Abstract:
An anti-corrosion agent container ( 1 ), such that the anti-corrosion agent container ( 1 ) includes at least first and second chambers ( 2, 3 ). At least one perforated wall ( 5, 15 ) separates at least one of the first and the second chambers ( 2, 3 ) from the surroundings ( 10 ). The anti-corrosion agent container can be used in a wind turbine transmission to prevent corrosion.

Description:
[0001]    This application is a National Stage completion of PCT/EP2014/071709 filed Oct. 10, 2014, which claims priority from German patent application serial no. 10 2013 222 845.7 filed Nov. 11, 2013. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a container for anti-corrosion agents, the use of a container for anti-corrosion agents, to a cover for a transmission, to a transmission, and to a method for preventing corrosion in transmissions. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The prevention of corrosion is a central objective in the transport, use, storage and also in the manufacture of corrodible components such as machines, transmissions, etc. 
         [0004]    In what follows, the term “corrosion” is understood to mean, in particular, the rusting of iron and steel in machine components. However, corrosion can also mean the undesired alteration of other metals such as aluminum and/or copper, particularly by oxidation and/or environmental influences. Corrosion can also mean the degradation of plastics or other materials due to environmental influences such as heat or moisture. 
         [0005]    In the prior art, for preventing corrosion, corrosion-resistant materials such as steel, aluminum etc. are used. However, for cost reasons or because of the particular material properties of those materials this is not always possible. 
         [0006]    It is also possible to provide devices or components that are to be protected against corrosion with a surface coating, such as a paint. However, both the material costs of the coating and also the costs for applying the coating increase the manufacturing costs of such devices or components. In addition, surface coatings alter the surface properties of the device or component, so that undesired surface properties may possibly be produced by the coating. 
         [0007]    A further possibility for preventing corrosion is to store the component or device under a protective atmosphere such as nitrogen. To be able to maintain such a protective atmosphere, the device or component has to be transported in a gas-tight container and/or a continual supply of protective atmosphere to the device or component to be protected must be ensured. 
         [0008]    Another possibility is provided by solids that produce a gas such that the gas prevents the corrosion of components. Such gases are also known as VCIs (volatile corrosion inhibitors). 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The purpose of the present invention is to provide a device which enables simple, reliable and/or more cost-effective corrosion protection. 
         [0010]    This objective is achieved by a container for anti-corrosion agents according to the claims, the use of the container for anti-corrosion agents according to the claims, a cover according to the claims, a transmission according to the claims and a method according to the claims. 
         [0011]    Preferred embodiments are described below. 
         [0012]    In particular, the objective can be achieved by a container for anti-corrosion agents such that the container for anti-corrosion agents comprises at least two chambers and at least one perforated wall which separates at least one of the chambers from the surroundings. 
         [0013]    A perforated wall is understood to mean a wall that permits an exchange of gases. For example, such a wall can have one or more openings. Such a wall can also consist of a material permeable to gases. 
         [0014]    In particular, a perforated wall can be understood to mean as wall with a plurality of openings through which a gas can pass. In particular the wall can have more than five openings, and particularly preferably, more than ten openings. 
         [0015]    In particular, the total area of all the openings together can amount to a fraction of 25% to 75% of the total wall area, preferably 40% to 60% and particularly preferably approximately 50%. 
         [0016]    In particular, the openings can have a diameter of less than 5 mm, preferably less than 3 mm and particularly preferably less than 1 mm. A perforated wall can also be understood to mean a wall which is permeable to gas but which retains a solid. 
         [0017]    During use the anti-corrosion agent can be held in a container. Thus for example, after use the anti-corrosion agent can be removed easily out of or from the component. 
         [0018]    An anti-corrosion agent container can also be provided, which has at least two chambers and thus enables two different anti-corrosion agents to be used for preventing corrosion. In particular, the inside spaces of the chambers can be separate from one another. 
         [0019]    In particular, a perforated wall can prevent the anti-corrosion agent, as a solid, from making its way into the component and so impairing or preventing the function of the component. 
         [0020]    In particular, two or more chambers can have a perforated wall. Thus, the anti-corrosion agent container can have two or more chambers separated from the surroundings by a perforated wall. This makes it possible to put more than one anti-corrosion agent in an anti-corrosion agent container without direct contact with one another. 
