DE102010025909B3 - Pipe inspecting device has base and multiple front support arms, which with proximal ends are connected at base over circumference - Google Patents

Abstract

The pipe inspecting device (2) has a base (4) and multiple front support arms (5a), which with the proximal ends are connected at the base over its circumference. The support arms are provided at the distal ends with a roller (6). A preloaded unit is provided to preload a piston cylinder arrangement in a position.

Description

The invention relates to a pipe-mounting device for driving on pipes according to the preamble of claim 1.

Such devices are used for the inspection of sewer pipes, but could also be used in other areas such as the petrochemical application, in which inspections or maintenance must be carried out in pipelines.

A trained as a device carrier vehicle of this kind is from its own utility model DE 200 11 689 known. The equipment carrier shown there has a central base body, on the circumference of a plurality of mutually offset pairs of two pivotable in the radial direction supporting arms are articulated, each carrying a roller at the opposite end of the body-side linkage. The device carrier is supported accordingly by the staggered pairs of rollers on the inner circumference of the pipeline. The support arms are pneumatically or hydraulically swiveled. On the one hand, they are hinged to one of the two parts of the base body at their end close to the base body. On the other hand, the two support arms of a Tragarmpaares each scissor-like crossing another joint are interconnected. By mutual, axial displacement of the two parts of the body, the scissors formed by the crossing arms is more or less open or closed, whereby the rollers of the equipment carrier are adjustable in the radial direction. In this case, the two parts of the base body overlap in the manner of a cylinder-piston unit, wherein one part has a piston neck and the other part a cylinder approach, which together include a working space, which is acted upon via a supply line with a pressure medium.

The proposed equipment carrier has proven itself in use for the investigation or processing of the inside of elongated pipes. However, it is increasingly desired to be able to travel even branched pipe systems or curved pipes with branches (tees) and pipe connections with different diameters (reductions) or elbows, for example with a bending radius equal to half the pipe diameter, for example in the inspection of sewers from the house connection to the sewer line to advance further into the house sewer.

Based on the above development is therefore with the German patent application DE 10 2005 035 826 A1 another tube-mounted vehicle of the generic type has been proposed, but here the support arms directed towards the rear of the vehicle have been designed to be pivotable separately from the support arms directed toward the front side. For this purpose, the pipe-mounting device has at its front part and at its rear part in each case a hydraulically driven piston-cylinder arrangement with which the front support arms can be pivoted separately from the rear support arms. In this case, when the rollers attached to the swing-out, distal ends of the support arms can be driven individually and the front support arms can be pivoted separately from the rear support arms, the tubular vehicle obtains a maneuverability which allows for tubes with diameter tapers or widenings as well as certain Dimensions of pipe branches or bends to continue the journey.

In this case, there is always the problem that when Druckloswerden the piston-cylinder assembly, the respective support arms do not retract completely or only those support arms on which rests the weight of the pipe mounting device. If the pipe-holding device is now to drive around a bend or branch, it may happen that it gets stuck with its support arms not fully retracted.

On this basis, it is an object of the present invention to develop a pipe mounting device of the generic type in terms of good maneuverability and control accuracy.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1.

According to the invention, at least one biasing device is provided, which biases at least the piston-cylinder assembly in a voltage applied to the base body normal position of the front and / or rear support arms corresponding neutral position, or biases the front and / or the rear support arms in the body resting on the normal position.

This ensures that all front support arms, but advantageously also all rear support arms can be reliably applied to the body when the front and / or rear support arms associated piston-cylinder assembly is depressurized. In particular, this ensures that even those support arms retracted or created or can be pivoted on which the weight of the pipe-mounting device does not rest. If only the piston-cylinder assembly is biased in the neutral position, the upper support arms are moved over their own weight in the fitting normal position. If this is not sufficient, it is advantageous if the pretensioning device is designed so that not only the piston-cylinder arrangement in the neutral position, but also the support arms are biased into the normal position. This is particularly advantageous if, for example, the front support arms to be retracted, because it is to be driven around a Rohrabbiegung why the front support arms are retracted to drive the tightest possible turning radius can. If one or more of the front support arms remains partially spread out, then it may happen that the pipe-mounting device will catch on it.

Advantageously, the pipe-mounting device has three front support arms. It is also advantageous if the plurality of front support arms are articulated with their proximal ends on the main body evenly distributed over its circumference. Advantageously, the pipe mounting device also has three rear support arms. It is also advantageous if the plurality of rear support arms are hinged with their proximal end to the base body uniformly distributed over the circumference. The drive for at least part of the rollers can be electromotive. Preferably, at least one pressure medium line is passed through the base body.

