been defined by the Committee of Producers of “Ventilation and Drying Plants (EUROVENT)” and corresponds to a maximum leakage of for example 0,01 m3 of air per s, with a test area of 200 m2 under a test pressure of 1000 Pa.
A method should likewise be disclosed which will allow folded-seam connections of this type to be produced economically. In addition, a suitable device should be provided which will ensure the quality of the folded-seam connection in an economic manner and which can be applied as universally as possible, i.e. is suitable for pipes, pipe segments and pipe bends.
It should be possible to produce with conventional technology the folded-seam connection to be provided, which should not require any special training on the part of the processing personnel and which should at least correspond in its appearance and stability to the customary one.
The folded-seam connection produces in the interior of the fold a form fitting seal, in particular on the external diameter of the flange-like double fold as a result of the relatively large bending radius of the surrounding second outer double fold. As a result, the springing back of the connection is minimized; the metallic seal is durable and susceptible to vibration to only a negligible degree. The radius of embracing in the region of the greatest external diameter on the external double fold is greater than an enclosed flange turned over in a single manner (also called a single edge). This prevents over-extension of the bending point, which is impermissible in terms of materials, and thus massive material displacement, hairline cracks and subsequent corrosion on the fold, as frequently observed on existing ventilation units.
The term “all around continuous” accordingly means that a form fitting sealing face is provided which rests against the matching member and which extends in a linear and coaxial manner and without interruptions over the entire periphery of the folds.
If a folded-seam connection according to the invention is cut open, in contrast to a connection with a flange turned over in a single manner it displays an almost ideal metallic sealing contact face which embraces the entire inner double flange in a precise manner with respect to its shape.
What is crucial for the proper sealing behavior of the connection is the above-mentioned all around continuous design of the sealing faces, since, in addition to the actual closure, these form one or more high-quality labyrinth seals with minimal leakage losses.
In contrast, it has been found to be advantageous if the flange-like double fold has an air gap situated on the inside, so that there is a deliberate springing action of the inner fold against the interior of the second double fold. This ensures a durable metallic seal even when operating with varying pressure ratios.
In particular, in the case of non-plated pipes an insulating layer of a polymer applied in the liquid state may be advantageous, since no contact corrosion occurs at the connection point in the fold; the thin layer remaining after hardening will then additionally take on a compensating and sealing function. Functionally an insulating layer does not alter the basic principle of positive locking effective during the closing procedure and produced by external forces, even if the metallic contact faces are supplemented by thin intermediate layers or if a metallic plating of the metal sheet is replaced and/or supplemented by an insulating layer.
An air gap subjected to a powerful external clamping action between the flange parts, which results in the strong springing action thereof, is particularly advantageous. This improves the sealing as a result of the high pressing between the contact faces on the one hand and can compensate thermal expansion and vibration, without increased leakage, on the other hand.
The sealing behavior can be additionally improved by the inclusion of an additional insulating layer between the outer and the inner fold.
The folded-seam connection can be produced on a bordering and folding/closing machine of the type G
This takes place in that in a first method step a flange-like double fold is produced at a first pipe end, in a second method step a folding tab with an internal diameter larger than the flange-like double fold is formed on the other pipe end to be joined, in a third method step the folding tab is pushed over the double fold and after that the projecting part of the folding tab is pressed and clamped against the flange-like double fold in an abutting manner, so that the latter is surrounded in a sealed manner.
In a device according to the invention which is preferably used, the production of the flange-like double fold at the first pipe end takes place in that in a first method step the first pipe end is put onto a rotating first shaping roller fixed in the axial position on the machine bench, with peripheral contact on the inside of the pipe and said roller, in a second step a second shaping roller likewise rotating is pushed in the tangential plane thereof until it touches the pipe end on the outside so that the latter jointly rotates in synchronism, in a third step the second shaping roller is pushed stepwise in the tangential plane by the width of the double fold against the first shaping roller so that a continuous folding tab is impressed at the pipe end, in a fourth step a lower delivery roller is pushed further in the direction towards the shaping roller in a second plane situated at a lower level than the tangential plane by at least twice the thickness of the pipe material, wherein a lower roller is drawn back under the second shaping roller in synchronism in the opposite direction, so that the folding tab is closed and a flange-like double fold is formed.
A device which is particularly suitable for producing a flange-like double fold is characterized in that a displaceable lower roller is constructed in the form of a hollow shaft, a drive shaft carrying a shaping roller fixed in the axial position thereof is provided in the interior of the hollow shaft, the delivery roller is constructed in the form of a hollow shaft, a drive shaft carrying an upper displaceable shaping roller is provided in the interior of this hollow shaft, the delivery roller and the shaping roller are arranged in slides so as to be displaceable in synchronism, and in addition the two rollers are arranged in a slide likewise displaceable against the axially fixed shaping roller and the displaceable shaping roller. This allows a particularly economic mode of operation.
The shaping roller arranged displaceably and the lower delivery roller situated thereunder are guided in a particularly precise and stable manner if they are mounted in a slide provided with linear ball bearings.
A very simple possibility of displacement for the further slides, which carry the lower delivery roller likewise displaceable in turn and a lower shaping roller, is achieved by lateral guide plates.
The desired linear displacements of the slides are performed by hydraulic cylinders, which makes a highly compact and advantageous design of the device.
A further advantage consists in the embodiment of a desired synchronous running of the slide, which is made possible by hydraulic components which are likewise available commercially.
The drive shafts of the driven rollers are driven in a highly space-saving manner by way of universal-joint shafts and hydraulic motors and are supplied by a central hydraulic unit and are set and regulated by components known per se to a peripheral synchronism, i.e. to the same peripheral speed of the rollers.
Embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to drawings, in which
The folded-seam connection A is shown in an enlarged sectional illustration in
The surrounding double fold 2 adjoins the outer region of the flange parts 1a and 1b and the bend 1c on the outside with positive locking. Even if the metal sheet of the double folds displays irregularities, the springing connection illustrated results in contact points which extend more or less concentrically over parts 1a to 1c and at least act as a labyrinth seal.
The connection of the inner flange, i.e. the double fold 1, to the surrounding double fold 2 is made in a manner known per se on a folding/closing machine, for example of the type G
In accordance with the method, as shown in
It is clear from
As a result of a stepwise further movement of the rotating shaping roller 11 as far as the end of the path a1, a folding tab 4, which extends over the entire periphery of the underside of the molded part 6, is formed on the molded part 6. See
Whilst the molded part 6 continues to rotate, as shown in
The molded part 6 with the flange-like double fold at the end thereof can be removed and further processed by returning the rollers to the starting position as shown in
The assembly of the flange connection may be seen in
The method for producing an internal double fold 1, as described with reference to
As shown in
The opposite pair of rollers, namely the shaping roller 20 and the lower roller 21 adjacent over the clearance L, are designed in a similar manner. In contrast to the previous one, however, a shaping-roller block 44 is provided which is fixed to the machine, i.e. immovable. The roller 21 is fixed on a drive shaft 13 by an axial fastening 23 designed as a screw connection with a wedge. The drive shaft 13 likewise has a wedge 15 underneath which is coupled to an hydraulic motor 27 by way of a universal joint shaft 25. The shaft 13 is fitted in the block 44 so as to be rotatably mounted by roller bearings 17a and 17b. An hydraulic cylinder 32 is situated thereon, fastened by bolts 36, and engages with its piston rods 32′ on a pin 34 which is inserted in a displaceable slide 45. Roller bearings 19a and 19b, which are arranged concentrically to the shaft 13 and which are mounted with their inner rings on the displaceable roller 21 designed on the underside as a hollow shaft, are arranged in the slide 45. The housing of the roller bearings 19a, 19b is designated 19′, 19″; the cylindrical air space present is designated 40. The molded part 6 to be processed rests on a support and sliding face on the machine bench 29.
The hydraulic components are fed through a central hydraulic unit 50 which is housed in the machine stand and from which hydraulic lines 49 extend to the control and driving members.
The illustration of the section A—A through the shaft 12 in
Threaded bores 28, which are used for fastening lateral plates and guides 38′ of the slide 38 screwed thereabove and likewise displaceable, are provided in the displaceable slide 37. The displaceable part 18″ is at the same time the housing of the roller bearings 18a, 18b. The slide 45 shown in
The individual parts may be seen once again in the plan view according to
The mode of operation of the device for the economic production of high-quality and reproducible flange-like double folds is easy to reconstruct with the aid of
Adaptation of the distances between the rollers 10, 11 and 20, 21 takes place in the simplest manner by intermediate rings (not shown) and affects the clearance L accordingly. In this way, the ductility and the springing behavior of the flange-like double fold can be affected and optimized in a simple manner, which also jointly determines the service life of the rollers and the wear on the molded part 6.
In a practical test on folded-seam connections according to the invention, leakage losses have been measured which were at least 20% better than the provisions according to EUROVENT, Class C. The double folds produced and tested had typical fold widths of from 4,0 to 12,0 mm, measured on the internal double fold.
A pre-condition for this, however, is a trouble-free production of the folds, which is possible in a reproducible manner by the device according to the subject of the invention.
These high-quality folded-seam connections are particularly important in processing and clean-room technology etc., in which non-defined leakages can lead to hazards of all types. In this case too, the subject of the invention allows the use of inexpensive pipe segments in connection with well known coiled pipes (spiral pipes) instead of, as generally used, expensive welded pipes with corresponding connections and/or connections sealed off by resilient inlays. In addition, the maintenance required for units of this type is reduced, since metal seals are not subject to wear as a rule.
With respect to further development the device can be automated, in that for example folded-seam connections produced are stored in all their machine settings and control parameters and are then utilized for mass production. For this purpose, “teaching programs” which are already known in principle can be used in conjunction with measurement pick-ups (sensors etc.).
It will further be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that modifications to and variations of the above-described folded-seam connection, method of producing it, and device may be made without departing from the inventive concepts disclosed herein. Accordingly, the invention should not be viewed as limited except as by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind | 371c Date |
---|---|---|---|---|
PCT/IB00/01876 | 12/15/2000 | WO | 00 | 2/5/2004 |
Publishing Document | Publishing Date | Country | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
WO02/47838 | 6/20/2002 | WO | A |
Number | Name | Date | Kind |
---|---|---|---|
2150361 | Chobert | Mar 1939 | A |
3490137 | Buck et al. | Jan 1970 | A |
3724255 | Molino | Apr 1973 | A |
3815394 | Walker | Jun 1974 | A |
3848308 | Kaval | Nov 1974 | A |
4505084 | Knudson | Mar 1985 | A |
4538334 | Binggeli | Sep 1985 | A |
4579375 | Fischer et al. | Apr 1986 | A |
5875670 | Stojkovski et al. | Mar 1999 | A |
6311379 | Torre et al. | Nov 2001 | B1 |
6598285 | Binggeli et al. | Jul 2003 | B1 |
Number | Date | Country |
---|---|---|
25 44 875 | Apr 1977 | DE |
34 04 057 | Aug 1985 | DE |
87 08 142 | Jul 1987 | DE |
WO 0027557 | May 2000 | WO |
Number | Date | Country | |
---|---|---|---|
20040111863 A1 | Jun 2004 | US |