Switchover device for a thick-matter pump

Abstract

A switch-over apparatus for a thick-matter pump includes a housing that forms a pre-fill vessel, which has first and second inlet/outlet openings and an outlet opening positioned on opposite sides of the housing. The apparatus further includes a pivot body positioned within the housing and that forms a duct. The duct includes a duct inlet configured to pivot between the first and second inlet/outlet openings and includes a duct outlet configured to align with outlet opening. The pivot body forms at least one seal chamber adjacent the duct inlet or duct outlet. The apparatus further includes an elastic seal positioned within the seal chamber and includes a support strip positioned within the seal chamber between the elastic seal and the pivot body. The seal strip forms first and second oblique-cut ends.

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A switch-over apparatus for a thick-matter pump, the apparatus comprising:
 a housing forming a pre-fill vessel having a first and second inlet/outlet opening and an outlet opening positioned on opposite sides of the housing;   a pivot body positioned within the housing and forming a duct, the duct including a duct inlet configured to pivot between the first and second inlet/outlet openings and including a duct outlet configured to align with outlet opening, wherein the pivot body forms at least one seal chamber adjacent the duct inlet or duct outlet;   an elastic seal positioned within the seal chamber; and   a support strip positioned within the seal chamber between the elastic seal and the pivot body, wherein the seal strip forms first and second oblique-cut ends.   
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the support strip comprises an elastic plastic having a hardness higher than a hardness of the elastic seal. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 14 , wherein the support strip comprises Teflon. 
     
     
         16 . The apparatus of  claim 15 , wherein the support strip comprises bronze. 
     
     
         17 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the first oblique-cut end forms a first face that faces a second face formed by the second oblique-cut end. 
     
     
         18 . The apparatus of  claim 17 , wherein a distance between the first and second face less than 1 mm. 
     
     
         19 . The apparatus of  claim 18 , wherein the support strip has a thickness of 1-3.5 mm. 
     
     
         20 . The apparatus of  claim 19 , wherein the thickness is 2.5 mm. 
     
     
         21 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , further comprising:
 a metal ring at least partially positioned within the seal chamber, wherein the elastic seal is directly coupled to the metal ring, pivot body, and support strip.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the metal ring includes a bottom surface in direct contact with a wear plate. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the bottom surface of the metal ring comprises a hard-metal coating. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 23 , wherein the hard-metal coating has a hardness greater than a hardness of the housing. 
     
     
         25 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the elastic seal is kidney-shaped. 
     
     
         26 . The apparatus of  claim 22 , wherein the metal ring includes a side surface facing the pivot body and wherein the pivot body and metal ring form a gap adjacent the side surface. 
     
     
         27 . The apparatus of  claim 24 , wherein the support strip is configured and arranged to prevent the elastic seal from migrating into the gap. 
     
     
         28 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the pivot body forms two seal chambers, each chamber having an elastic seal and support strip positioned therein, wherein the support strips each form first and second oblique-cut ends.