DE102008021326A1 - Flexible tube coupling has tubular element made of flexible material and rigid tubular flange element, which has connecting surface, and flexible tubular element and flange element are arranged together - Google Patents

Abstract

The flexible tube coupling has a tubular element (1) made of a flexible material and a rigid tubular flange element (3), which has a connecting surface (3a). The flexible tubular element and the flange element are arranged together. The connecting surface of the flange element has a recess (3a-1) or a bulge that is designed such that it stays in contact with material of an area (1d) of the tubular element, if the connecting surface and an opposite connecting surface are compressed with the tube line at both sides of the material area during the manufacturing a connection of the tube coupling.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION AND PRIOR ART

The The invention relates to a flexible pipe coupling in the preamble of claim 1 type.

The Development of turbocharged internal combustion engines has led to that charge air with ever higher pressures the combustion chambers the internal combustion engines is supplied. additionally an increase in pressure also results in heating the charge air in relation to the degree of compression of the air. The condensed Air is usually from a turbocharger compressor passed through a pipeline via a pipe coupling is connected to a subsequent pipeline, which the air continues u. a. leads to a charge air cooler. A such pipe coupling may comprise a V-clamp, the two against each other directed flanges of the subsequent piping together. The material in the subsequent piping points a thermal expansion in relation to the pressure and the Temperature of the charge air is. In the future, always higher Press and temperature differences at the charge air provides such a conventional, substantially rigid pipe coupling no completely reliable connection sure because the thermal expansion of the materials of the subsequent Pipelines cause high thermal stresses in the pipe coupling can.

EP 0 936 392 shows a flexible pipe coupling, which is designed for installation between two adjoining pipes. The pipe coupling has a tubular element in the form of a metal bellows and two annular flange elements arranged on the end regions of the metal bellows. The end portions of the metal bellows are shaped to extend over the connecting surfaces of the flange members. When a bonding surface of a flange member is pressed against the joint surface of a subsequent pipe during a joining operation of the pipe, the end portion of the metal bellows is clamped between the compressing bonding surfaces. The end portion of the metal bellows thus receives in a connected state a solid anchorage. A flexible pipe coupling enables mutual movements between two adjacent pipes. This can prevent the occurrence of thermal stresses in a pipe coupling between adjacent pipes. However, it is questionable whether this known flexible pipe coupling would withstand the high thermal and mechanical stresses which will expose the future high charge air pressures to the components associated with the pipe coupling.

Another flexible pipe coupling is from the document US 3,692,337 known.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The The object of the invention is a flexible pipe coupling to provide with a construction which the thermal and withstand mechanical stresses to which a medium with a very high pressure and high temperature which is too flexible Pipe coupling belonging to components.

These The object is achieved by an arrangement of those mentioned in the introduction Type with the features mentioned in the characterizing part of claim 1 solved. If a medium, such as. B. charge air, with high Pressure and high temperature passed through a flexible pipe coupling is having a flexible, tubular member, become the walls of the flexible, tubular element subjected to a radial pressure. This high pressure creates u. a. Tensile forces in the flexible, tubular element, the act on its fortifications. To prevent such tensile forces the flexible, tubular element from its attachment draw, this is provided in a first step with an area, the for a clamping between two fasteners is executed in a built-in state. This results for the flexible, tubular element a relatively secure attachment against the aforementioned tensile forces. That the connecting surface of the flange member also has at least one indentation or a bulge leads with that that range of flexible, tubular Elements on the connecting surface increased holding power having. The danger that the said area of the flexible, tubular Elements from its mounting position between the connecting surfaces is pulled, is thereby significantly reduced. The flange element may be metallic or otherwise appropriate and be made substantially rigid material.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the connecting surface of the flange member has at least one continuous recess or a continuous recess extending around the connecting surface of the annular flange member. Thus, an all-round, contiguous portion of the flexible tubular member can provide a very good grip around the entire connection surface. The risk of leakage of pressurized medium between said portion of the flexible tubular member and the connecting surface of the flanges Essentially, lements is therefore completely eliminated. The flange member advantageously has a sloped surface on a mating surface opposite side so that it becomes possible to press the mating surface by means of a V-clamp against an opposing mating surface of a pipeline. This allows a quick and reliable installation of the pipe coupling on a pipe. Preferably, the pipe coupling has two annular fastening elements which are arranged on opposite ends of the pipe coupling. Thereby, the pipe coupling can be connected at its two ends in the same way to the subsequent pipes. The two flange elements advantageously have the same dimensions, so that the pipe coupling can be designed symmetrically. This simplifies the manufacturing process of the pipe coupling. Also, the assembly is simplified if both ends of the pipe coupling can be connected to the subsequent pipes.