In a structurally simple way, such a biasing device can be realized by means of tension springs, which are connected to the piston side and the other cylinder side with the piston-cylinder arrangement. However, it would also be conceivable to provide the front and / or rear support arms in each case with a torsion spring in the direction of their voltage applied to the main body normal position or the Tragarmgelenke, where the support arms are hinged to the body.

When tension springs are used, it would in principle be conceivable to lay them in the radial direction or with the radial direction component between a point in the vicinity of the distal end of the respective support arm and an attachment to the base body. However, the problem arises that there is not enough space available for the tension springs with retracted or adjacent support arms. Preference is therefore an attachment of the tension springs on both sides of the piston-cylinder assembly, ie piston side and cylinder side, wherein the tension springs have such a tensile force that a non-pressurized piston-cylinder assembly in a position corresponding to the normal position bringing biasing force is exerted on the piston cylinder assembly. The tension springs can then be distributed coaxially and preferably axially parallel to the axis of the base body around the circumference of the base body.

In this way, it is ensured that the pressure or powerless piston-cylinder arrangement which spreads the support arms when pressurized, is actually brought into a position that allows application of the support arms.

Although then affects the weight of the upper support arms in the direction of the adjacent position of the support arms. In order to ensure the application of the support arms from the spread position at depressurized to ensure the piston-cylinder arrangement, it is advantageous if the support arms are so coupled to the moving portion of the piston-cylinder assembly that they also caused by the biasing force of the springs - method the piston-cylinder assembly are taken to the normal position corresponding neutral position.

In terms of a high maneuverability, it is from the own patent application DE 10 2005 035 826 A1 known to provide for the front support arms and the rear support arms each have their own, preferably hydraulically actuated piston-cylinder arrangement to allow a separate driving or actuating the front support arms independently of the rear support arms. In this regard, this patent application is therefore fully incorporated into the present patent application.

In particular, for an embodiment of the pipe mounting device with two separate piston-cylinder assemblies for pivoting the front support arms on the one hand and the rear support arms on the other hand, it is advantageous if the biasing means comprises a support arm driving device, via which the front support arms are coupled to the front sliding sleeve and / or a support arm entrainment device, via which the rear support arms are coupled to the rear sliding sleeve, that the support arms corresponding to a movement of the respective sliding sleeve from one of the spread position of the support arms corresponding position in one of the voltage applied to the body normal position in the Normal position to be taken.

The biasing means thus not only biases the piston-cylinder assembly into the normal position of the front and / or the rear support arms which bears against the base body, but also reliably displaces the respective support arms into the position resting on the base body or takes the support arms in the case of the Biasing device caused retraction movement of the piston-cylinder assembly in the voltage applied to the body normal position of the front or the rear support arms corresponding neutral position.

When Kraftloswerden the respective piston cylinder assembly, the force exerted on the biasing means on the front and / or rear support arms then leads to a forced application of the support arms in the fitting normal position, and it is also advantageous for the controllability of the pivotal movement of the support arms, that the front support arms forcibly Squeezed synchronously and retracted and the rear support arms forcibly splayed and retracted synchronously.

Since the pipe-mounting device is partially exposed to rugged operating conditions, eg. B. when driving on dirty and partially flooded sewer pipes, it is desirable to protect the biasing springs against environmental influences. For this purpose, the biasing or tension springs are advantageously each guided by a preferably attached to the associated sliding sleeve spring sleeve, which completely covers the respective tension spring in the normal position and is preferably covered at its axial ends, in particular by means of a sliding sleeve side and a head portion side spring mounting bolt, in which the tension springs are mounted with their ends.

In order to achieve the most uniform possible distribution of forces over the biasing device on the pressure-less piston cylinder assembly and thus exerted on the support arms retraction force, it is also advantageous if the tension springs coaxial with the axis of the body respectively on the bisector between two of the preferably three front and / or rear support arms are arranged.

The support arm driving device may have radially projecting from the outer periphery of the respective sliding sleeve outwardly guide projections in which at least one guide groove is provided for each of the front and / or rear support arms, for example, is milled, as well as on each of the front and / or rear support arms at least one guide pin attached thereto, which is received guided in the associated guide groove, wherein the guide grooves in each case on a plane passing through the axis of the body, imaginary plane and on a preferably axially curved towards the axial ends of the body in the radial direction, concentric with the axis of the main body arranged imaginary Tubusfläche are arranged and have identical dimensions.

