DE102015117641A1 - Pipe centering device and associated method - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a pipe internal centering device for centering a first pipe (28) relative to a second pipe (30), comprising (a) a centering unit (12) for aligning the second pipe (30) relative to the first pipe (28), and (B) a transport device (14) for moving along a longitudinal axis (L) of the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung (10), characterized by (c) a rotating device (48) by means of the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung (10) about its longitudinal axis (L) rotatable is. The invention also relates to a method for producing a pipeline.

Description

The invention relates to a pipe internal centering device for centering a first pipe relative to a second pipe, with a centering unit for aligning the second pipe relative to the first pipe and a transport device for moving along a longitudinal axis of the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung. According to a second aspect, the invention relates to a method for producing a pipeline.

Pipe Innenzentriervorrichtungen be used in piping, ie in particular also in pipeline construction. They serve to center a pipe to be newly welded relative to the already existing section of pipe for subsequent welding. Centering has the purpose of aligning the pipe to be newly welded to the already existing section of the pipe so that form deviations of the pipes lead to the least possible loss of quality during subsequent welding.

Due to the variety of weld joints to be made in a pipeline, the speed with which the weld can be made plays a major role in the cost and construction time of the pipeline. However, since the quality of the welds must not be adversely affected, so far only relatively small progress has been made in increasing productivity.

The invention has for its object to accelerate the construction of pipelines without loss of quality.

The invention solves the problem by a generic pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung having an activatable rotating device by means of which the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung is rotatable about its longitudinal axis.

According to a second aspect, the invention solves the problem by a method of manufacturing a pipeline, comprising the steps of (i) centering a first pipe relative to a second pipe by means of a pipe internal centering device according to the invention, (ii) welding the second pipe to the first pipe (iii) moving the inner tube centering device along its longitudinal axis by means of the transport device, (iv) activating the rotating device, (v) aligning the inner tube centering device by rotating about its longitudinal axis and (vi) deactivating the rotating device.

When building a pipeline, you first lay out the pipes. If pipes are to be bent, bend them accordingly. Then you weld the pipes together. This is often not parallel at all joints, but starting at the first pipe along the pipeline. The inner pipe centering device is preferably driven in the tube from pile to pile, in straight as in curved pipes. The in-line centering device is preferably sized to provide pipe bends corresponding to the Standard API 5L (American Petroleum Institute, 49 CFR 192.113, Specification for Land Pipe, as of October 1, 2015) were dimensioned (distance of the bending steps, angle of bending), can drive through. In particular, the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung is dimensioned so that a tube is durchfahrbar whose bending radius is at least forty times the pipe diameter, wherein the bending steps are preferably not greater than 1.5 °. Preferably, the pipeline Innenzentriervorrichtung is designed for passing through pipes with a diameter of at least 20 centimeters.

An advantage of the invention is that the production of the pipeline can be significantly accelerated without quality losses are to be feared. In fact, it has been found that known inner tube centering devices regularly rotate about their longitudinal axis when moving along their longitudinal axis by a small angular amount. It is believed that the reason for this is imperfection and contamination on the pipe inside the pipes. The problem has been solved by the fact that the pipeline Innenzentriervorrichtung is partially pulled out using a crane from the resulting pipeline. Thereafter, the piping Innenzentriervorrichtung is brought into its correct operating position and moved back into the pipe. This procedure is costly and can lead to damage to the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung.

Pipe Innenzentriervorrichtungen twist usually not only when driving through straight pipes, but especially for pipes that are bent. But she inevitably turns. If one of the tubes is followed by one with the same bending direction, then the inner tube centering device continues to rotate until at some point the longitudinal drive is no longer functioning properly. The in-line centering devices then often jam and, in the worst case, must be released from the pipe with machine power. The pipe internal centering device according to the invention makes it possible to always keep the transport device in the correct position.

It is a further advantage that aligning the in-line centering device with very little technical effort is possible. Thus, it is sufficient to design a part of the transport device, by means of which the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung is movable along its longitudinal axis, movable in the radial direction. This can be done for example by means of a pneumatic cylinder and / or a hydraulic cylinder, in particular if other components of the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung be operated pneumatically and / or hydraulically. The significant improvement in productivity is therefore associated with only a small additional design effort.

Another advantage is that the quality of the welded joints can be increased. The fact that the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung can be aligned with very little effort, the alignment can often be performed. The resulting lower average deviation of the radial position of the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung from the predetermined operating position leads to improved reproducibility in setting the welds and thus to a higher quality.

