U.S. patent application number 14/358432 was filed with the patent office on 2014-10-30 for modular flange.
The applicant listed for this patent is TENNECO GMBH. Invention is credited to Rolf Engel, Bernd Fuhrmann, Adrien Lehmann, Andreas Steigert, Michael Weidner.
Application Number | 20140319830 14/358432 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47428563 |
Filed Date | 2014-10-30 |
United States Patent
Application |
20140319830 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Weidner; Michael ; et
al. |
October 30, 2014 |
MODULAR FLANGE
Abstract
A multipart gas pipe flange for connecting to a counter-flange
of an internal combustion engine, having at least one flange plate
designed as an outer flange, and having a flange inner part that
can be received in said flange plate and is used for attaching a
gas pipe which is connected downstream of the inner part in the
flow direction and which is fluidically connected. The flange plate
has at least one recess for the flange inner part, said recess
having at least one inner surface and an inner diameter Di, and a
mounting surface which can be placed at least indirectly on the
counter-flange. The flange inner part has an outer surface which
corresponds to the inner surface and which has an outer diameter
Da. The outer surface and the inner surface have a basic shape
which tapers in the flow direction, and when being clamped against
the counter flange, the outer surface and the inner surface can be
clamped relative to each other at least partially in a direction
(R) which runs radially in relation to a central axis of the outer
surface and/or the inner surface.
Inventors: |
Weidner; Michael;
(Edenkoben, DE) ; Steigert; Andreas; (Lambrecht,
DE) ; Fuhrmann; Bernd; (Harthausen, DE) ;
Engel; Rolf; (Maikammer, DE) ; Lehmann; Adrien;
(Schleithal, FR) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
TENNECO GMBH |
Edenkoben |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
47428563 |
Appl. No.: |
14/358432 |
Filed: |
November 16, 2012 |
PCT Filed: |
November 16, 2012 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/EP2012/072872 |
371 Date: |
May 15, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
285/368 ; 72/338;
72/352 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B21D 22/20 20130101;
F01N 13/1844 20130101; F01N 13/1855 20130101; F16L 23/032 20130101;
F01N 13/10 20130101; F01N 13/1805 20130101; B21D 35/001
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
285/368 ; 72/352;
72/338 |
International
Class: |
F01N 13/18 20060101
F01N013/18; B21D 35/00 20060101 B21D035/00; B21D 22/20 20060101
B21D022/20 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 18, 2011 |
DE |
10 2011 118 862.6 |
Claims
1. A multipart gas pipe flange for connecting to a counter-flange
of an internal combustion engine, comprising: at least one flange
plate designed as an outer flange, and comprising a flange inner
part that can be received in said flange plate and is used for
attaching a gas pipe which is connected downstream of the inner
part in a flow direction and which is fluidically connected,
wherein the flange plate has at least one recess for a single
flange inner part, having an inner surface and an inner diameter
Di, and a mounting surface which can be placed at least indirectly
on the counter-flange, wherein the flange inner part has an outer
surface which corresponds to the inner surface and which has an
outer diameter Da, wherein the outer surface and the inner surface
have a basic shape which tapers in the flow direction, and when
being clamped against the counter flange the outer surface and the
inner surface can be clamped relative to each other at least
partially in a direction R which runs radially in relation to a
central axis of the outer surface and/or the inner surface.
2. The gas pipe flange according to claim 1, wherein the outer
surface and the corresponding inner surface are formed as an
envelope surface of a cone in basic shape and have an axial overlap
d of at least 2 mm to 5 mm in regard to the center axis.
3. The gas pipe flange according to claim 2, wherein the outer
surface and/or the inner surface are profiled and/or have grooves,
recesses or slots running in a circumferential direction and/or in
a radial direction and/or in an axial direction in relation to the
center axis.
4. The gas pipe flange according to claim 1, wherein the flange
inner part and/or the flange plate are made from deep drawn and/or
punched sheet metal.
5. The gas pipe flange according to claim 1, wherein the flange
inner part at least in the assembled condition sticks out in an
axial direction beyond the mounting surface of the flange
plate.
6. The gas pipe flange according to claim 2, wherein the flange
plate is formed from several plates each with a recess, while the
respective recess is conical or cylindrical in configuration and
all the recesses form the conical basic shape of the inner
surface.
