CA2044128C - Conductor guide forming machine - Google Patents
Conductor guide forming machineInfo
- Publication number
- CA2044128C CA2044128C CA002044128A CA2044128A CA2044128C CA 2044128 C CA2044128 C CA 2044128C CA 002044128 A CA002044128 A CA 002044128A CA 2044128 A CA2044128 A CA 2044128A CA 2044128 C CA2044128 C CA 2044128C
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- forming
- tool
- pipe
- conductor guide
- forming tool
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Expired - Fee Related
Links
- 239000004020 conductor Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 56
- 238000010438 heat treatment Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 25
- 230000006698 induction Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000000750 progressive effect Effects 0.000 claims 1
- 238000005553 drilling Methods 0.000 description 6
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 6
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 5
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000003825 pressing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000003466 welding Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000006835 compression Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007906 compression Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- E—FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
- E21—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; MINING
- E21B—EARTH OR ROCK DRILLING; OBTAINING OIL, GAS, WATER, SOLUBLE OR MELTABLE MATERIALS OR A SLURRY OF MINERALS FROM WELLS
- E21B7/00—Special methods or apparatus for drilling
- E21B7/12—Underwater drilling
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D—WORKING OR PROCESSING OF SHEET METAL OR METAL TUBES, RODS OR PROFILES WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
- B21D41/00—Application of procedures in order to alter the diameter of tube ends
- B21D41/02—Enlarging
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Geology (AREA)
- Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Mining & Mineral Resources (AREA)
- Geochemistry & Mineralogy (AREA)
- Fluid Mechanics (AREA)
- Environmental & Geological Engineering (AREA)
- General Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- General Induction Heating (AREA)
- Forging (AREA)
- Earth Drilling (AREA)
- Shaping Of Tube Ends By Bending Or Straightening (AREA)
- Diaphragms For Electromechanical Transducers (AREA)
- Vending Machines For Individual Products (AREA)
- Telephone Function (AREA)
Abstract
A conductor guide forming machine that flares the end of a pipe outwardly to form a conductor guide. A heating device movably mounted on a base causes induction heating of the end of the pipe to be flared outwardly. A tool carriage having a forming tool rotatably mounted thereon is moved by a hydraulic cylinder mounted on the base and attached to the tool carriage to insert angled rollers on the forming tool into and against the end of the pipe to be flared. A drive motor mounted on the tool carriage rotates the forming tool simultaneously with movement of the rollers into the pipe to flare the end.
Description
2044 ~ 28 CASE 5080 C~hu~ ~ G~IDE FORNING ~UTN~
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention is generally related to the S fabrication of offshore jackets used in the drilling industry and in particular to the formation of conductor guides for offshore jackets.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention The present invention is generally related to the S fabrication of offshore jackets used in the drilling industry and in particular to the formation of conductor guides for offshore jackets.
2. General Background In the offshore drilling industry a structure commonly referred to as a jacket is used to support a platform on which the drilling equipment, associated equipment, and living and working quarters are placed. The jacket is usually formed by at least four legs connected together by a framework of horizontal and diagonal support members such that the base of the structure that rests on the sea bottom is wider than the top of the structure that extends above the normal water level. A jacket and platform may accommodate equipment for drilling one or more wells. When drilling, the drill string for a well extends through the structure between the legs and into the sea bed.
When lowering the drill bit to begin drilling-and during drilling operations it is nec~ss~ry to guide and support the drill bit and drill string against wave action and currents normally encountered in open water. This is accomplished by the use of conductors extending vertically along the length of the structure. Conductor guides are used to guide the conductor into place in the jacket. Conductor guides are formed from hollow tubular steel having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the conductor guide. The upper portion of the conductor guide is preferably formed in a cone shape with its upper edge having a larger inner diameter than the lower tubular portion of the conductor guide. This flared shape that extends upward and outward allows for a greater margin of error when lowering the conductor. Dep~n~;ng on water depth and the number of wells, one hundred or more conductor guides may be required on the structure.
Conductor guides have normally been manufactured in two ways, by segment fabrication or pressing. Segment fabrication is accomplished by cutting three separate metal pieces out to size and then forming them into the proper cone shape one at a time by the use of a press. The three pieces are then welded to the conductor guides tubular portion to form the cone-shaped part of the guide. Pressing is performed by heating the tubular section in an oven and then moving it into a press where a tool and die are used to form the guide. During this operation, forces of between two thousand to three thousand tons may be required.