         [0021]    The walls can be arranged in such manner that they are neither close to one another nor facing one another. Thus, the walls can be arranged facing away from one another. Preferably, the walls are a distance of more than 2 cm apart. 
         [0022]    Thus, different agents can be arranged in the various chambers while preventing the agents from influencing one another. By virtue of the arrangement of the walls opposite one another the reciprocal influence of the various agents is reduced. This can also prevent a gaseous fraction of one agent from being absorbed by a liquid or solid phase of another agent and being trapped in the corresponding chamber. 
         [0023]    Thus, an agent that releases a corrosion-inhibiting gas can be put into the first chamber while an agent is placed in the other chamber which absorbs substances such as moisture or liquids. 
         [0024]    An anti-corrosion agent container can also be understood to mean a pair or a group of several containers, each of which has at least one perforated wall, in particular exactly one perforated wall, and wherein the containers each have at least one chamber for containing an anti-corrosion agent, the containers being designed and/or arranged in such manner that the perforated walls are a distance of several centimeters apart. 
         [0025]    Thus, instead of one container with a plurality of chambers, more than one container having one or more chambers can be use. The outer dimensions of the individual containers can be reduced, so enabling the container or containers to be accommodated on or in a smaller space. 
         [0026]    In at least one chamber of the anti-corrosion agent container an agent can be placed, which releases vapors for corrosion protection. Such an agent can be a Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI). These can for example be salts such as amides or nitrides. In this context inhibitors or retarders are substances which retard or suppress chemical reactions. Thus, volatile corrosion inhibitors are volatile substances which inhibit the chemical reactions that result in corrosion. 
         [0027]    For that purpose, during use volatile corrosion inhibitors for example sublime continuously from a solid to a gaseous state and are deposited as a solid or liquid film on the component to be protected. During this the film displaces any liquid that has accumulated on the component and could give rise to corrosion. 
         [0028]    In the description and the claims, vapors are understood to mean gases and mixtures thereof. Thus, a solid can be placed in the anti-corrosion agent container, which for use can be placed together with the anti-corrosion agent container into the device or component to be protected. 
         [0029]    In the second chamber an agent can be placed, which absorbs moisture. Thus, on the one hand moisture can be removed from the component or device, so preventing corrosion solely by virtue of the particularly dry surroundings. 
         [0030]    The anti-corrosion agent container can be made from a non-corroding material such as stainless metals and/or plastics. This prevents rust, for example rust adhering to the anti-corrosion agent container, from making its way into the component and/or device and collecting in the component and/or device in such manner as to initiate rusting therein. 
         [0031]    The chambers can also have rounded corners and/or edges. Thus, the chambers can have corners and edges rounded on the inside, so that when an anti-corrosion agent is introduced into the anti-corrosion agent container the anti-corrosion agent will not be damaged. Particularly in the case of anti-corrosion agents that consist of a solid, the avoidance of sharp edges and corners can prevent particles of the solid breaking away and making their way, for example through the openings of the perforated wall, into the component and/or device. 
         [0032]    Furthermore, in the case of anti-corrosion agents which, for example, are gaseous or liquid and are surrounded by a casing, the design prevents the casing from being damaged by sharp corners or edges so that some of the anti-corrosion agent escapes from the casing. 
         [0033]    The anti-corrosion agent container can also have rounded corners and edges on the outside. This prevents the device and/or component from being damaged by the anti-corrosion agent container. This applies particularly to devices such as seals and other components made of plastic or rubber, but also to metallic components which, for example, have a specially treated and/or smooth surface. 
         [0034]    Rounded corners and/or edges on the outside of the anti-corrosion agent container also prevent the corners and/or edges from being knocked off when the container is positioned in or on a device and/or a component, so that for example the bits knocked off make their way into the device and/or component and get into a bearing or a transmission and cause damage to the bearing or transmission. 
         [0035]    The objective can also be achieved by using a anti-corrosion agent container in a transmission. The anti-corrosion agent container can be fixed on the transmission, but is preferably fixed in a housing of the transmission. In this way the anti-corrosion agent can be arranged in the anti-corrosion agent container so that it can be retrieved and removed easily. In particular, the anti-corrosion agent container can be placed in the transmission before the transmission is transported, and removed from the transmission before the transmission starts being used. 