7. The gas pipe flange according to claim 1, wherein the flange
inner part is formed from material more temperature resistant than
the flange plate.
8. A system consisting of a gas pipe flange according to claim 1,
wherein a gas pipe is provided that is fastened only on the flange
inner part and stands in fluidic connection with the flange inner
part.
9. A system consisting of a gas pipe flange according to claim 1,
wherein a seal is provided, which has an encircling sealing bead
which can bear against a bearing surface of the flange inner part
and/or against the counter flange, wherein the seal has a sealing
bead in the area of the flange inner part that at least in the
assembled condition sticks out in an axial direction beyond a
mounting surface of the flange plate.
10. A system according to claim 7 mounted on an exhaust gas system
and/or on an internal combustion engine.
11. A method for making a gas pipe flange according to claim 1,
wherein at least the recess of the flange plate and/or at least the
outer surface of the flange inner part are made by a deep drawing
process and/or a punching process.
12. The gas pipe flange according to claim 3, wherein the flange
inner part and/or the flange plate are made from deep drawn and/or
punched sheet metal.
13. The gas pipe flange according to claim 12, wherein the flange
inner part at least in the assembled condition sticks out in the
axial direction beyond the mounting surface of the flange
plate.
14. The gas pipe flange according to claim 13, wherein the flange
plate is formed from several plates each with a recess, while the
respective recess is conical or cylindrical in configuration and
all the recesses form the conical basic shape of the inner
surface.
15. A system consisting of a gas pipe flange according to claim 14,
wherein a gas pipe is provided that is fastened only on the flange
inner part and stands in fluidic connection with the flange inner
part.
16. The system according to claim 15, wherein a seal is provided,
which has an encircling sealing bead which can bear against a
bearing surface of the flange inner part and/or against the counter
flange, wherein the seal has a sealing bead in the area of the
flange inner part that at least in the assembled condition sticks
out in the axial direction beyond a mounting surface of the flange
plate.
17. A method for making a gas pipe flange according to claim 7,
wherein at least the recess of the flange plate and/or at least the
outer surface of the flange inner part are made by a deep drawing
process and/or a punching process.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a multipart gas, exhaust, or mixed
pipe flange for connecting to a counter-flange such as a cylinder
head flange or an exhaust gas turbocharger flange of an internal
combustion engine, comprising at least one flange plate forming an
outer flange, having at least one recess for a flange inner part,
having a central axis and an inner diameter, and comprising a
flange inner part for attachment of a gas pipe connected downstream
and in fluidic connection, such as an exhaust gas manifold pipe or
a fresh air line, which is mounted inside the recess, wherein the
flange inner part has an outer surface corresponding to the recess
with an outer diameter Da. In particular, the counter flange will
be the cylinder head or the exhaust gas turbocharger or other pipe
flanges on the exhaust gas and/or fresh air side of an internal
combustion engine, such as a catalytic converter.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] A flange ring of an internal combustion engine is already
known from DE 196 42 692 C2, having a recess for an exhaust gas
pipe and comprising a reinforcement ring which is mounted
indirectly across the exhaust gas pipe in the recess, wherein an
exhaust gas inner pipe is provided, formed from a material which is
more temperature resistant than the exhaust gas pipe, and wherein
the reinforcement ring and the exhaust gas pipe have an outer
surface configured as part of a sphere, corresponding to the inner
surface of the flange ring, while the outer surfaces and the inner
surface when joined to the cylinder head of the internal combustion
engine can be clamped relative to each other.
[0003] An exhaust gas manifold flange is known from DE 10 2006 020
608 B4, being formed from a flange and a flange ring guided
therein. The flange ring is configured conically according to
sample embodiment FIG. 5 and lies by a collar against a sealing
element on the cylinder head.
[0004] DE 102 20 986 B4 describes an exhaust gas manifold flange
with at least one flange plate, which can be mounted on a cylinder
head, while the flange plate has at least one recess for a flange
inner part, and with a flange inner part which is guided through
the recess and serves to secure an exhaust gas pipe. The flange
inner part is made from material more temperature resistant than
the flange plate and is connected to the flange plate by means of
IHU methods or by press fitting and/or welding. It has a conically
configured bearing surface, by which it can be brought to bear
directly against a cylinder head outlet.