Advantageously, the base body of the pipe-mounting device in a central portion between the front and rear support arm joints is flexible and / or provided with a main body joint, so that a front portion or a front part of the main body with the front support arms against a rear portion or a rear part of the main body with the rear support arms is pivotable.

As a result, due to the pivoting ability of the front part relative to the rear part tighter radii are driven as with a pipe mounting device with a rigid body. In this case, the body is provided with front support arm joints, with which the front support arms are hinged to the main body of the pipe mounting device, and with rear support arm joints, with which the rear support arms are hinged to the main body of the pipe mounting device, the front support arm joints of the rear support arm joints in the axial direction the pipe-mounting device (ie, a straight, straight pipe) are preferably spaced from each other such that in the middle region between the front and rear support arm joints a waist of the pipe mounting device results, which makes smaller Kruvenradien passable, and the main body joint or a flexible section can accommodate.

It would be conceivable in principle to provide the main body joint with a pivot drive, which triggered by a corresponding control device can perform a pivoting of the front part in the desired direction and back to a non-pivoted normal position actively. In the sense of a simple structure and a compact design of the pipe mounting device, however, a "passive" pivoting of the front part relative to the rear part is advantageous, so instead of an active drive provided in the middle portion of the pipe mounting device connector which has a certain bending elasticity, so that swings the front part when it strikes a pipe wall with a roller or its tip and further thrust is exerted on the wheels on the rear support arms, but also pivots back into the extended, unverschwenkte starting position when the pipe bend is passed through.

As such flexurally elastic connecting piece, a bending spring, in particular a spring made of a circumferential in several windings spring wire or the like has been found suitable. Particularly advantageously, the connecting piece can also be designed as a bend piece consisting of a flexurally elastic material such as, for example, a rubber or a rubber-elastic material, or have such a piece. Thus, the connector can be made not only very inexpensive, but also by selecting the material and by appropriate dimensioning and shaping very easy the desired Bending elasticity or bending stiffness of the pipe mounting device in the middle section are given, and also with respect to the directions in which a deflection should be possible or in which a deflection should be easy or difficult.

It is furthermore advantageous if the outer contour with which the pipe-mounting device can come into contact and possibly drag along the inner radius of the branch is smooth and tapers more and more toward the center of the main body, so that its outer diameter in the middle section is a minimum Reached, so has a sidecut. This approximately hourglass-like outer contour is formed essentially by the outwardly facing surfaces of the support arms and the central portion between the front and rear support arm joints. By "smooth contour" is meant that as far as possible no protrusions or sharp-edged transitions should be provided at these areas where the pipe-mounting device could hook in cornering at the inner radius or the intersection edge of the pipe bend. Preferably, therefore, the pipe mounting device or its outer contour in the central portion of the body has a narrow sidecut, that is, where the diameter of the outer contour is smaller than the diameter of the outer contour on the covered by the support arms front and rear portion of the body or the pipe Befahrung device. Further advantageous in this sense, it is when the outer contour of the body in the central portion transitionless, at least when applied to the body support arms, that is without sharp edges or the like in the outer contour of the direction Rohrbefahrungsrichtung passes to the support arms.

If at least the wheels on the rear support arms individually driven and preferably also braked and / or driven in the opposite direction, such a turn is successful as follows:
The pipe-mounting device moves with resting against the pipe walls rollers, that is so far spread arms that the rollers abut the pipe walls, in the pipe mouth until the rollers hang on the front of the pipe mounting device outdoors or abut the pipe walls of the riser (the same Of course, this also applies to a T-shaped opening in a horizontally or inclined pipe). In the event that is to be driven upwards in the riser, for example, three rear rollers / support arms applied to the upper pipe wall roller is braked or driven in the opposite direction and driven the two under seated rollers with propulsion, so that a certain deflection of the entire pipe mounting device results in the desired direction of travel up into the riser. If a point is reached at which the rollers come to rest on the front support arms on the outer radius or on the side opposite the junction of the riser, these rollers are driven in the feed direction, so that the pipe mounting device is pulled around the branch around.