In the context of the present description, the centering unit is understood in particular to mean a device which can be positively connected to the first tube and the second tube and which is designed such that the two tubes can be centered relative to one another. In particular, the centering unit is designed for coaxial alignment of the first tube relative to the second tube. For example, the centering unit comprises a first centering ring for fitting in the first tube and a second centering ring for fitting in the second tube, wherein the first centering ring is aligned coaxially relative to the second centering ring. It is then possible to connect the first centering ring with the first tube and the second centering ring with the second tube, so that the tubes are then centered to each other. Such a centering unit belongs to the prior art and will therefore not be explained in detail below. It is possible that the Zentrierkränze are relatively movable by motor.

The transport device is understood in particular to mean a device by means of which the pipeline internal centering device can be moved automatically along the longitudinal axis of the pipeline internal centering device. The longitudinal axis of the pipe internal centering device during operation of the pipe internal centering device, which may also be called pipe internal centering, corresponds to a pipe longitudinal axis of the pipe in which the pipe internal centering device is located. As a rule, this transport device comprises at least one transport roller, but the transport device may also comprise, for example, a crawler drive or another propulsion device.

A rotary device is understood in particular to mean a device by means of which the pipeline internal centering device is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. Of course, also known inner tube centering devices are rotatable about their longitudinal axis using a sufficiently large torque when the torque is so great that the transport device is moved transversely to its intended direction of movement. A rotating device, however, is understood to mean otherwise a device which is designed so that it allows rotation about the longitudinal axis due to their construction. In particular, the rotating device comprises a sliding element, for example transverse rollers or at least one sliding friction element which, on its side facing the tube, consists of a material which has a small coefficient of friction with steel, for example less than 0.1.

The transport device is preferably in a rest position in which the pipeline Innenzentriervorrichtung is rotatable about its longitudinal axis by means of the rotating device, and in a transport position in which the pipeline Innenzentriervorrichtung by means of the transport device in the longitudinal axis is movable, brought formed.

It is favorable if the rotary device can be activated, that is to say that the pipe internal centering device has a drive which can be brought into a first position in which the pipe internal centering device is movable by means of the transport device and can be brought into a second position, in which the pipe internal centering device is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. This drive can act on the turning device, but this is not necessary. According to a preferred embodiment of this drive acts on the transport device, as will be described below.

The rotary device can - which represents an aspect of the invention - have a rotary drive, by means of which the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung is rotatable about its longitudinal axis. The rotary drive may comprise, for example, a compressed air motor.

According to a preferred embodiment, the transport device comprises at least one transport roller whose axis of rotation extends transversely to the longitudinal axis. The transport roller is preferably movable radially inwardly by a motor. In other words, the transport roller can be brought into a longitudinal transport position, which could also be called a transport position, in which it determines the weight of the pipeline internal centering device receives, so that it is movable along the Längsache. The transport roller can also be brought into a rest position in which it does not support the weight of the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung and does not hinder rotational movement of the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung to the Längsache. If the at least one transport roller is in the transport position, the transport device is in the transport position. If the at least one transport roller is in the rest position, the transport device is also in the rest position.

It is advantageous if the transport device has a drive by means of which the at least one transport roller can be moved radially inward and radially outward. Under the feature that the at least one transport roller is movable radially inwardly, is understood in particular that the movement has at least one radial component. It is possible that the transport roller simultaneously moves in the circumferential direction during its radial inward movement.

Preferably, the transport roller is disposed below a center of gravity of the pipe internal centering device. This is to be understood in particular as meaning that a center of gravity plane which runs vertically and in which the center of gravity of the inner pipe centering device lies is through which at least one transport roller passes. It is advantageous, but not necessary, that this center of gravity passes through all the transport rollers. If the transport roller is arranged below the center of gravity, it can be moved in a particularly simple manner so that the rotary device is activated.

It is favorable if the transport roller is pneumatically radially movable. Many in-line centering devices have pneumatic drives. It can therefore be used an already existing compressed air source to supply the drive for the transport roller with compressed air.

It is favorable if the rotary device has at least three, in particular at least four, transverse rollers, the axes of rotation of which extend along the longitudinal axis of the pipeline internal centering device. The feature that the axes of rotation extend along the longitudinal axis, is understood in particular that it is advantageous if the angle between the axes of rotation and longitudinal axis is as small as possible, but that deviations are possible. Preferably, the angles between the axes of rotation and the longitudinal axis are less than 10 °, in particular 5 °. Of course, it is possible that each of the axes of rotation encloses a different angle with the longitudinal axis. Such a turning device is particularly simple and robust, so that they work safely even under the often harsh conditions on construction sites.