[0005] A manifold arrangement consisting of several pipe bundles is
known from DE 1 164 157 B. The individual chambers of the line are
connected by sockets to the cylinder outlets and this by a sliding
flange, which enables a lengthwise expansion of the line relative
to the cylinder blocks. The sliding flange is formed from the
socket, which is secured on the cylinder via a locking and clamping
rail. At the top the sockets and rails are step shaped, and at the
bottom they have a bevel or facet.
[0006] Accordingly, it is assumed that the locking and clamping
rail is formed from two partial rails, similar to that known from
EP 1 571 305 A1. The sliding flange is meant to ensure a lengthwise
expansion (at right angles to the plane of the drawing). It is
therefore to be assumed that the locking and clamping rail extends
only in the lengthwise direction, i.e., at right angles to the
plane of the drawing, so that it can likewise be inferred that it
is formed from two partial rails.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The problem of the invention is to configure and arrange the
gas pipe flange such that a simplified construction and a more
favorable fabrication of the gas pipe flange are assured.
[0008] The problem is solved according to the invention in that the
flange inner part has an outer surface configured conically in
terms of basic shape which tapers in the flow direction and the
flange plate has an inner surface configured conically in terms of
basic shape which tapers in the flow direction, wherein the outer
surface and the inner surface when the gas pipe flange is being
clamped against the counter flange can be clamped relative to each
other in a direction R which runs radially in relation to the
central axis. The clamping is done preferably about the
circumference, either uniformly or also only in certain sections,
by use of the recesses described hereafter. This results in a form
fit acting in the radial direction as well as the axial direction
to the center axis between the flange inner part and the flange
plate. This ensures that the flange plate and the flange inner part
are pressed together solely by tightening against the counter
flange with the aid of the mounting bolts with a force component
acting in the radial direction and in axial direction to the center
axis. No additional joining processes are needed for connection of
flange plate and flange inner part, such as soldering, welding or
joining The outer surface and the inner surface, depending on the
surface texture and the type of surface, can also bear against each
other only by segments and/or points.
[0009] Furthermore, it can be advantageous to make the flange inner
part from material which is more temperature resistant than the
flange plate at the exhaust gas side when used for an exhaust gas
manifold for a cylinder head or an exhaust gas turbocharger. The
use of such a mix of materials can save on costs, because the
flange plate can be made from lower alloy steel.
[0010] For this, it can also be advantageous for the outer surface
and the corresponding inner surface to be configured as a conical
envelope surface in regard to basic shape and to have an axial
overlap d of at least 2 mm to 5 mm in regard to the center axis.
The axial overlap d corresponds to the thickness of the flange
plate or the flange inner part, when these are flat in
configuration. With increasing overlap d, the possible surface
pressure between the outer surface and the inner surface becomes
less. The flange plate or the flange inner part are at least 2 mm
thick in this case.
[0011] In the context of the configuration and arrangement
according to the invention, it can be advantageous for the outer
surface and/or the inner surface to be profiled and/or to have
grooves, recesses or slots running in the circumferential direction
and/or in the radial direction and/or in the axial direction with
respect to the center axis. Accordingly, it is also possible to
have the outer surface and/or the inner surface profiled, such as
with grooves running in the circumferential direction, so that the
surface pressure is increased, and thus the tightness improved,
despite the existing overlap d.
[0012] Moreover, it can be advantageous for the flange inner part
and/or the flange plate to be formed from deep drawn and/or punched
out sheet metal. The process safety achieved in this way is even
further enhanced by the conically configured contact surfaces
between the flange inner part and the flange plate, because a
sufficiently large pretensioning can be realized even with relative
large tolerances in regard to its configuration.
[0013] It can be advantageous for the flange inner part to have a
bearing surface for a seal, such as a flat seal, by which the seal
can be tensioned against the counter flange. With the help of the
seal, defined bearing conditions can be easily accomplished between
the two-part gas pipe flange and the counter flange, so that only
the flange inner part bears in sealing manner against the counter
flange. If the flange inner part sticks out in the axial direction
beyond the mounting surface of the flange plate, it can be
advantageous for the seal to reach into the zone of the mounting
bolts for the gas pipe flange, so that a simple placement and
preliminary fixation is possible.