When cornering as described above can then be effected when retracting the front part in the riser first concerns the front support arms to the front part of the body, so that the pipe mounting device can continue to drive around the pipe bend around because of then narrower in the front part outer contour, while the stay out back brackets and thus make it possible that at the outer radius of the desired cornering - in the riser example so seated below - rollers are driven and together with the rear, upper roller hold the rear part in the inflowing pipe, so that the desired propulsion is effected around the curve. If the front part, with its rollers brought over the front support arms, then takes root in the riser, spreading of the support arms on the front part can be effected, possibly by bending the main body in its middle section, and then applying the rear support arms to the rear part of the Main body can be effected so that the rear part can be pulled around the curve or at the inner radius of the curve in the riser.

It is understood that a development in which the main body is formed in the central portion so that the front portion is pivotable in any direction with respect to the rear portion, has advantages when branches are to be traveled in all directions. However, it would also be conceivable to design the middle section in such a way that deflection is possible only in one or more predetermined directions, whereby if the predetermined pivoting direction does not exactly meet the branching angle, then forcibly turning the entire pipe mounting device in the manner of a universal joint is used would.

In order to enable a multi-axis pivoting of the front relative to the rear portion of the base body, a ball piece may be provided in the central portion of the base body, which has an at least segmental spherical surface. At the front portion and at the rear portion may then be mounted in each case facing pans, in which the ball piece is accommodated so that it with its spherical Surface in the pans can slide off. Such a ball joint ensures a bending ability in several axes. In this case, it is advantageous to provide a flexurally elastic connecting piece connected to the front section and the rear section for fastening the front section to the middle section and the rear section to the middle section or to the middle section penetrating attachment of the front section to the rear section , In particular with the above-described bending piece of flexurally elastic material, which penetrates the ball piece according to an advantageous development, for example, by extending in the axial direction of the pipe mounting device through the ball piece bore.

It is preferred in this case if the bending piece is hollow on the inside, ie has a through opening or bore, in order thus to create space for supply lines which are to be guided through the base body of the pipe mounting device in order to prevent them from running along the pipe walls scrub and protect the utility lines from other environmental negative influences, such as aggressive chemicals in the pipe or the like.

For example, hydraulic lines (or in the case of a pneumatically driven piston cylinder assembly for the front support arms) compressed air lines for the provided for swinging the front support arms front piston-cylinder assembly at the front portion of the body through the central portion of the body are passed, which then through the rear portion of the main body and an opening at the back of the main body are led out in a cable drag out of the sewer line. For the preferred for driving the front wheels electric motors, which in turn may preferably be arranged in cavities in the support arms also electrical cables must be led out through the middle section and the rear section in the cable drag out of the duct, for power and, if provided also separate control lines. Furthermore, brake devices may advantageously be provided on the rollers, which may be actuated for example via electromagnets, for the other cables must be passed through the central portion, but also the rear portion of the body. For duct inspection, but also for controlling the pipe-mounting device, a camera may further be mounted on the front side of the main body, which may likewise be connected to the outside world via a cable guided through the main body and the duct or to a control unit arranged outside the inspected pipe. However, the body could also other devices, eg. B. carry a drill or certain substances sensing sensors.

Is provided in the central portion of the body from the ball piece and attached to the front and the rear portion pans existing ball joint, it is advantageous if the pans have on their facing end faces in the axial direction of the pipe mounting device protruding teeth through which the pans engage each other at least in a non-pivoted rest position of the body. This makes it possible to prevent torsion of the pipe-mounting device in the middle section.

Advantageous developments are the subject of the remaining dependent claims and will be explained in more detail together with a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Show it:

1 a side view of an embodiment of the pipe mounting device according to the invention;

2 a longitudinal section through the in 1 shown pipe mounting device;

3 a rear end view of the in the 1 and 2 shown pipe mounting device with applied support arms;

4 one of the 4 corresponding view with splayed support arms;

5 those in the previous ones 1 to 4 shown pipe mounting device during cornering in a curved tube.

First, reference is made to 1 , which shows a generally designated 2 pipe mounting device. The pipe-mounting device 2 has a total of 4 designated base body, which has a front portion 7a , a middle section 7 and a back section 7b Has. At the front section 7a are articulated by three in 120 ° increments evenly distributed over its circumference articulated arms 5a castors 6 attached to the rear section 7b corresponding rollers 6 about symmetrical to the front support arms 5a arranged rear support arms 5b ,

The front support arms 5a are with their proximal ends on front support arm joints 9a near the middle section 7 to the front section 7a of the basic body 4 hinged and have with their distal ends to the front, whereas the rear support arms 5b at their proximal ends via rear support arm joints 9b at the rear section 7b of the basic body 4 near the middle section 7 are hinged and point with their distal ends to the rear. In the axial direction between the rear suspension arm joints 9b and the front support arm joints 9a is the middle section 7 on which the main body 4 is flexible. This is one with the rear section 7b of the main body connected posterior socket 10b provided and one with the front section 7a of the basic body 4 connected front socket 10a , where the two sockets 10a . 10b facing teeth 18a . 18b have, which in the non-curved normal position of the body 4 engage each other and a twist, or twisting of the front portion 7a opposite the rear section 7b prevent.

