Fluid handling – Systems – With flow control means for branched passages
Reexamination Certificate
2000-11-29
2002-03-12
Fox, John (Department: 3753)
Fluid handling
Systems
With flow control means for branched passages
C137S544000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06354329
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention concerns a maintenance device for compressed air systems, comprising at least two functional modules, such as a filter module, a shut-off module, a regulator module, a lubricator module or the like, having a connection for a line carrying the compressed air to be treated, a connection for a line carrying the treated compressed air and, optionally, a connection for electric lines.
EP 261 711 A1, DE 36 06 953 A1 and DE 295 09 073 disclose maintenance devices of the above-mentioned type. These maintenance devices comprise functional modules disposed next to one another and having a plurality of different functions for the compressed air to be treated. These functional modules filter, drain, or lubricate the compressed air to be treated. A certain pressure can also be set. Further functions are feasible. Each of these maintenance devices has the substantial advantage that it can be adjusted to the specific needs of a customer: i.e. it comprises only those functional modules which are required to treat the compressed air in accordance with the specific requirements. These modules are disposed next to one another, in a horizontal direction, and the compressed air to be treated flows through same from the right to the left or vice versa.
A disadvantage thereof is that the piping for the compressed air has to be guided such that the flow always approaches the maintenance device from a predetermined side, i.e. from the right or left. This may require considerable installation effort.
A further disadvantage consists in that these known maintenance devices are relatively wide in dependence on the number of individual functional modules and thus cannot be easily mounted at any location on the machine.
A further disadvantage is that, when the maintenance device is enlarged, i.e. through addition of further functional modules, the existing pressure lines have to be correspondingly shortened. When functional modules are removed, connection to the existing pressure lines is no longer possible since they are too short and spacers have to be installed.
It is therefore the underlying purpose of the invention to provide a maintenance device which is relatively small and can be easily increased or reduced in size.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This object is achieved in accordance with the present invention in that all functional modules are disposed vertically, one on top of the other, and are connected to one another.
Through the vertical arrangement, one on top of the other, the width of the maintenance unit is not determined by the number of functional modules but by the width of the functional modules. Modification of the maintenance device through addition of further functional modules or by removing individual functional modules does not change the connection configuration, position or installation plan of the compressed air lines since the compressed air lines are guided to the maintenance device in a horizontal direction. The lines do not have to be shortened or lengthened since the width of the inventive maintenance device, i.e. its horizontal size, is not changed rather the height, i.e. its vertical extent. The maintenance device in accordance with the invention is relatively narrow. It can therefore be easily mounted to machines, in particular, a machine support or the like, since supports or tables of this type are sufficiently wide to accommodate such a maintenance device. Clearly, the maintenance device can also be mounted to a wall.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the connection for the line carrying the compressed air to be treated and the connection for the line carrying the treated air are provided on a common functional module. This functional module is the connection piece to which all pneumatic and, optionally, electric lines are connected. Further functional modules are then connected to this functional module in a vertical and generally downward direction, with the exception of pneumatic and electric connections.
In one embodiment, the pneumatic connections may be opposite to one another or, in another embodiment, may be provided on the same side surface. The functional module preferably comprises one connection on each of the two opposite side surfaces for the line carrying the compressed air to be treated. Such maintenance devices can be universally used, since the compressed air lines can be introduced from either side and the compressed air lines (inlet and outlet air lines) must not be re-installed or adapted to the air guidance configuration of the maintenance device. The inlet air line and the outlet air line may be connected e.g. on the left side or both on the right side or the inlet air line may be connected on the left side and the outlet air line on the right side or the inlet air line may be connected on the right side and the outlet air line may be connected on the left side. The connections on the functional module which are not required are plugged closed.
In a further development, the rear side of the functional module is provided with at least one of the connections. This allows one or the other or both pressure lines to be introduced from the rear side.
In an embodiment, the functional modules comprise at least one coupling flange via which they can be connected to a further functional module, wherein the coupling flange comprises a transfer opening for the compressed air to be treated and a transfer opening for the completely or partially treated compressed air and, in particular, a portion of an electric plug connection. The compressed air is transferred from one functional module to another via the transfer openings, wherein the functional modules are, in turn, provided with a preferably vertically extending air line. This air line preferably terminates on the upper side and lower side of the functional module. Untreated compressed air can pass through the functional module or air can pass through the corresponding treatment station. The individual functional modules are thereby coupled to a bus system to considerably simplify the structure of individual maintenance devices and to reduce the electric wiring to a minimum.
One embodiment provides for a functional module, in particular a filter module, which is structured as a conversion module into which the compressed air to be treated flows vertically from the top, is deflected and exits at the top. This filter module can be operated with and without a filter, wherein with inserted filter, the compressed air has been filtered before flowing out. This functional element is generally the last element which terminates the maintenance device in the vertical direction and no further functional element is added to this functional element. Further functional elements can be installed before this functional element, i.e. between the connection organ and the filter module, such that the filter module once more constitutes the last element.
One variant provides that at least one functional module has a distributor connection. This distributor connection forms a branch such that compressed air can be branched off from the system. Therein, the distributor connection can be coupled to the air line within the functional module before or after the functional element such that either the treated or untreated air can be branched off.
In a preferred fashion, all functional elements comprise such a distributor connection such that, depending on the requirements, air can be branched off from any section of the maintenance device without great installation effort.
In one embodiment, the air line is configured and the functional modules are disposed such that the air is treated in a vertical direction from the bottom to the top. This means that when the compressed air to be treated has been inlet, it is first guided through all functional elements to the lowermost functional element and then, starting with the lowermost functional element, is then treated within the individual functional elements in rising sequence, wherein the completely treated compressed air exits the main
Küther Ludwig
Schöllkopf Horst
Fox John
J. Lorch Gesellschaft & Co. GmbH
Vincent Paul
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