         [0036]    It has also been recognized that during transport and storage a transmission must be protected from corrosion. For that purpose the anti-corrosion agent container can be inserted into the transmission before its storage and transport, and can remain in the transmission during storage and transport. During storage and transport the anti-corrosion agent can even be changed, for example in order to renew it or to adapt it to different conditions, for example different environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity. 
         [0037]    Before beginning to use the transmission, the anti-corrosion agent container can be removed from it in order to prevent the anti-corrosion agent container from interfering with the operation of the transmission. 
         [0038]    Furthermore, before beginning to use the transmission the transmission can be filled with oil. By removing the anti-corrosion agent container, the anti-corrosion agent can also be removed from the transmission, so preventing the anti-corrosion agent and/or the anti-corrosion agent container from reacting with the oil so that the oil acquires undesired properties, or from interfering particles breaking away from the anti-corrosion agent container or the anti-corrosion agent and then causing damage to the transmission. 
         [0039]    The objective can also be achieved by a cover for a transmission, the cover being attached to an anti-corrosion agent container. By virtue of the connection of the anti-corrosion agent container to the cover, the anti-corrosion agent container can be arranged in a position easily accessible from the outside. In this way the anti-corrosion agent container can be removed from the transmission by taking the cover off the transmission so that the anti-corrosion agent container can be moved away from the transmission along with the cover. 
         [0040]    In this case the cover can be connected detachably to the transmission, in particular to the transmission housing. 
         [0041]    The objective can also be achieved by a transmission such that the transmission has at least one anti-corrosion agent container. By means of the anti-corrosion agent container an anti-corrosion agent, in particular a moisture-absorbing and anti-corrosion agent releasing substance can be positioned in the transmission. 
         [0042]    In particular, the transmission has an inside space and an anti-corrosion agent container is arranged within the inside space. 
         [0043]    Preferably, the transmission has at least one cover that closes off the inside space. 
         [0044]    The objective is also achieved by a method for preventing corrosion in transmissions, such that an agent that releases corrosion-inhibiting vapors and an agent that absorbs moisture are placed in an inside space of the transmission and these agents are removed from the inside space before beginning to use the transmission. 
         [0045]    In an embodiment the corrosion-inhibiting vapors can be blown into the transmission. For this, the anti-corrosion agent container can be provided with a blower. The blower, such as a fan that delivers a corrosion-protecting gas, can be arranged on the outside and/or in the inside space of the anti-corrosion agent container. 
         [0046]    The blower can also be positioned a distance away from the anti-corrosion agent container. In this way the corrosion-protecting gas can be distributed more simply and in particular the distribution of the gas to remote surfaces or small openings is facilitated by the blower. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0047]    Below, the invention is explained further with reference to example embodiments illustrated in the figures, which show: 
           [0048]      FIG. 1 : A sectioned view of a first anti-corrosion agent container; 
           [0049]      FIG. 2 : A sectioned view of a second anti-corrosion agent container; 
           [0050]      FIG. 3 : The anti-corrosion agent container according to  FIG. 2 , viewed from above; 
           [0051]      FIG. 4 : A anti-corrosion agent container with two partial containers, viewed from above; 
           [0052]      FIG. 5 : A further anti-corrosion agent container with two partial containers, viewed from above; 
           [0053]      FIG. 6 : An anti-corrosion agent container with rounded corners; 
           [0054]      FIG. 7 : An anti-corrosion agent container with a round cross-section; 
           [0055]      FIG. 8 : A further anti-corrosion agent container with a round cross-section; 
           [0056]      FIG. 9 : A transmission with a cover; 
           [0057]      FIG. 10 : A cover. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0058]      FIG. 1  shows an anti-corrosion agent container  1  with a first chamber  2  and a second chamber  3 , wherein the first and second chambers  2 ,  3  are separated from one another by a partition wall  4 . In this case the first chamber  2  has a perforated wall  5  which, together with the sidewalls  6  and the partition wall  4 , delimit the inside space  7  of the first chamber  2 . 
         [0059]    In the inside space  7  of the first chamber  2  there is arranged an agent  8 , such as a solid, which releases a corrosion-inhibiting gas  9 . The gas  9  flows from the agent  8  into the inside space  7  and then through the perforated wall  5  to the surroundings  10 . 