The details of the flexible middle section 7 of the basic body 4 are in particular the 2 refer to. The middle section 7 includes a ball piece 11 with upper and lower side spherical segment-shaped surface on which the joint sockets 10a . 10b with their ends facing each other at a deflection of the body 4 in the middle section 7 can expire. The middle section 7 further comprises a through an axial direction of the body 4 through the ball piece 11 passing through bore guided connector 14a . 12 . 14b , The connector 14a . 12 . 14b in turn consists of a bending elastic bending piece 12 in the form of a sleeve which consists of a flexurally elastic polymer, preferably of a rubber. The bending piece 12 can at its two axial ends with annular circumferential projections in corresponding annular grooves on a front mounting flange 14a and a rear mounting flange 14b be vulcanised. The front cylindrical mounting flange 14a is in total in a cylindrical receptacle on the front section 7a attached to the body, the rear, also cylindrical mounting flange 14b in a corresponding, cylindrical receptacle on the rear section 7b of the basic body 4 ,

The front section 7a of the basic body 4 points in this case, starting from the front socket 10a and one of the jib joints 9a portion having a tubular neck portion 3a on, on the axialendseitig a cantilevered head portion 8a followed. On the neck section 3a is again a sliding sleeve 15a slidable and one in a corresponding groove 21 inlaid O-ring and / or other suitable sealing means received sealed, which on its forward side a cylindrical receptacle for the projecting head portion 8a which in turn with 17 indicated sealing lips and / or other suitable sealant carries. The head section 8a and the neck section 3a on the one hand and the sliding sleeve 15a on the other hand, thus enclosing a workspace 13a and form a front piston-cylinder arrangement 3a . 8a . 15a , where the work space 13a over through a central hole 24 through the neck section 13a one through the connector 14a . 12 . 14b passed through central hole 23 and one through the back section 7b passed through central hole 22 passed hydraulic lines can be acted upon by hydraulic pressure medium. Is hydraulic fluid in the working space 13a pumped, so is the sliding sleeve 15a towards the middle section 7 pushed away and thereby causes a spreading of the front support arms 5a , which will be described in detail below.

On the other hand, on the front sliding sleeve 15a on the one hand and on a serving as a piston, projecting head portion 8a subsequent, even more projecting, front end portion 29a on the other hand tension springs 18 attached, which serve the front support arms 5a in her at the base 4 pre-load adjacent normal position and thus part of a corresponding biasing device 18 . 19 . 20 . 48 . 44 . 46 are.

The spreading and reassembly of the rear support arms 5b via a separate, rear piston-cylinder arrangement 3b . 8b . 15b formed by a neck section 3b and a rear end adjoining and overhanging head section 8b , as well as a sliding sleeve guided on it 15b works accordingly, again pulling springs 18 between the sliding sleeve 15b and one over the head section 8b projecting rear end portion 29b are attached and as part of a corresponding biasing device 18 . 19 . 20 . 48 . 44 . 46 the rear arms 5b in her at the base 4 pretensioning normal position.

Here are the tension or bias springs 18 Sliding sleeve side each with a 20 designated, the respective biasing spring 18 guided circumferentially surrounding spring sleeve and at the middle of the area 7 facing the end of the spring sleeve 20 on one the spring sleeve 20 closing spring fixing bolts 19 hooked. On the side of the front section 7a or the rear section 7b are the bias springs 18 in contrast, in each case in an axial direction by the projecting front end portion 29a or the rear end portion 29b extending bores screwed spring mounting bolt 19 hooked. In this way, in the swung out or spread out position of the support arms 5a respectively. 5b a biasing force on the sliding sleeves 15a . 15b exercised, which the support arms 5a . 5b each in their on the main body 4 pre-tensioned normal position. In the adjacent position of the support arms 5a . 5b are the bias springs 18 however, completely within the spring sleeves 20 received and axialendseitig by the spring bolt 19 covered. The bias springs 18 extend preferably in the axial direction of the body 4 ,

In 3 is the pipe-mounting device 2 in position with adjacent front and rear support arms 5a . 5b shown in the 4 in the position with maximally splayed front and rear support arms 5a . 5b , in a view of the back of the pipe-mounting device 2 , One recognizes the rear end section 29b , which with one over the central bore 24 screwed lid cap 25 is provided (in 2 not shown). The lid cap 25 has one with the hole 24 communicating, central opening through which the cable drag out of the body 4 can be led out. The cable drag with the hydraulic pressure medium lines and the electric cables is not shown here for reasons of clarity.

