WO2006084447A1 - Emergency separating safety coupling - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to an emergency separating safety coupling comprising two coupling parts (1, 2) embodied as valves and having couplable connection regions (3, 4) that are held together in the coupled state by correspondingly positively adapted clamping elements (5). Pivotably mounted levers (6) for fixing the clamping elements (5) are provided on one of the two coupling parts (1, 2), said levers respectively comprising two lever arms (7, 8) and extending essentially parallel to the coupling axis. Each clamping element (5) is arranged on a lever arm (7) and each lever arm (8) opposing each of the clamping elements (5) is actively connected to an actuating means (9) for the emergency separation of the coupling. According to the invention, the actuating means (9) is embodied as a ring element (11) which is provided with at least one radial cam (10) and is mounted in such a way that it rotates about the coupling part (1, 2) comprising the lever (6). Each lever arm (8) on the side of the actuating means is actively connected to the radial cam (10) in such a way that either the coupled or the uncoupled state can be adjusted by a rotation of the ring element (11).

Description

 Emergency release safety coupling

The invention relates to an emergency disconnect safety clutch according to the preamble of independent claim 1.

Emergency disconnect safety clutches of this type for lines for conveying liquids are known, for example, according to EP-A-0 096 209 A2. This clutch is designed to a certain extent according to the "brake shoe principle", d. H . on two hinged on one side clamping levers, between which at their other ends a pivoting and releasable connecting lever is arranged, are arranged as holding jaws, which hold the clutch in the clamping position. Apart from the fact that the triggering of the connecting lever must precede a valve closing with the same element, due to the formation of the whole adjusting and clamping mechanism no abrupt opening of the coupling can be done because the "jaws" from top to bottom, d. H. for joint connection of the two clamping levers, one after the other lift radially from the connecting flanges of the two coupling parts.

An emergency disconnect safety coupling according to the preamble of claim 1, from which it is assumed here and already takes into account the disadvantages mentioned above, according to EP-AO 517 127 Bl known (see in particular Fig. 7 and 8 with the associated description).

This emergency disconnect safety coupling has proven itself with regard to its emergency disconnect function. With regard to a re-assembly of the two coupling parts after an emergency separation, this line coupling has proven to be disadvantageous insofar as this requires a relatively tedious readjustment or in position of the lever arms. The coupling of this EP-AO 517 127 Namely, has a peelable ring, which must be repositioned after the emergency separation. Furthermore, spring-loaded levers are present, which must all be operated simultaneously after an emergency disconnection in order to connect the two coupling parts with each other.

The invention has for its object to provide a technically simple as possible and at the same time easy to handle mechanism in an emergency disconnect safety coupling of the type mentioned, which ensures a problem-free reassembly of the two coupling parts according to their emergency separation.

This object is achieved with an emergency disconnect safety coupling of the type mentioned in the present invention by the features listed in the characterizing part of the independent claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments and further developments, which are explained in more detail, emerge according to the dependent claims.

According to the invention is therefore provided according to claim 1 that the actuating means is designed as rotatable on one of the coupling parts, axially fixed collar, which has at least one control curve for coupling plane, with the operating lever can be pivoted so as to those with the levers lift off in connection jaws from the coupling area or after an emergency separation to put on this again. The whole thing is therefore reduced to a simple and relatively short rotational adjustment of the Stellringes.

In other words, the lever arms are to be actuated by means of the rotatable ring member with its control cam, ie j erer lever arm engages in a cam portion having at least two merge into each other radii areas, namely a first, through which the lever clamping or clamping elements in Press the coupling position and hold the coupling parts together, and a second, through which the levers lifted and thus the clamping or Kleπunelemente be lifted from its coupling position with the result that the coupling parts fall apart abruptly.

Compared to the cited prior art, the inventive design of the emergency release clutch is characterized in particular by the fact that on the one hand a much lower friction to trigger the clutch to overcome and this is more predictable in advance, and on the other hand after separating the Clutch whose moving parts still remain firmly connected to the one coupling part after decoupling and not loose in some way, for example, secured by chains, hanging on her, as is the case for example in the subject of said EP-AO 517 127 Bl ,

The emergency disconnect safety coupling according to the invention and its advantageous embodiments and developments are explained in more detail below with reference to the drawings of exemplary embodiments.

It shows schematically

Fig. 1 in longitudinal section the emergency-separating safety coupling with the ring element according to the invention for actuating the clamping or clamping elements;

Figure 2 is an axial view of a three-part embodiment of the clamping elements in the coupling position.