Both methods are time consuming, labor intensive, and require extra materials and tooling to form conductors in a variety of sizes. Segment fabrication commonly requires as much as twenty man-hours of work per conductor. The use of a press is limited to certain cone sizes due to wrinkling of the cone. A press must also be permanently installed and supported by a proper foundation since such equipment may weigh as much as three hundred tons.
It can be seen from the above that there exists a need for a device capable of forming conductor guides that can accommodate a 2~4~8 variety of cone angles and sizes, that does not require permanent installation, and that reduces the time, labor, and materials required in manufacturing conductor guides.
SUMMARY OF THE lNv~NllON
The present invention addresses the aforementioned problem in a straightforward manner. What is provided is a conductor guide forming machine having a base and a tool carriage movably mounted on the base. A forming tool rotatably mounted on the tool carriage is attached to drive motors by a spindle. A
heating device movably mounted on the base is used to heat the end of the pipe to be formed into the cone-shaped conductor guide. After the pipe is heated to the desired temperature the drive motors are actuated to cause rotation of the forming tool.
A hydraulic cylinder attached to the base is then used to cause the tool carriage to move on the base toward the pipe. A pair of rollers rotatably mounted on the forming tool contact the inside of the pipe and cause the heated end of the pipe to flare outwardly as the tool carriage and forming tool continue moving in the direction of the pipe. A second set of rollers may be used to contact and compress the edge of the flared end to compensate for the minimal thinning of the pipe wall that occurs during forming. After the formed pipe has been cooled, it is removed from the machine and another section of pipe is put into position for forming. The forming tool is water cooled to prevent damage to the bearings and rollers during the forming process when it is in contact with the pipe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a further underst~n~ing of the nature and objects of the present invention reference should be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are given like reference numerals and, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a side view of the invention.
Fig. 2 is a detail view of the forming tool before it has contacted the pipe end to be flared.
10Fig. 3 is a detail view of the forming tool after it has contacted and flared the pipe end.
DE~ATT~n DESCRIPTION OF ~ln~ ~n~KK~ EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, it is seen that the invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10. Conductor guide forming 15machine 10 is generally comprised of base 12, tool carriage 14, forming tool 16, means 18 for driving forming tool 16, means 20 for moving tool carriage 14 along base 12, and heating device 22.
Base 12 is formed from four support members 24 of which two are shown in Fig. 1. Each support member 24 is attached at each end to first and second plates 26, 28 by any suitable means such as welding to form a substantially rectangular frame. As seen in Fig. 1, plates 26, 28 rest on their edges so that support members 24 are horizontal. Support members 24 are tubular shaped in the preferred embodiment but may be of any suitable shape such as in the form of I-beams.
Tool carriage 14 is formed from four hollow support legs 30 having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of support members 24 of base 12. This allows sliding movement of 2 ~ 8 tool carriage 14 on base 12 between a first retracted position and a second conductor guide forming position. The first retracted position is illustrated in Fig. 2 while the second guide forming position is illustrated in Fig. 1 and 3. For ease of movement, wheels may be attached to support legs 30 so that tool carriage 14 is rollably supported on base 12. Vertical plates 32, 34, 36 are rigidly attached between support legs 30 by any suitable means such as welding. First and second vertical plates 32, 34 extend across the width of tool carriage 14 and third vertical plate 36 extends along the longitudinal axis thereof and is rigidly attached to second plate 34 and support legs 30.
Forming tool 16 is carried by tool carriage 14 and is rotatably mounted on first vertical plate 32. Forming tool 16 is formed from a substantially circular plate 38, conical guide forming rollers 40, and edge forming rollers 42. As seen in Fig.