[0014] Alternatively or additionally it can be advantageous for the
flange inner part at least in the assembled condition to stick out
in the axial direction beyond the mounting surface of the flange
plate. In this way, a defined bearing of the flange inner part
against the counter flange or a seal inserted in between is
assured. The mounting surface of the flange plate thus is not
tensioned against the counter flange, as this would affect the
bearing conditions of the flange inner part. The press fit between
the flange plate and the flange inner part is preserved in this
way.
[0015] Furthermore, it can be advantageous for the flange plate to
be formed from several plates, each with a recess, while the
respective recess is conical or cylindrical in configuration and
all the recesses form the conical basic shape of the inner surface.
In the case of the cylindrical recess, these differ in diameter so
that on the whole a conical inner surface is still produced at
least in terms of basic shape, albeit of stepped form, which clamps
the flange inner part across its outer surface.
[0016] It can also be advantageous to provide a gas pipe such as an
exhaust manifold pipe or a manifold that is fastened solely on the
flange inner part and stands in fluidic connection with the flange
inner part. In such a system, the flange inner part and the gas
pipe or the manifold pipe provide for the relaying function on
account of the gas-tight connection. The flange inner part has a
central outlet hole, to which the gas pipe or the manifold pipe is
connected.
[0017] It can be advantageous to provide a seal having an
encircling sealing bead that bears or at least can bear against a
bearing surface of the flange inner part and/or against the counter
flange, wherein the sealing bead in the area of the flange inner
part at least in the assembled condition sticks out in the axial
direction beyond the mounting surface of the flange plate. In this
way, the bearing conditions defined by the flat seal with bead are
also determined in regard to the press fit.
[0018] Also advantageous is a method for making a gas pipe flange
in which at least the recess of the flange plate or the flange
plate and/or at least the outer surface of the flange inner part or
the flange inner part are made by means of a deep drawing process
and/or a punching process. Deep drawing processes and/or punching
processes have a high degree of production safety and are also
economical for this reason.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] Further benefits and features of the invention are discussed
in the patent claims and in the specification and represented in
the figures. There are shown:
[0020] FIG. 1, a sectional representation of an exhaust gas
manifold flange with cylinder head;
[0021] FIG. 2, view A-A of FIG. 1;
[0022] FIG. 3a-3c, further embodiments.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0023] FIG. 1 involves an exhaust gas manifold flange 1 for a
cylinder head 2. The exhaust gas manifold flange 1 shown in FIG. 1
is connected to an outlet 2.1 of a cylinder head 2 of an internal
combustion engine. It is multi-part and has a flange plate 1.1,
which has a recess 3 for a flange inner part 1.2. The flange inner
part 1.2 is installed or mounted inside the recess 3, which has a
center axis 3.1. The flange inner part 1.2 stands in fluidic
connection with an outlet 2.1 of the cylinder head 2 and has an
outlet hole 3.2, which is arranged coaxial to the outlet 2.1. In
order to accommodate the flange inner part 1.2, the latter has a
conically configured outer surface 4 in terms of basic shape that
tapers in the direction of the center axis 3.1 and the flange plate
1.1 has a corresponding inner surface 5, likewise conical in basic
shape and bearing against the outer surface 4, wherein the outer
surface 4 and the inner surface 5 when clamped against the cylinder
head 2 of the internal combustion engine can be clamped together in
the direction of a surface normal N and thus in a direction R
running radially to the center axis 3.1. The clamping against the
cylinder head 2 of the internal combustion engine occurs via a
recess 1.4 for mounting bolts (not shown) on the cylinder head
2.
[0024] The conically configured outer surface 4 and the inner
surface 5 taper in the flow direction S. Both of them are in the
configuration of an envelope surface of a cone and have an axial
overlap d at the thickness of the flange plate 1.1 of around 5 mm
in relation to the center axis 3.1.
[0025] FIG. 1 shows two sample embodiments, separated by the center
axis 3.1.
[0026] According to this representation, at the left side of the
figure the outer surface 4 of the flange inner part 1.2 has slots
or grooves 4.1 running in the circumferential direction, which
heightens the surface pressure between the inner surface 5 and the
outer surface 4. The slots or grooves 4.1 can alternatively or
additionally be provided, as shown at the right side of the figure,
in the inner surface 5. The slots or grooves 4.1 can also be
arranged (not shown) running in the axial or radial direction in
relation to the center axis 3.1.