Fig. 3 partially cut the ring element-side end of a lever arm;

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment of the ring element or the adjusting ring with eight adjusting curves seen from the lever side for the actuation of eight lever arms and

Fig. 5 in principle and highly schematic of an embodiment to impart the adjusting ring rotation. In Figure 1, a preferred embodiment of the emergency disconnect safety coupling according to the invention is shown in section. This comprises two trained as valves coupling parts 1, 2 with zusammenkuppelbaren connection areas 3, 4, which, as shown, are held firmly together in the coupled state of appropriately form-fitting trained clamping or clamping elements 5, sealed with seals 20 and open valve plates 21 liquids (for example, gasoline, oil or the like.) To be able to pass.

When the valves are so-called poppet valves, which are self-closing due to the springs 22 shown, but keep each other open in the coupled state, which requires no special explanation, since such self-closing valves in other forms, as shown here, for example only , are well known.

Fig. 1 shows with the elongated valve tappets 23 a particularly simple embodiment, d. H. , In principle, all other known mechanisms for the realization of this valve function can also be considered in the preceding inventive emergency release safety clutch. If the clamping or clamping elements 5 are withdrawn radially in a emergency separation situation from the connection areas 3, 4, the valve plates 21 abruptly go into the closed position and prevent the discharge of the pumped medium from the safety coupling.

The clamping or clamping element 5 consist of form-fitting to the connection areas 3, 4 formed jaws that hold together under corresponding contact pressure in this area outside corresponding profile matched coupling parts 1, 2. Depending on requirements, at least two of these jaws distributed over the circumference of the coupling are required, but better are three (see FIG. 2) or more uniformly distributed, so that the distance between the jaws of the connection areas 3, 4 is always the same as possible and it can not lead to a tilting at a emergency separation. Further, pivotally mounted on one of the two coupling parts 1, 2 and extending substantially parallel to the axis of the clutch in each case two lever arms 7, 8 having lever 6 for fixing and actuating the clamping elements 5 are provided. In this case, each tensioning element 5 is arranged or preferably articulated on a lever arm 7, whereby each lever 6 with its other lever arm 8 is in operative connection with the so-called actuating means 9 for triggering an emergency separation of the clutch.

This preferably designed as a collar actuating means 9 is provided with at least one control cam 10 and is rotatably mounted in the illustrated embodiment on the lever 6 having coupling part 2, wherein j eder actuate-side arm 8 of each lever 6 with the control cam 10 is operatively connected such that a rotation of the adjusting ring 11 either the coupled or the uncoupled state is adjustable.

For pivotal mounting of the ring element 11 on the coupling part 2, the ring element 11 is provided with a cylindrical inner race 19, which is rotatably and axially fixed (for example by means of a retaining ring 24) mounted on a coupling part 2, diameter-matching outer race 25.

For precise guidance of the arms 8 of the lever 6 is advantageously provided that the at least one control cam 10 per lever 6 (shown eight, but ultimately is also a continuous, so to speak meandering - see punctures in Figure 4- guide possible) at least two radially has guide regions 13, 14 that are spaced apart from the coupling axis and define the coupled and uncoupled state. For a better understanding, reference is made to FIG. 3:

With reference to FIG. 1, the free end of each lever arm 8 engages in the control cam 10, namely in the coupled state into the radially outward guide region 13 and in the decoupled state into the radially further inside. Here are these two guide portions 13, 14 to ensure good rotational properties of the adjusting ring 11 during the transition from one to the other area, preferably via a continuously extending guide curve 15 connected to each other.

Since, depending on the application, considerable forces are required to hold the two coupling parts together, it is advantageously provided that the two lever arms 7, 8 of each lever 6, which is rotatably mounted on a rotary bearing 16 on the coupling part 2, are dimensioned differently long, preferably in such a way in that the tensioning element-side lever arm 7 is shorter than the ring-element-side lever arm 8. In addition, the clamping or clamping elements 5 are advantageous for better positioning when Wiederkopkuppeln hingedly connected to the lever arms 7 of the lever 6, for which, for example, the elements 5 are provided with corresponding joint bearing extensions 26.

To further reduce the friction between the elements for emergency separation, it is also advantageously provided that the actuating means or ring element-side ends of the lever arms 8 are provided with bearing elements 12, preferably roller bearings or plain bearings, which engage in the at least one control cam 10. Figure 3 shows an example of a roller bearing which is secured with a locking ring 12 'on the lever arm 8 against axial displacement. The outer diameter of the roller bearing corresponds with little play the open width of the control cam 10 according to Figure 4, d. H. the roller bearing moves within the control cam 10 as in a slotted guide.

