Grinder for flanges

Abstract

A grinding machine for grinding and polishing sealing surfaces in sealing grooves on flanges, comprising a frame adapted to be clamped onto the flange, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of slots running radially outward, each slot of the frame comprises a displaceable fastening device which runs through the frame and which is adapted to be clamped against a rear side of the flange. A rotatable grinding wheel is centrally mounted in the frame, wherein the grinding wheel comprises a plurality of slots running radially outward, each slot of the grinding wheel comprising a displaceable grinding head having a profile adapted for insertion into the sealing groove of the flange, and a drive motor for rotating the grinding wheel. The grinding heads are adapted to rotate against the sealing surfaces in the sealing groove during application of axial pressure.

1 . A grinding machine for grinding and polishing sealing surfaces in sealing grooves on flanges, comprising:
 a frame adapted to be clamped onto the flange, wherein the frame comprises a plurality of slots extending radially outward, each slot of the frame comprising a displaceable fastening device extending through the frame and adapted to be clamped against a rear side of the flange,   a rotatable grinding wheel centrally mounted in the frame, wherein the grinding wheel comprises a plurality of slots extending radially outward, wherein each slot of the grinding wheel comprises a displaceable grinding head having a profile adapted for insertion into the sealing groove on the flange, and   a drive motor for rotating the grinding wheel,   wherein the grinding heads are adapted to rotate against the sealing surfaces in the sealing groove during application of axial pressure.   
     
     
         2 . The grinding machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the frame comprises four arms, each with its own slot. 
     
     
         3 . The grinding machine according to  claim 1 , wherein at least the frame is made of aluminum. 
     
     
         4 . The grinding machine according to  claim 1 , wherein each fastening device comprises a rod in the form of a screw that is threaded over all or part of its length, an adjustable contact plate on the screw for adjusting axial distance to the flange, and nuts for clamping the grinding machine to the flange. 
     
     
         5 . The grinding machine according to  claim 4 , wherein said nuts are thumb nuts attached to each end of the screw for manual tightening. 
     
     
         6 . The grinding machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the grinding wheel is mounted on a shaft, wherein the shaft is configured as a pneumatic piston arranged to apply axial pressure to press the grinding heads of the grinding wheel against the sealing surfaces in the sealing groove on the flange. 
     
     
         7 . The grinding machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the shaft is connected to a pressure regulator mounted in a control panel. 
     
     
         8 . The grinding machine according to  claim 6 , wherein the grinding wheel is attached to the shaft by a profiled magnetic attachment. 
     
     
         9 . The grinding machine according to  claim 1 , wherein the drive motor is an air-driven motor connected to a toothed belt for driving the grinding wheel. 
     
     
         10 . The grinding machine according to  claim 2 , wherein the drive motor is mounted on one of the arms of the frame and is connected to a first drive on the arm that drives the toothed belt and transmits the power to a second drive on the shaft of the grinding wheel. 
     
     
         11 . The grinding machine according to  claim 10 , wherein the toothed belt system is enclosed on the arm of the frame and is covered by a cover. 
     
     
         12 . The grinding machine according to  claim 11 , wherein the cover comprises a slot corresponding to the slot on the frame for the passage of a fastening device. 
     
     
         13 . The grinding machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said grinding heads have a trapezoidal profile and are covered with an abrasive cloth that cleans/grinds the sealing surface. 
     
     
         14 . The grinding machine according to  claim 13 , wherein the abrasive cloth is a synthetic cloth comprising grains of aluminum oxide. 
     
     
         15 . The grinding machine according to  claim 1 , wherein said grinding heads are freely movable in the radial slots of the grinding plate and are arranged to follow the sealing groove on the flange.