         [0060]    The inside space of the second chamber  3  is partially delimited by the sidewalls  11  and the partition wall  4 . In this case the second chamber  3  is open at its end  13 . In the second chamber  3  is arranged an agent  14 , such as a solid, which for example supports the corrosion-inhibiting action of the gas  9 . The agent  14  can also release a corrosion-inhibiting gas and/or absorb a corrosion-promoting substance such as a liquid or moisture. The agent  14  can also be used for temperature stabilization, such as cooling. 
         [0061]    The sidewalls  6  and  11  and the partition wall  4  can consist of a plastic and/or a metal, in particular a metal such as aluminum, copper and/or steel. It is also conceivable that the sidewalls  6  and  11  and the partition wall  4  consist of different materials and/or a material mix. 
         [0062]    In particular, the perforated wall  5  is on the side away from the opening  13  so that the gas  9  is not influenced by the agent  14 . Furthermore, the perforated wall  5  is not adjacent to the partition wall  4 , so the perforated wall  5  is as far away as possible from the second chamber  3 . 
         [0063]      FIG. 2  shows a second embodiment of an anti-corrosion agent container  1 . In this case too the anti-corrosion agent container  1  has a first chamber  2  and a second chamber  3 . The inside space  7  of the first chamber  2  is delimited by the sidewalls  6 , the perforated wall  5  and the partition wall  4 . In the inside space  7  of the first chamber  2  is arranged a solid substance  8 . The agent  8  releases a fluid, such as a gas, which passes through the perforated wall  5  to the component to be protected against corrosion. 
         [0064]    The second chamber  3  has an inside space  12  in which an agent  14  is present. The inside space  12  of the second chamber  3  is enclosed by the perforated wall  15 , the sidewalls  11  and the partition wall  4 . In this case the perforated wall  15  is arranged opposite the perforated wall  5  of the first chamber  2 . The perforated wall  5  is delimited by the sidewalls  6 , whereas the perforated wall  15  is delimited by the sidewalls  11 . 
         [0065]    Due to the arrangement of the perforated wall  5  and the perforated wall  15 , the gas  9  produced by the substance  8  interacts only slightly or not at all with the agent  14 . The agent  14  can be such that any fluid and/or moisture present in the surroundings are absorbed by the agent  14 . 
         [0066]      FIG. 3  shows an anti-corrosion agent container  1  as viewed from above. Here a perforated wall  5  can be seen, through which a corrosion-protecting gas  9  can flow. The anti-corrosion agent container is delimited laterally by the sidewalls  6  an  11 . The sidewalls  6  and  11  can be made in one piece. 
         [0067]    The sidewalls and/or the perforated wall can be connected to the anti-corrosion agent container detachably or they may have an opening that can be closed, so that various agents  8 ,  14  can be introduced into the anti-corrosion agent container  1 . 
         [0068]    The walls can also be permanently closed so that the agents  8 ,  14  are permanently surrounded by the anti-corrosion agent container  1 . 
         [0069]    The sidewalls  11  end at the perforated wall  15 , which cannot be seen in  FIG. 3 . In this case the sidewalls  11  are longer than the perforated wall  5 , in order to maintain a larger distance between the perforated wall  15  and the perforated wall  5 . 
         [0070]      FIG. 4  shows an anti-corrosion agent container  1  that comprises a first partial container  16  and a second partial container  17   
         [0071]    The first partial container  16  has a perforated wall  5  through which a corrosion-protecting gas can flow. Delimiting the perforated wall  5  are arranged sidewalls  6 , which are in particular perpendicular to the perforated wall  5 . Opposite the perforated wall  5  and at the end of the sidewalls  6  is a partition wall  4 , so that the inside space of the partial container  16  is delimited by the perforated wall  5 , the sidewalls  6  and the partition wall  4 . 
         [0072]    In this case the perforated wall  5  can have one or more openings  18  through which a gas  9  can flow. It is also possible for the perforated wall  5  to be in the form of a permeable membrane through which again a gas can pass. 
         [0073]    In the first partial container  16  an agent  8  such as a solid or a liquid can be placed. The agent  8  can release a corrosion-protecting gas and/or a corrosion-protecting liquid. The gas  9  and/or liquid flow through the perforated wall  5  into the surroundings  10 . It is also possible for the agent  8  to extract constituents such as liquid or moisture from the surroundings  10  and/or to influence the surroundings outside the anti-corrosion agent container in some other way. 