2 and 3, rollers 40, 42 are rotatably mounted on framework 44 that is rigidly attached to circular plate 38. Framework 44 positions guide forming rollers 40 at approximately a forty-five degree angle to circular plate 38 such that the leading edges of rollers 40 extend into conductor guide 46 to flare out the edge thereof and form cone portion 48 as seen in Fig. 3 as tool carriage 14 and forming tool 16 are moved into the second conductor guide forming position. Guide forming rollers 40 are preferably conical in shape as seen in the drawings. The conical shape is preferred because it results in the velocity of the roller at the inside edge of the flared portion of the conductor guide being equal to the velocity of the roller at the outside `` 20~1!28 edge of the flared portion of the conductor guide. This minimizes friction and prevents skidding of the rollers on the formula pipe which would cause galling of the pipe. The conical shape of rollers 40 may be determined by the formul ~ ~ r1where R1 = the radius of the inside edge of the flared portion of the conductor guide, R2 = the radius of the outer edge of the flared poriton of the conductor guide, r1 = the radius of the roller at its point of contact with the inside edge of the flared portion, and r2 = the radius of the roller at its point of contact with the outer edge of the flared portion. Although rollers of a non-conical shape can be used, this requires more power and results in increased wear of the rollers. Edge forming rollers 42 contact the outer edge of cone portion 48 to slightly compress it. This counteracts the minimal thinning of the wall that occurs at the outermost edge.
Means 18 for driving forming tool 16 is provided in the form of electric motor 50 and spindle or drive shaft 52. As seen in Fig. 1, electric motor 50 is mounted on horizontal plate 54 extending from third vertical plate 36. Electric motor 50 is operatively engaged with forming tool 16 by means of drive shaft 52 that is supported by bearings 56 adjacent plates 32 and 34.
Means 20 for moving tool carriage 14 between its first and second positions is provided in the preferred embodiment in the form of hydraulic cylinder 58 mounted on base 12 and attached to tool carriage 14. Hydraulic fluid is supplied to hydraulic cylinder 58 from a source not shown through hydraulic fluid lines 60.
2 ~ 8 In the preferred embodiment, heating device 22 is an induction heating device that causes heating of conductor guide 46 without touching it. An electric current directed through the electrical coil in heating device 22 via power lines 62 results in the generation of a magnetic field around the coil. The magnetic field induces an electric current in conductor guide 46 that generates heat due to the high resistance in the steel pipe that conductor guide 46 is formed from. The design of heating device 22 provides a specific heat pattern for ease of forming where the end of the conductor guide to be flared is the hottest.
In the preferred embodiment, the heating pattern is as follows.
Approximately four and one-half inches of the conductor guide inward from the end being flared are heated to approximately 2300 degrees F. Approximately the next five and one-half inches are heated to about 1800 degrees F. Approximately the next one inch is heated to about 1400 degrees F. Approximately the next one inch is heated to about 500 degrees F. The flaring takes place in the first ten and one-half inches heated.
As seen in Fig. 1, second plate 28 is provided with an aperture that allows the passage of pipe therethrough and through the open center of heating device 22. Clamp 64, which may be attached to second plate 28 or a separate piece of equipment is used to hold the pipe in position during forming operations.
In operation, a section of pipe that will be used as conductor guide 46 is held rigidly in position by clamp 64 such that it extends through second plate 28 and heating device 22.
Heating device 22 is rolled into position on movable platform 66 on lower support members 24 and is then used to cause induction ~04~28 heating of the end of conductor guide 46 to approximately 2300 degrees Fahrenheit. For a conductor guide that is formed from one half inch steel and has an outer diameter of twenty-eight inches, this heating takes approximately four minutes. When the desired temperature and heat pattern has been reached, electric motor 50 is actuated to cause rotation of forming tool 16.
Hydraulic cylinder 58 is then actuated to cause tool carriage 14 and forming tool 16, electric motor 50, and drive shaft 52 to move from their first retracted position away from conductor guide 46 toward conductor guide 46. Guide forming rollers 40 contact the inner surface of conductor guide 46 as they move forward toward the conductor guide and cause the heated end of conductor guide 46 to flare outwardly to form cone portion 48 of conductor guide 46. Edge forming rollers 42 contact the edge of cone portion 48 and cause slight compression of the edge radially inward along the same axis as the flare to compensate for the minimal thinning that occurs during the forming process. The forming process takes approximately five seconds with the heated end portion of conductor guide 46 being in a plastic state and approximately forty tons of pressure provided by hydraulic cylinder 58. In the preferred embodiment, forming tool 16 is rotated at approximately 550 RPM. Rollers 40 and 42, being of smaller diameter relative to the inside of conductor guide 46, rotate at approximately 2500 RPM. In the preferred embodiment, heat shield 68 is positioned on framework 44 so as to extend in front of rollers 40, 42 to help protect their bearings from the heat. The bearings for rollers 40, 42 may also be water cooled.