According to one another preferred embodiment of the present invention The pipe coupling has a substantially rigid, annular Guide element on the inside of the tubular, flexible element is arranged in such a position that at least one radial plane through a region of the tubular, flexible member by both the flange member and the Guide element runs. This will be a positioning the tubular, flexible element between the flange element and the guide element, resulting in an additional Reinforced attachment of the tubular, flexible Elements leads. The guide element advantageously has a guide surface of such design, that during the manufacture of a compound a radial Positioning of the pipe coupling in relation to a Area is made possible. Guide element Set flange element and the tubular, flexible element thus with good accuracy a desired positioning ready relative to the end of the subsequent pipeline. The guide surface of the guide element can be a substantially outer perimeter area represent, for interaction with an inner Perimeter area of the subsequent pipeline executed is. This results in a very stable positioning one end of the pipe coupling relative to the end of subsequent pipeline. The guide element Can be made of a metallic or other functional and be made substantially rigid material.

According to one another preferred embodiment of the present invention the tubular element has areas on different Radial distances from one through the flexible, tubular Element extending longitudinal axis are arranged. Such flexible, tubular element has the ability to absorb relatively large mutual movements. The flexible, tubular member may be formed as a bellows. The flexible tubular element advantageously has at least one area at an axial distance is located by said flange element, said area with an all-around reinforcing element in shape a substantially rigid material is provided. Such Reinforcement element prevents the said area is pressed radially outward. This will be reduces the tensile forces in flexible, tubular Element occur and tend to the clamped area of the to pull loose flexible tubular element.

According to one Another preferred embodiment of the present invention is the flexible, tubular element made of a reinforced Rubber material made. Rubber material has very good flexible Properties. Likewise, rubber material can easily swell and a Fill in indentation or according to a preceding Form part in the connecting surface of a flange element. a Reinforced rubber material can also have very good strength properties be lent, making it high pressures and high temperatures can resist.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The Invention will be described below with reference to preferred embodiments described with reference to the accompanying drawings; in these show:

1 a pipe coupling according to a first embodiment of the invention;

2 the pipe coupling according to 1 in a built-in state; and

3 a pipe coupling according to a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In 1 a flexible pipe coupling is shown, which is designed to form a connection between two subsequent pipes. The flexible pipe coupling is particularly suitable for establishing a connection between a pipeline, which discharges charge air from a compressor of a turbocharger, and a pipeline, which conducts the charge air, inter alia, to a charge air cooler.

The pipe coupling has a tubular element 1 on, which is made of a flexible material. The flexible, tubular element 1 is advantageously made of a reinforced rubber material. However, it is possible the flexible tubular element 1 from other material types with suitable properties. The tubular element 1 has regions that are shaped to be in an unloaded state at different radial distances from one centered through the tubular element 1 extending centerline 2 are located. The flexible, tubular element 1 , this in 1 is shown, has a central area 1a at a maximum distance from the longitudinal axis 2 located. The central area 1a goes on both sides in inwardly inclined areas 1b above. The radially inwardly inclined areas 1b turn into outer areas 1c over, which is at a substantially minimum distance from the longitudinal axis 2 are located. The inner areas 1c go in radially outward areas 1d over, with end areas 1e be completed, which is at substantially the same radial distance from the longitudinal axis 2 are like the central area 1a , The flexible, tubular element 1 thus has areas at different radial distances from a longitudinal axis 2 lie. With such a shape, the tubular element 1 take up relatively large mutual movements between its ends. The flexible, tubular element 1 can be referred to as a bellows element.

The pipe coupling has two annular flange elements 3 on, which are arranged after the ends of the pipe coupling. The flange elements 3 have an inner radial surface which is dimensioned such that the flange elements 3 radially outside on the inner areas 1c the flexible tubular element can be mounted. The two flange elements 3 have a corresponding shape and have a connection surface 3a on, which with two annular indentations 3a ₁ is provided, extending around the entire interface 3a extend. The flange elements 3 include an inclined surface 3b on one of the interface 3a opposite side.

