DE102015212968A1 - Method and apparatus for calibrating the ends of metallic pipes - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method and a device for calibrating the ends of metallic, in particular longitudinally welded pipes, wherein on the outer and inner circumference of the pipe end attacking and cooperating outer and inner tools are provided, of which at least one tool with a straightening force against the pipe wall acted upon is. It is intended to provide such a method and such a calibration device with which, in a simple manner, in particular local roundness deviations and also ovalities at the pipe ends of the entire production spectrum, ie. H. especially in smaller-diameter and thick-walled pipes that make high forces necessary in a limited space can eliminate. For this purpose, the outer and inner tools are applied after hitting against the Rohraußen- or pipe inner wall together applied inside the pipe inside straightening forces against the pipe walls, wherein the internally applied straightening forces passed through the pipe wall, diverted by interaction with an outer frame construction and to act on the pipe wall are returned.

Description

Method and apparatus for calibrating the ends of metallic, in particular longitudinally welded pipes, wherein on the outer and inner circumference of the pipe end engaging and cooperating outer and inner tools are provided, of which at least one tool with a straightening force against the pipe wall can be acted upon

In the manufacture of pipes or large pipes of sheet metal, which are formed by the U-O-E process, the compression molding process, the 3-roll bending process or the like to form a round slotted tube and then welded, initially only limited particular roundness and straightness tolerances can be achieved. A thus produced tube that is not sufficiently round in the molding and in particular due to the delay in welding processes usually odd (banana shape) is formed, requires to achieve a required roundness and straightness subsequent calibration and straightening. As has been shown in large pipe fabrication, the problem of excessive roundness and straightness deviations is particularly apparent for smaller diameters (below about 610 mm), and / or thicker walled pipes (above 25 mm) and / or high strength pipes (above 635 MPa).

In particular, pipes for use as "linepipes" are therefore usually calibrated and directed by means of an expansion process, such as DE-PS 2 264 207 known.

The actual expander tool is usually made of a pyramidal polygon, on the lateral surface of individual segments are arranged. By moving the Vielkantes relative to the segments they are moved radially, so that thereby increases the diameter of the expander head and the tube expands. The tubes, for example up to 18 m long, are gradually widened, calibrated and straightened in this way.

In the production of pipes with increasing wall thicknesses, z. B. over 25 mm, and higher material strengths, as they are more and more required, encounter the usual manufacturing processes such. As the above-described expanding or reducing calibration and 3- / 4-Walzenkalibrierbiegen to its limits. Depending on the system configuration, they can no longer fully meet the requirements for all products in order to ensure an efficient, flexible (smaller and larger lots) and thus cost-effective tube production process. In particular, the roundness properties at the pipe ends are of particular importance because local roundness deviations, eg. As occurring in the region of the longitudinal seam roofs or shallow places at the transition areas to the original sheet metal edges and ovalities, which lead to errors in the subsequent welding together of individual pipes for the production of piping to the welds.

To improve the roundness of the pipe ends, ie each about the last 100 mm of the pipe, is from the DE 20 2009 001 348 U1 a calibration device of the generic type known. The acting and cooperating on the outer and inner circumference of the pipe end and cooperating tools are cylindrical, rotatably mounted, fixed to each other positionable, arranged in the tube circumferential direction and acting only on the pipe end roller body. The inner tool may comprise one or two rollers cooperating with two or three rollers as outer tool, the inner tool rollers are acted upon against the outer tool rollers and the tube end of one or more three-point bending deformations is subjected by rolling rounds. However, the straightening force to be applied by the inner tool is only very limited by the bearing of the rollers and an overbend to compensate for springback is not possible because the rollers must be set to the spring-back ideal radius. Furthermore, inner and outer seam peaks would have to be removed beforehand.

To eliminate local discontinuities at pipe ends is by the EP 2 380 673 A1 a pliers-like calibration device has become known. This has an arranged on an L-shaped, engaging in the tube arm inner tool and an external tool which is arranged on an arm-spanning, ceiling-like hood. In this case, the outer tool, which is acted upon by a hydraulic unit to apply the straightening force, is pressed against the tube wall and subsequently pressed against the inner tool. Because of the disadvantageous leverage and only low rigidity and this calibration can apply only a limited straightening force.