It is possible and constitutes a preferred embodiment that the transverse rollers are fixed relative to each other and are attached, for example, to a common frame. It is advantageous if the transverse rollers are mounted radially immovable and collectively have an outer circle.

Alternatively or additionally, the rotating device comprises a drive by means of which at least a part of the transverse rollers is automatically radially inwardly and outwardly movable. In this case, the at least one transport roller may be arranged at the bottom of the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung. When the at least one transport roller has retracted, the inner tube centering device rests on the transverse rollers. When the at least one transport roller is extended, the inner tube centering device rests thereon and can be moved.

Preferably, the transport roller, in particular motor, in a transport position in which it projects at least partially beyond the outer circle, and in a rest position in which it is disposed completely within the outer circle, brought. The outer circle is that imaginary circle of minimum diameter, which surrounds the transport rollers radially outside and cuts none of the transport rollers. The outer circle diameter thus corresponds to the inner diameter of the smallest possible tube, in which the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung can be arranged when the at least one transport roller is in its rest position.

Preferably, the at least one transport roller is spaced from the longitudinally forward end of the in-line centering device so that the in-line centering device is manually rotatable. For this purpose, the front end can be gripped and rotated. Preferably, the rotating device is configured such that a torque necessary for rotating the pipe internal centering device is at most 250 Newton meters when the rotating device is activated and / or when the transport device is at rest.

Preferably, a center of gravity of the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung in its operating position below an outer circle center of the outer circle of the transport device. This makes it easier to bring the pipe internal centering device into its aligned position. In particular, it is favorable if the rotary device is formed so smoothly that the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung moves when activating the rotating device at least partially automatically in the aligned position.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. It shows

1a A first embodiment of a pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung with activated rotating device according to the invention,

1b a longitudinal section along AA through the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung according to 1a with inactive turning device and active transport device,

1c the longitudinal section according to 1b with active turning device and inactive transport device,

1d a schematic view of the position of the centers and centers of components of the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung and

2 a perspective, true to scale representation of the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung.

1a shows a piping Innenzentriervorrichtung invention 10 that is a centering unit 12 and a transport device 14 having. The centering unit 12 includes a first centering ring 16 that has a majority of clamping elements 18.1 . 18.2 , ... includes (see 1b ). The clamping elements 18 (Reference signs without counting suffix refer in each case to all corresponding objects) may be provided by a tensioning drive 20 be pressed radially outward.

The centering unit 12 also has a second centering ring 24 , the clamping elements 26.1 , ..., which also by means of the tensioning drive 20 are movable radially outward. By pressing the tensioning drive 20 can the in-line centering device 10 with it on an inner surface 26 a first pipe 28 be fixed. Regardless, the in-line centering device 10 by means of the first centering ring 16 on the inner surface 22 a second tube 30 be fixed. The two centering rings 16 . 24 are arranged coaxially. Means of the pipe centering device 10 can therefore be the first pipe 28 and the second tube 30 be aligned coaxially relative to each other.

The transport device 14 includes a first transport roller 32.1 and a second transport roller 32.2 attached to a drive 33 are fixed and their radial distance r ₃₂ to a longitudinal axis L by a drive 34 is changeable. The drive 34 is formed in the present case by a pneumatic cylinder. 1a shows the transport device 14 in their transport position, in which the transport rollers 32 have the maximum radial distance from the longitudinal axis L.

The pipe centering device 10 has a center of gravity S, which is above the transport roller 32.2 is arranged.

1a also shows that the pipe centering device 10 a front cage 36 has, at a front in a processing direction B end 38 is arranged. The front cage 36 has several spars 40.1 . 40.2 , ..., which can be grasped by hand to apply a torque M for rotation about the longitudinal axis L. 1a also shows a compressed gas storage 42 in which in the present case compressed air for actuating in particular the drive 34 as well as the tensioning drive 20 is held up.

1b shows a cross section along the line AA according to 1a , It can be seen that the transport device 14 a third transport role 32.3 having. The transport wheels 32.2 . 32.3 are arranged at equal angular intervals to a Lot T. In other words, the angles φ32.2 and φ32.3 are equal in magnitude in technical terms, that is, deviations from the mathematical equality are possible, but not desirable.

1b shows that the transport device 14 also a drive roller 44 possesses, by means of the pipeline Innenzentriervorrichtung 10 along the longitudinal axis L (see. 1a ) can be moved. 1a shows a propulsion engine 46 , which, in the present case by means of a chain drive, with the drive roller 44 coupled to drive. The drive roller 44 can by means of an actuator 47 against the inner surface 26 (please refer 1a ) and driven radially inwards.