After forming, the pressure from hydraulic cylinder 58 is 2~44~28 _g_ reversed to move tool carriage 14 back to its first retracted position so that forming tool 16 does not stay in contact with the hot conductor guide 46. After cooling, which may be accomplished by running water over conductor guide 46 and cone portion 48, conductor guide 46 is cut at the appropriate length away from cone portion 48. This completed and combined one-piece conductor guide is removed, clamp 64 is loosened, an appropriate length of conductor guide pipe is moved into position, and the process is repeated. During the forming operation, rod 70 mounted on tool carriage 14 contacts heating device 22 and causes it to move away from the end of the conductor being flared to prevent interference between heating device 22, the flared end, and forming tool 16. The angular position of rollers 40 and 42 allows operation for forming conductor guides in a variety of sizes without altering the equipment. Although only one drive motor is illustrated, two drive motors connected to the drive shaft by drive belts or chains may also be used.
Because many varying and differing embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
When lowering the drill bit to begin drilling-and during drilling operations it is nec~ss~ry to guide and support the drill bit and drill string against wave action and currents normally encountered in open water. This is accomplished by the use of conductors extending vertically along the length of the structure. Conductor guides are used to guide the conductor into place in the jacket. Conductor guides are formed from hollow tubular steel having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of the conductor guide. The upper portion of the conductor guide is preferably formed in a cone shape with its upper edge having a larger inner diameter than the lower tubular portion of the conductor guide. This flared shape that extends upward and outward allows for a greater margin of error when lowering the conductor. Dep~n~;ng on water depth and the number of wells, one hundred or more conductor guides may be required on the structure.
Conductor guides have normally been manufactured in two ways, by segment fabrication or pressing. Segment fabrication is accomplished by cutting three separate metal pieces out to size and then forming them into the proper cone shape one at a time by the use of a press. The three pieces are then welded to the conductor guides tubular portion to form the cone-shaped part of the guide. Pressing is performed by heating the tubular section in an oven and then moving it into a press where a tool and die are used to form the guide. During this operation, forces of between two thousand to three thousand tons may be required.
Both methods are time consuming, labor intensive, and require extra materials and tooling to form conductors in a variety of sizes. Segment fabrication commonly requires as much as twenty man-hours of work per conductor. The use of a press is limited to certain cone sizes due to wrinkling of the cone. A press must also be permanently installed and supported by a proper foundation since such equipment may weigh as much as three hundred tons.
It can be seen from the above that there exists a need for a device capable of forming conductor guides that can accommodate a 2~4~8 variety of cone angles and sizes, that does not require permanent installation, and that reduces the time, labor, and materials required in manufacturing conductor guides.
SUMMARY OF THE lNv~NllON
The present invention addresses the aforementioned problem in a straightforward manner. What is provided is a conductor guide forming machine having a base and a tool carriage movably mounted on the base. A forming tool rotatably mounted on the tool carriage is attached to drive motors by a spindle. A
heating device movably mounted on the base is used to heat the end of the pipe to be formed into the cone-shaped conductor guide. After the pipe is heated to the desired temperature the drive motors are actuated to cause rotation of the forming tool.
A hydraulic cylinder attached to the base is then used to cause the tool carriage to move on the base toward the pipe. A pair of rollers rotatably mounted on the forming tool contact the inside of the pipe and cause the heated end of the pipe to flare outwardly as the tool carriage and forming tool continue moving in the direction of the pipe. A second set of rollers may be used to contact and compress the edge of the flared end to compensate for the minimal thinning of the pipe wall that occurs during forming. After the formed pipe has been cooled, it is removed from the machine and another section of pipe is put into position for forming. The forming tool is water cooled to prevent damage to the bearings and rollers during the forming process when it is in contact with the pipe.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a further underst~n~ing of the nature and objects of the present invention reference should be had to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like parts are given like reference numerals and, wherein:
Fig. 1 is a side view of the invention.
Fig. 2 is a detail view of the forming tool before it has contacted the pipe end to be flared.