For an emergency separation of the coupling or the coupling part 1, 2 in the parting plane E, a rotation of the adjusting ring 11 is required according to the explanations given. As a corresponding rotation is imparted to the adjusting ring, with respect to the operative connection according to the invention between the adjusting ring 11 and the levers 6 per se of minor importance, for the sake of completeness (and as a preferred embodiment) but, for example, with reference to FIG. 5, the following explains:

Usually, a hose is connected to at least one end of the coupling, which leads, for example, to a tank to be filled. The other end of the coupling can for example be arranged directly on a tank truck. In order to realize an emergency disconnecting function (for example, in the event that a tanker is accidentally moved away), a steel cable is stretched between the tank and the emergency disconnecting safety coupling, whereas the hose S indicated only by dashed lines in FIG slightly curved shape is misplaced.

The coupling end of the steel cable is directly connected to the tripping mechanism of the coupling, i. H. Even before a direct tensile load on the hose can occur, the tensioned steel cable triggers the emergency separation and thus prevents the hose from tearing or being torn from its anchorage.

For example, on the adjusting ring 11 to provide a stop 17 and on the coupling part 2, a small double lever 18 with cable 27, as shown, for example. As soon as an emergency train on the cable 27 is exercised, the small lever 18 is pivoted accordingly, proposes to stop 17 and rotates the collar 11 of Figure 4 in the direction of arrow P, which then, as described above, for lifting the Clamping elements 5 and thus leads to the release of the clutch. Of course, j ede other suitable constructive solution for the realization of the small rotation of the ring member 11 due to a tensile force on the safety rope or cable 27 comes into consideration.

In order to connect the coupling part 1 connected to the hose S to the coupling part 2 or to reconnect it after emergency separation, the coupling part 1 is simply re-set in the parting plane E with the clamping jaws 5 raised, and the clamping jaws are replaced by corresponding rotation of the adjusting ring 11 Tensioning position brought.

Claims

claims 1. emergency disconnect safety coupling, comprising two formed as a valve coupling parts (1, 2) with zusammenkuppelbaren terminal areas (3, 4), which are held together in the coupled state of corresponding form-fitting adapted clamping elements (5), wherein on one of the two coupling parts (1, 2) pivotally mounted and substantially coupling parallel extending, each two lever arms (7, 8) having lever (6) for fixing the clamping elements (5) are provided, each clamping element (5) arranged on a lever arm (7) and each of the clamping elements (5) opposite lever arm (8) is operatively connected to an actuating means (9) for emergency separation of the clutch, since you rhgekennzeic hn et, that the actuating means (9) as with at least one control cam (10) provided to the levers (6) having coupling part (1, 2) rotatably mounted ring member (11) is formed, wherein each actuating means side Heb elarm (8) is operatively connected to the control cam (10) that by rotation of the ring member (11) either the coupled or the decoupled state is adjustable. 2. emergency release safety coupling according to claim 1, since you rchgekennzeic hn et that the ring element (11) has a cylindrical Innenlagerlauf- flat (19) which is positively rotatable and axially fixed to one of the two coupling parts (1, 2) provided outer bearing surface (20) is formed. 3. emergency disconnect safety coupling according to claim 1 or 2, since you rchgekennzeic hn et, that the at least one control cam (10) per lever (6) at least two radially different from the coupling axis has distanced, the coupled and uncoupled state defining guide regions (13, 14). 4. Emergency disconnect safety coupling according to claim 3, characterized in that a continuously extending guide curve (15) is provided between the guide regions (13, 14). 5. emergency disconnect safety coupling according to one of claims 1 to 4, since you rhinge nn zeic hn et, that on the coupling parts (1, 2) pivot bearing (16) for the lever (6) are provided, these in the two Divide lever arms (7, 8). 6. Emergency disconnect safety coupling according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the clamping elements (5) are pivotally connected to the lever arms (7). 7. emergency disconnect safety coupling according to one of claims 1 to 6, d a d u r c h e c e n e c e in that the lever arms (7, 8) have different lengths. 8. Emergency disconnect safety coupling according to claim 7, characterized in that the clamping element-side lever arm (7) shorter than the actuating means side lever arm (8) is formed. 9. emergency disconnect safety coupling according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the actuating means side ends of the lever arms (8) with in the at least one control cam (10) engaging bearing elements (12) are provided. 10. Emergency disconnect safety coupling according to claim 9, characterized in that the laser elements (12) are in the form of rollers. 11. emergency disconnect safety coupling according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the ring element (11) with a stop (17) is provided and that this stop (17) associated with the relevant coupling part with a cable (27) provided actuating mechanism is. 12. Emergency disconnect safety coupling according to claim 11, characterized in that the adjusting mechanism in the form of a double lever (18) is formed, whose short arm (18 ') with the stop (17) can be brought into operative connection.