If the flange elements 3 outside on the inner areas 1c of the flexible, tubular element 1 are mounted, the radial portions extend 1d of the flexible tubular member via the connecting surfaces 3a the flange elements. The pipe coupling also has two substantially rigid, annular guide elements 4 on that on the inside of the flexible, tubular element 1 be arranged after the ends of the pipe coupling. The guide elements 4 are arranged in such an axial position that at least one radial plane 5 through the inner area 1c of the flexible, tubular element 1 and by the flange member 3 as well as the guide element 4 runs. The guide element 4 has an outer radial surface sized to provide radial mounting within the inner region 1c of the flexible, tubular element 1 allowed. The guide element 4 has a guide surface 4a adapted to permit radial positioning of the pipe coupling relative to a surface of a subsequent pipe during a bonding operation. The guide surface 4a of the guide member consists of a substantially outer peripheral surface which is designed to cooperate with an inner circumferential surface of the subsequent pipeline. The pipe coupling has at both ends flange elements 3 and guide elements 4 with the same dimensions. As a result, the pipe coupling is symmetrical. The flange elements 3 and guide elements 4 can z. B. by an adhesive with the flexible, tubular area 1 be connected. In this way, the pipe coupling can represent a coherently mountable unit.

In 2 the pipe coupling is shown in an assembled state. The pipe coupling is at a first end to a first pipe 6 and at a second end to a second conduit 7 connected. The first pipeline 6 is advantageously designed for a discharge of compressed air from a compressor of a turbocharger. The second pipeline 7 is advantageously designed for the forwarding of the compressed air, inter alia, to a charge air cooler, not shown. The two pipes 6 . 7 have flanges 6a . 7a on that with connecting surfaces 6a ₁ . 7a ₁ are provided. The flanges 6a . 7a have inclined surfaces 6a ₂ . 7a ₂ on the opposite side of the connecting surfaces 6a ₁ . 7a ₁ on. If the pipe coupling at one end at z. B. the first pipeline 6 is to be grown, the pipe coupling is in a room of the pipeline 6 introduced by a radial inner surface 6a ₃ of the flange 6a the pipeline is defined. As the guide element 4 the pipe coupling an outer guide surface 4a of substantially the same dimension as the inner surface 6a ₃ the pipe has a stable and accurate positioning of the pipe coupling in a radial direction relative to the pipe 6 receive.

A V-clamp 7 is around the flange 6a the pipeline and the flange element 3 appropriate. The V-clamp 7 has inclined surfaces with adapted design for interaction with the inclined surface 6a ₂ of the flange 6a and the inclined surface 3b the flange element 3 , The V-clamp 7 is using a screw 7a o. The like. In a radial direction about said surfaces contracted around. When contracting the V-clamp 7 becomes the interface 3 the flange element 3 against the interface 6a ₁ of the flange 6a pressed. This movement occurs in an axial direction using the guide surface 4a of the guide element. The radial area 1d is characterized by opposing directions from the connecting surfaces 3a . 6a ₁ the flanges compressed. Material from the radial area 1d is doing in the annular indentations 3a ₁ in the interface 3a pressed the flange. Thereafter, the other end of the pipe coupling in a similar manner to the second pipe 7 connected. The assembly of the pipe coupling can thus be carried out very easily.

During operation of a turbocharged internal combustion engine, compressed air from the first pipeline becomes 6 to the second pipeline 7 directed. The compressed air can have a very high pressure and a very high temperature. Since the pipe coupling is flexible, allow relative movement between the ends 6 . 7 occur in the pipelines without causing stress in the pipe coupling. In such relative movements, the ends of the pipes need not be arranged in exact positions to each other when the pipe coupling is to be mounted. Mechanical vibrations are essentially not from the first pipeline 6 , which is connected to the turbocharger, on the second pipeline 7 transfer. In addition, the material in the piping 6 . 7 a thermal expansion of the pipes in relation to each other are allowed without thermal stresses occur in the pipe coupling.

When the flexible pipe coupling is traversed by air at a very high pressure, the air pushes the central area 1a and the inclined areas 1b of the flexible, tubular element 1 radially outward. This results in high tensile forces in the flexible, tubular element 1 who aspire to the flexible, tubular element 1 to go from his fortifications. In order to prevent such tensile forces from going off the tubular element, it thus has a radial area 1d which is designed so that it, in a built-in state, between two connecting surfaces 3a . 6a ₁ two fasteners will be clamped. This gives the flexible, tubular element 1 a relatively secure attachment against the above-mentioned tensile forces. In addition, the attachment surface points 3a the flange member annular indentations 3a ₁ on, and this also entails that material of the radial area 1d of the flexible, tubular element is pressed into said indentations. This creates a very tight fit between the radial area 1d and the interface 3a , The risk that the said region of the flexible, tubular element is pulled out of its fastening position between the connecting surfaces is thus substantially prevented. When the V-clamp is mounted, clamping forces are also provided to the inner area 1c of the flexible, tubular element 1 between the fastener 3 and the guide element 4 hold tight. At the same time, clamping forces also occur between the V-clamp 7 and an upper surface of the flange 6a , whereby the end area 1e is held in a predetermined position. Thus, according to the present invention, the inner regions are 1c , radial areas 1d and end area 1e of the flexible, tubular element 1 anchored sufficiently well. Because different areas of the flexible, tubular element 1 are clamped in different directions and with intervening curvatures, an additional security against pulling the flexible tubular member 1 provided.