10Fig. 3 is a detail view of the forming tool after it has contacted and flared the pipe end.
DE~ATT~n DESCRIPTION OF ~ln~ ~n~KK~ EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, it is seen that the invention is generally indicated by the numeral 10. Conductor guide forming 15machine 10 is generally comprised of base 12, tool carriage 14, forming tool 16, means 18 for driving forming tool 16, means 20 for moving tool carriage 14 along base 12, and heating device 22.
Base 12 is formed from four support members 24 of which two are shown in Fig. 1. Each support member 24 is attached at each end to first and second plates 26, 28 by any suitable means such as welding to form a substantially rectangular frame. As seen in Fig. 1, plates 26, 28 rest on their edges so that support members 24 are horizontal. Support members 24 are tubular shaped in the preferred embodiment but may be of any suitable shape such as in the form of I-beams.
Tool carriage 14 is formed from four hollow support legs 30 having an inner diameter larger than the outer diameter of support members 24 of base 12. This allows sliding movement of 2 ~ 8 tool carriage 14 on base 12 between a first retracted position and a second conductor guide forming position. The first retracted position is illustrated in Fig. 2 while the second guide forming position is illustrated in Fig. 1 and 3. For ease of movement, wheels may be attached to support legs 30 so that tool carriage 14 is rollably supported on base 12. Vertical plates 32, 34, 36 are rigidly attached between support legs 30 by any suitable means such as welding. First and second vertical plates 32, 34 extend across the width of tool carriage 14 and third vertical plate 36 extends along the longitudinal axis thereof and is rigidly attached to second plate 34 and support legs 30.
Forming tool 16 is carried by tool carriage 14 and is rotatably mounted on first vertical plate 32. Forming tool 16 is formed from a substantially circular plate 38, conical guide forming rollers 40, and edge forming rollers 42. As seen in Fig.
2 and 3, rollers 40, 42 are rotatably mounted on framework 44 that is rigidly attached to circular plate 38. Framework 44 positions guide forming rollers 40 at approximately a forty-five degree angle to circular plate 38 such that the leading edges of rollers 40 extend into conductor guide 46 to flare out the edge thereof and form cone portion 48 as seen in Fig. 3 as tool carriage 14 and forming tool 16 are moved into the second conductor guide forming position. Guide forming rollers 40 are preferably conical in shape as seen in the drawings. The conical shape is preferred because it results in the velocity of the roller at the inside edge of the flared portion of the conductor guide being equal to the velocity of the roller at the outside `` 20~1!28 edge of the flared portion of the conductor guide. This minimizes friction and prevents skidding of the rollers on the formula pipe which would cause galling of the pipe. The conical shape of rollers 40 may be determined by the formul ~ ~ r1where R1 = the radius of the inside edge of the flared portion of the conductor guide, R2 = the radius of the outer edge of the flared poriton of the conductor guide, r1 = the radius of the roller at its point of contact with the inside edge of the flared portion, and r2 = the radius of the roller at its point of contact with the outer edge of the flared portion. Although rollers of a non-conical shape can be used, this requires more power and results in increased wear of the rollers. Edge forming rollers 42 contact the outer edge of cone portion 48 to slightly compress it. This counteracts the minimal thinning of the wall that occurs at the outermost edge.
Means 18 for driving forming tool 16 is provided in the form of electric motor 50 and spindle or drive shaft 52. As seen in Fig. 1, electric motor 50 is mounted on horizontal plate 54 extending from third vertical plate 36. Electric motor 50 is operatively engaged with forming tool 16 by means of drive shaft 52 that is supported by bearings 56 adjacent plates 32 and 34.
Means 20 for moving tool carriage 14 between its first and second positions is provided in the preferred embodiment in the form of hydraulic cylinder 58 mounted on base 12 and attached to tool carriage 14. Hydraulic fluid is supplied to hydraulic cylinder 58 from a source not shown through hydraulic fluid lines 60.
2 ~ 8 In the preferred embodiment, heating device 22 is an induction heating device that causes heating of conductor guide 46 without touching it. An electric current directed through the electrical coil in heating device 22 via power lines 62 results in the generation of a magnetic field around the coil. The magnetic field induces an electric current in conductor guide 46 that generates heat due to the high resistance in the steel pipe that conductor guide 46 is formed from. The design of heating device 22 provides a specific heat pattern for ease of forming where the end of the conductor guide to be flared is the hottest.