         [0074]    Close to and/or a distance away from the first partial container  16  is arranged a second partial container  17 . In this case the second partial container  17  is identical to the first partial container  16 . The two partial containers  16  and  17  are so positioned that their respective perforated walls  5  and  15  face away from one another. 
         [0075]    The respective partition walls  4  face toward one another. In this case, if the length of the partial containers is sufficient there is no need for the partial containers  16  and  17  to be spaced any distance apart Rather, by virtue of the distance between the perforated walls  5  and  15  an effect on one agent  8  by the other agent  14  can be excluded or reduced. In  FIG. 4  the agent  14  is out of sight inside the partial container  17  and cannot be seen in the figure. 
         [0076]      FIG. 5  shows a further arrangement of the anti-corrosion agent container  1  in which the anti-corrosion agent container  1  has a partial container  16  and a partial container  17 . The partial container  16  is a distance away from the partial container  17 . In this case the perforated wall  5  is facing in the same direction as the perforated wall  15  of the partial container  17 . Since owing to the distance between the two partial containers  16  and  17  the effects upon one another of the two agents  8  and  14  present in the respective partial containers  16  and  17  can be reduced, the direction of the perforated walls  5  and  15  can be chosen arbitrarily. 
         [0077]      FIG. 6  shows another anti-corrosion agent container  1 , in which the edges of the sidewalls  6 ,  11  are rounded. This prevents damage by the edges to components that are to be protected against corrosion. The edges between the perforated wall  5  and the sidewalls  6  and  11  can also be rounded. 
         [0078]    In addition,  FIG. 7  shows an anti-corrosion agent container  1  with a round cross-section. Owing to the round cross-section there are no edges at all, so damage to the components to be protected can be avoided. 
         [0079]      FIG. 8  shows a further anti-corrosion agent container  1 , in which the perforated wall  5  is arranged on the long sides of the anti-corrosion agent container  1 . The end face  21  of the anti-corrosion agent container is in this case impermeable. 
         [0080]      FIG. 9  shows a transmission  22  with a drive input shaft  23  and a drive output shaft  24 . Between the drive input shaft  23  and the drive output shaft  24  there is a gear system that converts the rotational movement of the drive input shaft  23  into rotational movement of the drive output shaft  24  in such manner that the rotational speeds of the drive output shaft  24  and the drive input shaft  23  are different. 
         [0081]    The transmission  22  also has a housing  25 . On the housing  25  there is a cover  26  connected detachably to the housing  25 , the cover  26  covering an opening to the inside of the housing  25 . 
         [0082]    Thus, by removing the cover  26  the opening to the inside of the housing  25  can be uncovered, allowing the anti-corrosion agent container  1  to be inserted into the inside space of the housing  25 . When the transmission  22  is to be operated, the cover  26  is removed from the housing  25  and the anti-corrosion agent container  1  is taken out of the housing  25 . 
         [0083]      FIG. 10  shows a cover  26  on which an anti-corrosion agent container  1  is arranged. The cover  26  can be connected detachably to the transmission housing  25  so that when the cover is fitted the anti-corrosion agent container  1  projects into the inside space of the transmission housing  25 , so providing corrosion protection for the transmission. 
         [0084]    When the transmission  22  is to be operated, the cover  26  is removed from the transmission housing so that the anti-corrosion agent container  1  is also taken out of the inside of the transmission housing  25 . The anti-corrosion agent container  1  can then be taken off the cover and the cover re-attached to a transmission housing, for example bolted onto it, or the transmission housing can be closed by fitting a different cover without the anti-corrosion agent container  1 . 
       LIST OF INDEXES 
       [0000]    
       
           1  Anti-corrosion agent container 
           2  First chamber 
           3  Second chamber 
           4  Partition wall 
           5  Perforated wall 
           6  Sidewall 
           7  Inside space of the first chamber  2   
           8  Agent 
           9  Gas 
           10  Surroundings 
           11  Sidewall 
           12  Inside space of the second chamber  3   
           13  Opening 
           14  Agent 
           15  Perforated wall 
           16  First partial container 
           17  Second partial container 
           18  Opening 
           21  End face 
           22  Transmission 
           23  Drive input shaft 
           24  Drive output shaft 
           25  Housing 
           26  Cover