One recognizes from the 3 and 4 also the with 19 designated, by corresponding holes in the rear, projecting end portion 29b guided spring mounting bolt, which preferably each on the bisecting line between the support arms 5b can be located. The diameter of the outer contour of the pipe-mounting device 2 with adjacent support arms 5a . 5b is in the process 3 denoted by A, the diameter of the outer contour of the pipe-mounting device 2 with extended support arms 5a . 5b in the 4 B. The diameter A is in the illustrated embodiment below 100 mm (92 mm) so that it succeeds, even pipes with a diameter of 100 mm, as in sewers in the sewage piping between the sewer connection to the public sewer network and the in-house sanitary facilities (toilet , Shower etc.) are common. The in 4 drawn diameter B is in the illustrated embodiment 165 mm, so that pipes with a diameter of 150 mm, as they are also common in the field of in-house sanitation, can be driven with high security. In the middle section 7 ( 1 ) of the main body 4 the pipe-mounting device 2 the outer diameter, however, in the illustrated embodiment, only 26 mm and rises from there along the support arms steadily, so that even tight curve radii in pipe branches or bends can be traversed, the support arms 5a . 5b are smooth on their outwardly facing surface and -at least in the adjacent state - almost transition-free in the outer contour of the joint sockets 10a . 10b go over so that the pipe-mounting device 2 when sliding along a pipe wall at the inner radius of the pipe bend to be traversed not hooked.

In 5 is the pipe-mounting device 2 doing so during such cornering by a with 1 designated, curved tube shown. The front section 7a of the basic body 4 It has already driven around the turn around, whereas the rear section 7b still before the turn and the middle section 7 rests on a sharp edge on the inside of the branch pipe. You can see clearly from the in 1 and 2 shown, aligned position pivoted out position of the front section 7a opposite the rear section 7b , which allows the passage of the pipe bend even with a tight radius of curvature.

In the in the 5 shown position that is for bending the pipe mounting device 2 on the below the ball piece 11 arranged bending piece 12 exerted bending moment essentially generated by the fact that located on the outer circumference of the pipe bend rollers 6 due to the contact force of the middle piece on the pipe cutting edge press more strongly on the pipe wall than the rollers located on the inside of the pipe bend 6 and so produce the required bending moment.

To drive the rollers 6 is in each case one in a receiving bore of the associated support member 5a . 5b provided electric motor provided. In this case, the output shaft of the electric motor is in each case provided with a bevel gear, not shown, which has a on the axis of rotation of the corresponding roller 6 mounted, also not shown counter bevel the associated roller 6 driving. This countershaft is protected against contamination in each case under a cap 27 which in particular the 4 and 1 can be seen.

To the support arms 5a . 5b The sliding sleeves can be pushed apart and swung back in again 15a . 15b while guiding projections 48 which best is the 2 can be seen. At the of the outer circumference of the respective sliding sleeve 15a . 15b radially outwardly projecting guide projections 48 can also be concentric with the axis of the body 4 on a curved outwardly curved annular surface arranged guide grooves 44 be provided, preferably milled, in which case each support arm 5a . 5b a leadership advantage 48 with a guide groove 44 can be assigned. On the carrying arms 5a . 5b in turn, in each case a guide pin 46 be attached, which in the associated guide 44 is recorded guided. The guide projections 48 on the front sliding sleeve 15a with the local guide grooves 44 and the associated guide pins 46 on the front support arms 5a thus form a support arm driving device 48 . 44 . 46 for the front support arms 5a , the guide tabs 48 on the rear sliding sleeve 15b with the local guide grooves 44 and the associated guide pins 46 on the rear support arms 5b thus form a support arm driving device 48 . 44 . 46 for the rear support arms 5b ,

The respective guide pin or pin 46 is doing with increasing pressure in the work area 13a . 13b against a contact surface in the guide groove 44 ( 2 ), so that the front support arms 5a extend synchronously and / or the rear support arms 5b extend synchronously. As the cylinder pressure decreases, the respective support arms become 5a . 5b about the spring force of the biasing springs 18 pulled in the applied position, wherein in the guide grooves 44 guided guide pin 46 This is ensured by the front brackets 5a synchronous with each other via the front sliding sleeve 15a from the bias springs 18 pulled retracted and / or the rear arms 5b synchronous to each other via the rear sliding sleeve 15b from the bias springs 18 pulled retracted.