In the preferred embodiment, the heating pattern is as follows.
Approximately four and one-half inches of the conductor guide inward from the end being flared are heated to approximately 2300 degrees F. Approximately the next five and one-half inches are heated to about 1800 degrees F. Approximately the next one inch is heated to about 1400 degrees F. Approximately the next one inch is heated to about 500 degrees F. The flaring takes place in the first ten and one-half inches heated.
As seen in Fig. 1, second plate 28 is provided with an aperture that allows the passage of pipe therethrough and through the open center of heating device 22. Clamp 64, which may be attached to second plate 28 or a separate piece of equipment is used to hold the pipe in position during forming operations.
In operation, a section of pipe that will be used as conductor guide 46 is held rigidly in position by clamp 64 such that it extends through second plate 28 and heating device 22.
Heating device 22 is rolled into position on movable platform 66 on lower support members 24 and is then used to cause induction ~04~28 heating of the end of conductor guide 46 to approximately 2300 degrees Fahrenheit. For a conductor guide that is formed from one half inch steel and has an outer diameter of twenty-eight inches, this heating takes approximately four minutes. When the desired temperature and heat pattern has been reached, electric motor 50 is actuated to cause rotation of forming tool 16.
Hydraulic cylinder 58 is then actuated to cause tool carriage 14 and forming tool 16, electric motor 50, and drive shaft 52 to move from their first retracted position away from conductor guide 46 toward conductor guide 46. Guide forming rollers 40 contact the inner surface of conductor guide 46 as they move forward toward the conductor guide and cause the heated end of conductor guide 46 to flare outwardly to form cone portion 48 of conductor guide 46. Edge forming rollers 42 contact the edge of cone portion 48 and cause slight compression of the edge radially inward along the same axis as the flare to compensate for the minimal thinning that occurs during the forming process. The forming process takes approximately five seconds with the heated end portion of conductor guide 46 being in a plastic state and approximately forty tons of pressure provided by hydraulic cylinder 58. In the preferred embodiment, forming tool 16 is rotated at approximately 550 RPM. Rollers 40 and 42, being of smaller diameter relative to the inside of conductor guide 46, rotate at approximately 2500 RPM. In the preferred embodiment, heat shield 68 is positioned on framework 44 so as to extend in front of rollers 40, 42 to help protect their bearings from the heat. The bearings for rollers 40, 42 may also be water cooled.
After forming, the pressure from hydraulic cylinder 58 is 2~44~28 _g_ reversed to move tool carriage 14 back to its first retracted position so that forming tool 16 does not stay in contact with the hot conductor guide 46. After cooling, which may be accomplished by running water over conductor guide 46 and cone portion 48, conductor guide 46 is cut at the appropriate length away from cone portion 48. This completed and combined one-piece conductor guide is removed, clamp 64 is loosened, an appropriate length of conductor guide pipe is moved into position, and the process is repeated. During the forming operation, rod 70 mounted on tool carriage 14 contacts heating device 22 and causes it to move away from the end of the conductor being flared to prevent interference between heating device 22, the flared end, and forming tool 16. The angular position of rollers 40 and 42 allows operation for forming conductor guides in a variety of sizes without altering the equipment. Although only one drive motor is illustrated, two drive motors connected to the drive shaft by drive belts or chains may also be used.
Because many varying and differing embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concept herein taught and because many modifications may be made in the embodiment herein detailed in accordance with the descriptive requirement of the law, it is to be understood that the details herein are to be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.
Claims (4)
1. A conductor guide forming machine, comprising:
(a) a base formed from four horizontal support members attached at each end to first and second plates to define a substantially rectangular frame;
(b) a tool carriage mounted on said base so as to be movable between a first retracted position and a second conductor guide forming position;
(c) a forming tool rotatably mounted on said tool carriage comprising a substantially circular plate having conical guide forming rollers rotatably attached thereto at an angle between zero and ninety degrees relative to the circular plate and said conical guide forming rollers tapering inwardly to a narrower diameter away from the circular plate;
(d) means mounted on said tool carriage for rotating said forming tools;
(e) a hydraulic cylinder mounted on said base and attached to said tool carriage for moving said tool carriage between said first and second positions; and (f) an induction heating device movably mounted on said base for heating the conductor guide in a pattern of progressively higher temperatures toward one end while said induction heating device remains in a stationary position.