In the in 1b shown position, the clamping elements 18 no contact with the inner surface 22 , The transport device 14 is in transport position as the transport rollers 32 and the drive roller in its transport position. The pipe centering device 10 is therefore by means of the transport device 14 along the longitudinal axis L movable. In the transport position carries the at least one transport role 32.2 . 32.3 the weight of the pipe centering device 10 ,

1c shows the piping Innenzentriervorrichtung 10 according to 1b in which the transport device 14 is in their rest position. The transport wheels 32 have such a small radial distance from the center of the tube 30 that they no longer absorb any weight. Instead, the tubing inner centering device rests 10 on a turning device 48 , the cross rollers 50.1 . 50.2 , ... includes.

Every cross roll 50 has a rotation axis D ₅₀ , which runs parallel to the longitudinal axis L at least to a good approximation. Is the transport device 14 in its rest position, therefore, the pipeline Innenzentriervorrichtung 10 on the cross rollers 50 be easily rotated about its longitudinal axis L.

The cross rollers 50 are radially immovably mounted and collectively have an outer circle K. Is the transport device 14 , as in 1b shown in their transport position, so the transport rollers protrude 32 beyond this outer circle K. Is the transport device 14 , as in 1c shown in the rest position, they are completely disposed within the outer circle K.

1d shows the position of the outer circle center point M _{K of} the outer circle K and the center of gravity S of the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung 10 ,

2 shows a perspective view of the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung 10 ,

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

10

 Pipeline self-centering device

12

 centering

14

 transport device

16

 Zentrierkranz

18

 clamping element

20

 tensioning drive

22

 inner surface

24

 second centering ring

26

 inner surface

28

 first pipe

30

 second pipe

32

 transport roller

33

 drive

34

 drive

36

 front cage

38

 front end

40

 Holm

42

 Compressed gas storage

44

 capstan

46

 propulsion engine

47

 actuator

48

 rotator

50

 handscroll

d

 Got over

E _S

 Gravity plane

K

 outer circle

L

 longitudinal axis

M

 torque

S

 main emphasis

T

 solder

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited non-patent literature

• Standard API 5L [0007]

Claims (10)

Pipe centering device for centering a first pipe ( 28 ) relative to a second tube ( 30 ), with (a) a centering unit ( 12 ) for aligning the second tube ( 30 ) relative to the first tube ( 28 ), and (b) a transport device ( 14 ) for moving along a longitudinal axis (L) of the pipe centering device ( 10 ), characterized by (c) a rotating device ( 48 ) by means of the in-line centering device ( 10 ) is rotatable about its longitudinal axis (L). Pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung according to claim 1, characterized in that the transport device ( 14 ) at least one transport roller ( 32 ), - whose axis of rotation (D ₃₂ ) extends transversely to the longitudinal axis (L) and - is movable radially inwardly. Pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung according to claim 2, characterized in that the at least one transport roller ( 32 ) below a center of gravity (S) of the pipe centering device ( 10 ) is arranged. Pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the at least one transport roller ( 32 ) is pneumatically and / or hydraulically radially movable. Pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the rotary device ( 48 ) at least three, in particular at least four, transverse roles ( 50 ), whose axes of rotation (D ₅₀ ) extend along the longitudinal axis (L). Pipe internal centering device according to claim 5, characterized in that (a) transverse rollers ( 50 ) are radially immovably mounted and collectively have an outer circle (K) and (b) at least one of the at least one transport roller ( 32 ), in particular a motor in - a transport position in which it projects at least partially beyond the outer circle (K), and - a rest position in which it is disposed completely within the outer circle (K), can be brought. Pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung according to any one of the preceding claims 2 to 6, characterized in that the at least one transport roller ( 32 ) from a longitudinal end (L) front end of the pipe centering device ( 10 ) is spaced so far that the in-line centering device ( 10 ) is rotatable by hand. Pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a center of gravity (S) of the pipe Innenzentriervorrichtung ( 10 ) in its operating position below an outer circle center point (M _K ) of the outer circle (K) of the transport device ( 14 ) lies. Method for producing a pipeline, comprising the steps of: (i) centering a first tube ( 28 ) relative to a second tube ( 30 ) by means of a pipe internal centering device ( 10 ) according to one of the preceding claims, (ii) welding the second tube ( 30 ) with the first tube ( 28 ), (iii) moving the inner tube centering device ( 10 ) along its longitudinal axis (L) by means of the transport device ( 14 ), (iv) activating the rotary device ( 48 ), (v) Aligning the In-Line Centering Device ( 10 ) by turning about its longitudinal axis (L) and (vi) deactivating the rotating device ( 48 ). Method according to claim 9, characterized in that the rotation of the pipe internal centering device ( 10 ) done by hand.

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