[0027] The flange inner part 1.2 has a bearing surface 1.3, against
which a seal 6 bears. The seal 6 can thus be clamped via the flange
inner part 1.2 and the mounting bolts (not shown) against the
cylinder head 2. The seal 6 has an encircling sealing bead 6.1,
which in the sample embodiment on the left side of the figure can
bear at least against the cylinder head 2. According to the sample
embodiment on the right side of the figure, the sealing bead 6.1
bears against the bearing surface 1.3 of the flange inner part 1.2.
The sealing bead 6.1 can also be provided on both sides of the flat
seal 6, so that this can bear against both the cylinder head 2 and
the bearing surface 1.3. Thus, it is ensured that the flange inner
part 1.2 bears tightly or is pretensioned indirectly via the
sealing bead 6.1 against the cylinder head 2 and the flange plate
1.1 does not hinder this tight abutment. Furthermore, the seal 6
according to the right side of the figure has a recess 6.2, by
which it can be placed on the mounting bolts (not shown).
[0028] The flange inner part 1.2 sticks out by its bearing surface
1.3 in the axial direction beyond a mounting surface 1.5 of the
flange plate 1.1 by the dimension a, so that additionally or
alternatively to the above-described action of the sealing bead 6.1
a sufficient abutment or pretensioning of the flange inner part 1.2
against the cylinder head 2 is assured. An excessive pretensioning
of the flange plate 1.1 or a bearing of the latter against the
cylinder, which might influence the tight abutment of the flange
inner part 1.2, is thus avoided.
[0029] Thanks to the two-part design of the gas pipe flange 1, the
flange inner part 1.2 can be made from material more temperature
resistant than the flange plate 1.1.
[0030] A manifold 7 is arranged or secured gas-tight inside or at
the recess 3 of the flange inner part 1.2.
[0031] According to the sectional view A-A of FIG. 2, four recesses
1.4 are provided inside the flange plate 1.1 for the mounting bolts
(not shown). The flange plate 1.1 can be provided separately for
each cylinder or also as a collective plate for several
cylinders.
[0032] According to the embodiment of FIG. 3a, the flange plate 1.1
is multi-part, formed from four sheet metal plates 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d.
The respective plate 1a, 1b, 1c, 1d has a cylindrical recess 3a,
3b, 3c, 3d which are reduced in diameter in relation to the flow
direction S. Thus, on the whole, one gets a stepwise conical inner
surface 5. The flange inner part 1.2 here is substantially thicker
in configuration.
[0033] According to embodiment FIG. 3a, the flange inner part 1.2
is thin-wall, preferably made from sheet metal, while the outer
surface 4 and the flange inner part 1.2 are made by a deep drawing
process and/or a punching process.
[0034] According to embodiment FIG. 3c, the flange plate 1.1 and
the flange inner part 1.2 are thin-wall, preferably made from sheet
metal, while the inner surface 5 and the flange plate 1.1 are also
made by a deep drawing process and/or a punching process.
LIST OF REFERENCE SYMBOLS
[0035] 1 Gas pipe flange, exhaust or mixed manifold flange [0036]
1.1 Flange plate, outer flange [0037] 1a Plate [0038] 1b Plate
[0039] 1c Plate [0040] 1d Plate [0041] 1.2 Flange inner part [0042]
1.3 Bearing surface [0043] 1.4 Recess of 1.1 [0044] 1.5 Mounting
surface [0045] 2 Counter flange, cylinder head, cylinder head
flange [0046] 2.1 Outlet [0047] 3 Recess [0048] 3a Recess [0049] 3b
Recess [0050] 3c Recess [0051] 3d Recess [0052] 3.1 Center axis
[0053] 3.2 Outlet hole [0054] 4 Outer surface, contact surface
[0055] 4.1 Groove, slot [0056] 5 Inner surface, contact surface
[0057] 6 Seal, O-ring [0058] 6.1 Sealing bead [0059] 6.2 Recess of
6 [0060] 7 Gas pipe, manifold, exhaust manifold pipe, manifold pipe
[0061] a Projection, dimension [0062] d Overlap [0063] Da Outer
diameter of 4 [0064] Di Inner diameter of 5 [0065] N Normal to the
surface [0066] R Direction [0067] S Flow direction
* * * * *