Deviations and modifications of the illustrated embodiment of the invention are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

Thus, the indicated values for the diameters on the outer contour of the pipe-mounting device and on its middle section are merely exemplary and can also be chosen differently, depending on which pipes or tasks the pipe-mounting device is provided for.

At the sliding sleeves 15a . 15b and at the projecting front and rear end portions 29a . 29b can thereby recesses for the wheels 6 be milled out ( 2 ), for a closer fit of the support arms 5a . 5b and thus a smaller outer diameter A of the pipe-mounting device 2 with applied support arms 5a . 5b to enable and thus ultimately driving on narrower tubes.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

pipe

2

Pipe Befahrung device

3a, 8a, 15a

front piston-cylinder arrangement

3b, 8b, 15b

rear piston-cylinder arrangement

3a

front neck section

3b

rear neck section

4

body

5a

front brackets

5b

rear arms

6

castors

7a

front portion of the body

7

middle section of the main body

7b

rear section of the main body

8a

front head section

8b

rear head section

9a

front support arm joints

9b

rear arm joints

10a, 10b

joint sockets

11

piece ball

12, 14a, 14b

joint

12

Bend of the connector

13a

front workspace

 13b

rear workspace

 14a, 14b

Mounting flanges of the connector

15a

front sliding sleeve

15b

rear sliding sleeve

17

sealing lips

18, 19, 20, 48, 44, 46

front and rear pretensioners

18

bias springs

18a, 18b

Protruding teeth on the sockets ( 10a . 10b )

19

Spring fastening screws

20

spring sleeves

21

Grooves for O-rings

22, 23, 24

Holes for the implementation of supply lines

25

top cap

27

Cover caps for impeller drive gear

29a, 29b

front / rear end section

48, 44, 46

Support arm camming

44

Guide grooves on the sliding sleeves

46

Guide pins on the support arms

48

radially outwardly projecting guide projections on the sliding sleeves

Claims (11)