(a) a base formed from four horizontal support members attached at each end to first and second plates to define a substantially rectangular frame;
(b) a tool carriage mounted on said base so as to be movable between a first retracted position and a second conductor guide forming position;
(c) a forming tool rotatably mounted on said tool carriage comprising a substantially circular plate having conical guide forming rollers rotatably attached thereto at an angle between zero and ninety degrees relative to the circular plate and said conical guide forming rollers tapering inwardly to a narrower diameter away from the circular plate;
(d) means mounted on said tool carriage for rotating said forming tools;
(e) a hydraulic cylinder mounted on said base and attached to said tool carriage for moving said tool carriage between said first and second positions; and (f) an induction heating device movably mounted on said base for heating the conductor guide in a pattern of progressively higher temperatures toward one end while said induction heating device remains in a stationary position.
2. The machine of claim 1, wherein said means for rotating said forming tool comprises an electric motor operatively engaged with said forming tool.
3. The machine of claim 1, further comprising edge forming rollers rotatably attached to the circular plate of said forming tool.
4. A method for flaring the end of a pipe outwardly to form a conductor guide, comprising:
(a) heating a portion of the pipe to be flared with an induction heating device in a progressive pattern whereby the pipe is heated to progressively higher temperatures toward the end to be flared, said induction heating device remaining in a stationary position during heating of the pipe; and (b) inserting conical rollers rotatably mounted on a forming tool into and against the heated interior end of the pipe while simultaneously rotating the forming tool, said conical rollers tapering inwardly to a narrower diameter away from the forming tool.
(a) heating a portion of the pipe to be flared with an induction heating device in a progressive pattern whereby the pipe is heated to progressively higher temperatures toward the end to be flared, said induction heating device remaining in a stationary position during heating of the pipe; and (b) inserting conical rollers rotatably mounted on a forming tool into and against the heated interior end of the pipe while simultaneously rotating the forming tool, said conical rollers tapering inwardly to a narrower diameter away from the forming tool.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US53477190A | 1990-06-07 | 1990-06-07 | |
| US07/534,771 | 1990-06-07 |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2044128A1 CA2044128A1 (en) | 1991-12-08 |
| CA2044128C true CA2044128C (en) | 1995-10-10 |
Family
ID=24131469
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002044128A Expired - Fee Related CA2044128C (en) | 1990-06-07 | 1991-06-07 | Conductor guide forming machine |
Country Status (10)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| EP (1) | EP0462719B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPH07102416B2 (en) |
| KR (1) | KR950009761B1 (en) |
| AU (1) | AU629472B2 (en) |
| BR (1) | BR9102100A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2044128C (en) |
| ES (1) | ES2075353T3 (en) |
| MY (1) | MY111160A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO302309B1 (en) |
| SA (1) | SA91120222B1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (18)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR2715989B1 (en) * | 1994-02-04 | 1996-05-31 | Parker Hannifin Rak Sa | Connection device for one end of a rigid metal tube intended for the transport of a fluid. |
| JP2810847B2 (en) * | 1994-05-30 | 1998-10-15 | 株式会社サンエツ | Pipe boring machine |
| US5956987A (en) * | 1995-02-13 | 1999-09-28 | Parker Hannifin Rak Sa | Machine for flaring pipe ends |
| FR2730434B1 (en) * | 1995-02-13 | 1997-03-21 | Parker Hannifin Rak Sa | MACHINE FOR FLARING END OF TUBES BY BOTTLE |
| US8517715B2 (en) | 2010-04-06 | 2013-08-27 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | PEX expanding tool |