In 3 a pipe coupling according to an alternative embodiment is shown. In this case, the central area 1a of the tubular element with a reinforcing element extending around the circumference 8th made of a substantially rigid material. Even if charge air is passed through the pipe coupling at a very high pressure, the air can reach the central area 1a do not press radially outward. This occurs in the flexible, tubular element 1 not so high tensile forces striving for the flexible, tubular element 1 to pull out of his fortifications. The reinforcing element 8th can be made of a suitable metal material.

The The invention is in no way related to the embodiment described above limited but may be within the scope of the claims be varied freely.

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list The documents listed by the applicant have been automated generated and is solely for better information recorded by the reader. The list is not part of the German Patent or utility model application. The DPMA takes over no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• EP 0936392 [0003]
• - US 3692337 [0004]

Claims (10)

Flexible pipe coupling comprising a tubular element ( 1 ) of a flexible material and a substantially rigid annular flange element ( 3 ), which has a connection surface ( 3a ), wherein the flexible, tubular element ( 1 ) and the flange element ( 3 ) are arranged in relation to one another such that an area ( 1d ) the flexible, tubular element ( 1 ) is adapted to extend over the interface ( 3a ) of the flange element, characterized in that the connecting surface ( 3a ) of the flange element at least one indentation ( 3a ₁ ) or a bulge designed to be in contact with material of said region ( 1d ) of the flexible tubular element ( 1 ), when the interface ( 3a ) and an opposing interface ( 6a ₁ . 7a ₁ ) of a pipeline ( 6 . 7 ) in making a connection of the pipe coupling with the pipeline ( 6 . 7 ) on both sides of said area ( 1d ) of the flexible, tubular material ( 1 ) are compressed. Flexible pipe coupling according to claim 1, characterized in that the connecting surface ( 3a ) of the flange element at least one continuous indentation ( 3a ₁ ) or bulge that extends around the bonding surface ( 3a ) of the annular member. Flexible pipe coupling according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the flange element ( 3 ) an inclined surface ( 3b ) on the opposite side of the interface ( 3a ), which makes it possible, the connection surface ( 3a ) using a V-clamp ( 7 ) against an opposing interface ( 6a ₁ . 7a ₁ ) of a pipeline ( 6 . 7 ). Flexible pipe coupling according to one of the preceding standing claims, characterized in that the pipe coupling comprises two substantially rigid annular flange elements ( 3 ), which are arranged adjacent to opposite ends of the tubular member. Flexible pipe coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pipe coupling a substantially rigid guide element ( 4 ), which on the inside of the flexible, tubular element ( 1 ) is arranged in such a position that at least one radial plane ( 5 ) through an area ( 1c ) of the flexible tubular element ( 1 ) through the flange ( 3 ) and the guide element ( 4 ). Flexible pipe coupling according to claim 4, characterized in that the guide element ( 4 ) a guide surface ( 4a ) arranged in such a way that, when establishing a connection, the pipe coupling is mounted relative to a surface ( 6a ₃ . 7a ₃ ) of a subsequent pipeline ( 6 . 7 ) is positionable. Flexible pipe coupling according to claim 5, characterized in that the guide surface ( 4a ) with a substantially outer, for interaction with an inner peripheral surface ( 6a ₃ . 7a ₃ ) of the pipeline ( 6 . 7 ) designed perimeter is executed. Flexible pipe coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular element ( 1 ) Areas ( 1a E) at different radial distances from one through the tubular element ( 1 ) extending longitudinal axis ( 2 ) are arranged. Flexible pipe coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tubular element ( 1 ) at least one, at an axial distance from said flange element ( 3 ) area ( 1a ), this area ( 1a ) with a completely extending reinforcing element ( 8th ) is provided from a substantially rigid material. Flexible pipe coupling according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the flexible, tubular element ( 1 ) is made of a reinforced rubber material.