Pipe mounting device ( 2 ), with a basic body ( 4 ), a plurality of front support arms ( 5a ), which with their proximal ends on the base body ( 4 ) articulated distributed over its circumference and at its distal ends with rollers ( 6 ) are provided and thus to an axial end of the pipe mounting device ( 2 ) are directed towards, and a plurality of rear support arms ( 5b ), which with its proximal end on the main body ( 4 ) are articulated distributed over its circumference and at its distal ends with rollers ( 6 ) are provided and thus to the other axial end of the pipe mounting device ( 2 ), wherein at least a part of the rollers ( 6 ) is driven and at least one pressurizable piston-cylinder assembly ( 3a . 8a . 15a . 3b . 8b . 15b ) for motorized pivoting of the front and the rear support arms ( 5a . 5b ), characterized in that at least one pretensioning device ( 18 . 19 . 20 . 48 . 44 . 46 ) is provided, which the piston-cylinder arrangement ( 3a . 8a . 15a . 3b . 8b . 15b ) in a position which a normal position of the front and / or the rear support arms ( 5a . 5b ) corresponds, in which this at the base body ( 4 ) issue. Pipe mounting device ( 2 ) according to claim 1, characterized in that the pretensioning device ( 18 . 19 . 20 . 48 . 44 . 46 ) a number of tension springs ( 18 ), which on the piston side and on the cylinder side so with the piston-cylinder arrangement ( 3a . 8a . 15a . 3b . 8b . 15b ) and which have such a tensile force that a non-pressurized piston-cylinder arrangement ( 3a . 8a . 15a . 3b . 8b . 15b ) in a normal position corresponding position biasing force on the piston-cylinder assembly ( 3a . 8a . 15a . 3b . 8b . 15b ) is exercised. Pipe mounting device ( 2 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the front support arms ( 5a ) and the rear support arms ( 5b ) in each case by means of at least one pressurizable piston-cylinder arrangement ( 3a . 8a . 15a . 3b . 8b . 15b ) are pivotable separately from each other, wherein the main body ( 7 ) in a front section ( 7a ) and a rear section ( 7b ) each have an axially extending neck portion ( 3a . 3b ), on which one on the front or rear support arms ( 5a . 5b ) engaging sliding sleeve ( 15a . 15b ) is received slidably and sealed, and at the axialendseitig a cantilevered head portion ( 8a . 8b ), which circumferentially of the associated sliding sleeve ( 15a . 15b ) is sealed so that the sliding sleeve ( 15a . 15b ) on the one hand and the head section ( 8a . 8b ) and the neck portion ( 3a . 3b ) on the other hand one each a work space ( 13a . 13b ) enclosing piston-cylinder arrangement ( 3a . 8a . 15a . 3b . 8b . 15b ) form. Pipe mounting device ( 2 ) according to claim 3, characterized in that the tension springs ( 18 ) on the one hand on the sliding sleeve ( 15a . 15b ) and on the other hand at the head portion or fixed to the head portion ( 8a . 8b ) connected section ( 29a . 29b ) of the basic body ( 4 ) are attached. Pipe mounting device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tension springs ( 18 ) in each case by a on the associated sliding sleeve ( 15a . 15b ) fixed spring sleeve ( 20 ) are guided, which the respective tension spring ( 18 ) in the normal position circumferentially completely covered and at its axial ends in each case by means of a sliding sleeve side and a head portion side spring mounting bolt ( 19 ) into which the tension springs ( 18 ) are hung with their ends covered. Pipe mounting device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tension springs ( 18 ) coaxial with the axis of the body ( 4 ) each on the bisector between two of the front and / or rear support arms ( 5a . 5b ) are arranged. Pipe mounting device ( 2 ) according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that the pretensioning device ( 18 . 19 . 20 . 48 . 44 . 46 ) a support arm driving device ( 48 . 44 . 46 ), over which the front support arms ( 5a ) so with the front sliding sleeve ( 15a ) are coupled and / or a support arm driving device ( 48 . 44 . 46 ), over which the rear support arms ( 5b ) so with the rear sliding sleeve ( 15b ) that the support arms ( 5a . 5b ) during a movement of the respective sliding sleeve ( 15a . 15b ) from one of the spread-out position of the support arms ( 5a . 5b ) corresponding position in one of the body ( 4 ) fitting normal position appropriate position to be taken to the normal position. Pipe mounting device ( 2 ) according to claim 7, characterized in that the support arm driving device ( 48 . 44 . 46 ) radially from the outer periphery of the respective sliding sleeve ( 15a . 15b ) outwardly projecting guide projections ( 48 ), in which for each of the front and / or rear support arms ( 5a . 5b ) at least one guide groove ( 44 ) is provided, and on each of the front and / or rear support arms ( 5a . 5b ) at least one guide pin ( 46 ) which in the associated guide groove ( 44 ), wherein the guide grooves ( 44 ) concentric with the axis of the body ( 4 ) on a to the axial ends of the body ( 4 ) in the radial direction, preferably curved curved, imaginary tube surface are arranged and have identical dimensions. Pipe mounting device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the diameter of the outer contour of the pipe-mounting device ( 2 ) in the normal position with adjacent support arms ( 5a . 5b ) is smaller than 100 mm and at maximum spread out support arms ( 5a . 5b ) greater than 150 mm. Pipe mounting device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the basic body ( 4 ) in a middle section ( 7 ) is flexible and / or a body joint ( 10a . 10b . 11 ), so that a front section ( 7a ) of the basic body ( 4 ) with the front support arms ( 5a ) opposite a rear section ( 7b ) of the basic body ( 4 ) with the rear support arms ( 5a ) is pivotable, wherein the middle section ( 7 ) preferably one with the front section ( 7a ) and the rear section ( 7b ) connected, flexurally elastic connecting piece ( 12 . 14a . 14b ) or consists thereof, which comprises a bending spring, or consists thereof. Pipe mounting device ( 2 ) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that front support arm joints ( 9a ), with which the front support arms ( 5a ) on the base body ( 4 ) are hinged by rear support arm joints ( 9b ), with which the rear support arms ( 5b ) on the base body ( 4 ), in the axial direction of the pipe mounting device ( 2 ) are spaced apart from each other and the main body ( 4 ) in the area between the front support arm joints ( 9a ) and the rear support arm joints ( 9b ) has a narrower waist than at the support arm joints ( 9a . 9b ).

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