| KR101050361B1 (en) | 2010-05-27 | 2011-07-20 | 김위식 | Manufacturing apparatus used spinning of pipe |
| US9914260B2 (en) | 2014-06-20 | 2018-03-13 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | PEX expanding tool |
| US9862137B2 (en) | 2015-04-20 | 2018-01-09 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | PEX expanding tool |
| WO2016201196A1 (en) | 2015-06-10 | 2016-12-15 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | Pex expanding tool |
| CN107630656A (en) * | 2017-10-10 | 2018-01-26 | 李乾 | A kind of construction ground drilling equipment |
| CN109016477B (en) * | 2018-08-15 | 2024-02-09 | 浙江启程汽车部件有限公司 | Automatic flaring and joint press fitting equipment |
| EP3698942A3 (en) | 2019-02-20 | 2020-10-28 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | Pex expansion tool |
| US11596999B2 (en) | 2019-02-20 | 2023-03-07 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | PEX expansion tool |
| CN214726466U (en) | 2020-11-27 | 2021-11-16 | 米沃奇电动工具公司 | Expansion tool |
| US11779990B2 (en) | 2021-04-09 | 2023-10-10 | Milwaukee Electric Tool Corporation | Expansion tool |
| CN113333600A (en) * | 2021-08-09 | 2021-09-03 | 山东奥扬新能源科技股份有限公司 | Metal pipe flaring device |
| CN114101512B (en) * | 2021-11-26 | 2023-03-28 | 泰州锐拓汽车部件有限公司 | Production and processing equipment for curtain guide rail for traffic transport equipment |
| CN114851533B (en) * | 2022-04-21 | 2023-04-28 | 南通理工学院 | Automatic flanging device for steel-lined tetrafluoro straight pipe |
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US2215789A (en) * | 1938-08-09 | 1940-09-24 | John K M Harrison | Tube end-flaring mechanism |
| FR1162924A (en) * | 1955-02-17 | 1958-09-18 | Device for the peripheral heating of the tubes, and machine for shaping the collars using this device | |
| US3610016A (en) * | 1969-08-12 | 1971-10-05 | Tenneco Inc | Unitized tube end forming machine |
| GB1344066A (en) * | 1970-08-04 | 1974-01-16 | Secr Defence | Metal working |
| FR2233112A1 (en) * | 1973-06-12 | 1975-01-10 | Mr Hove Michel | Method of deforming or expanding tubes - uses mandrel induction heated by H.F. electric supply inserted in tube |
| JPS54121952U (en) * | 1978-02-15 | 1979-08-25 | ||
| GB2092492B (en) * | 1981-02-05 | 1985-07-03 | American Can Co | Improvements relating to can manufacture |
| US4693105A (en) * | 1983-10-11 | 1987-09-15 | Lee Jr Roy | Method of and apparatus for straightening, swaging, and threading a pipe |
| IT1223306B (en) * | 1987-10-09 | 1990-09-19 | Blm Spa | PROCEDURE AND MACHINE FOR THE PLASTIC DEFORMATION OF TUBULAR BODIES |
-
1991
- 1991-04-18 AU AU75252/91A patent/AU629472B2/en not_active Ceased
- 1991-04-29 MY MYPI91000726A patent/MY111160A/en unknown
- 1991-05-02 NO NO911724A patent/NO302309B1/en unknown
- 1991-05-21 BR BR919102100A patent/BR9102100A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1991-06-03 EP EP91304989A patent/EP0462719B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-06-03 JP JP3157474A patent/JPH07102416B2/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-06-03 ES ES91304989T patent/ES2075353T3/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
- 1991-06-05 KR KR1019910009272A patent/KR950009761B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1991-06-07 CA CA002044128A patent/CA2044128C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
- 1991-11-12 SA SA91120222A patent/SA91120222B1/en unknown
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| NO911724L (en) | 1991-12-09 |
| JPH04228233A (en) | 1992-08-18 |
| EP0462719A3 (en) | 1992-01-15 |
| SA91120222B1 (en) | 2004-07-12 |
| KR920001060A (en) | 1992-01-29 |
| JPH07102416B2 (en) | 1995-11-08 |
| CA2044128A1 (en) | 1991-12-08 |
| ES2075353T3 (en) | 1995-10-01 |
| BR9102100A (en) | 1991-12-24 |
| NO911724D0 (en) | 1991-05-02 |
| AU629472B2 (en) | 1992-10-01 |
| EP0462719A2 (en) | 1991-12-27 |
| NO302309B1 (en) | 1998-02-16 |
| EP0462719B1 (en) | 1995-08-02 |
| AU7525291A (en) | 1991-12-12 |
| KR950009761B1 (en) | 1995-08-28 |
| MY111160A (en) | 1999-09-30 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| MKLA | Lapsed |