The invention has for its object to provide a method and a calibration device of the generic type with which in a simple manner in particular local Rundessabweichungen and qualities at the pipe ends of the entire product spectrum, d. H. especially in smaller-diameter and thick-walled pipes that make high forces necessary in a limited space can eliminate.

This object is achieved by a method according to the invention in that the outer and the inner tools after hiring against the Rohraußen- or pipe inner wall are acted upon jointly applied by the inside of the pipe straightening forces against the pipe walls, wherein the inside applied straightening forces passed through the pipe wall, redirected by interaction with an outer frame and returned to the action on the pipe wall.

The thus simultaneous and joint action on the inner and outer tools by passing the forces through the tube wall and their shortcuts through the outer frame, which absorbs the deformation forces, allows a pipe end calibration with very high straightening forces, z. B. about 10000 KN. It can therefore also realize the high forces required for thick-walled pipes.

An advantageous proposal of the invention provides that the tube is pre-positioned by turning about its longitudinal axis so that a local roundness deviation to be eliminated is in the 12 o'clock position in the region of an upper outer and upper inner tool. The tube can in this case in a processing station, for. B. on a rotating device in the transverse transport, possibly on a roller table, are, so that can bring targeted tools for use.

It goes without saying, however, that the tube can also be turned to any other position if this is technically and constructively advantageous.

According to a preferred proposal, the pipe end to be calibrated is supported by a means which can be brought from below against the tube outer wall. The pipe support can simultaneously compensate for height to be calibrated with different diameters pipes.

It is advantageously proposed that the straightening forces are applied by a spreading means which can be inserted temporarily into the pipe end, in particular vertical spreading means, which lower a lower inner tool until it rests against the pipe inner wall before applying the straightening forces. Regardless of the diameter of the pipe to be straightened so that at least the lower inner tool from the beginning has a direct contact with the pipe inner wall.

An apparatus for solving the problem underlying the invention is characterized in that a calibrating device is provided with a tube frame enclosing the tube end with air, closed frame construction in which spaced from each other a respective engageable against the tube outer wall first and further, supported external tool provided are, wherein the first and further outer tool aligned with them a first and a further inner tool cooperate, which rest against the pipe inner wall and are arranged on a guided at least indirectly on the side walls of the frame structure spreader.

As well as the outer tools and the inner tools are at least partially radially to the pipe longitudinal extension relative to the pipe outer wall or the pipe inner wall can be adjusted or displaced.

The first outer tool is preferably an upper, in the case of the further outer tool a lower outer tool, in the first inner tool is an upper inner tool and in the other inner tool is a lower inner tool, so that the tools as a whole are extremely compact in the present device can be integrated.

In this respect, the present spreader can be structurally particularly simple configured as a vertical spreader, so that the inner tools are then arranged on a at least indirectly raised on the side walls of the frame structure and lowered guided vertical spreader.

Optionally, the calibration device can also be designed to be mobile.

The mobility of the calibration device, z. B. arranged on a movable by means of shingles on metallurgical base or mounted in a crane, advantageously allows their integration at any point in the possibly automated production flow longitudinally welded pipes to, for. For example, after expanding or reducing calibration, the tube end calibration, which then, for example, a water pressure test and ultrasonic acceptance test can follow.

The closed frame construction or the outer frame absorbs the straightening or deforming forces applied by the spreading device and simultaneously redirects them to all tools by short-circuiting. For processing of both pipe ends, two such devices may be arranged in a line or one after the other.

A lifting and lowering of the spreader allows in a simple way on the one hand an adaptation to different pipe diameters of the pipes to be calibrated; on the other hand, the lowering of the spreader with the lower inner tool to the pipe inner wall, before then the straightening forces are applied.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the spreader comprises one of a cylinder, preferably hydraulic cylinder, acted upon, projecting into the interior of the pipe, the internal tools lifting or lowering wedge slide on. The interlocking of the calibration alone with the upper and lower inner tool into the tube interior wedge slide, the inner tools may be located at a smallest occurring pipe diameter, if necessary, slidably directly on the wedge slide, requires only a small space and still brings the required, very high Forces, which can be determined by the selected wedge angle, depending on the cylinder adjustment force. By pulling on the wedge slide by means of the cylinder, the lower and the upper inner tool to raise the tube forming forces or straightening forces are raised or expanded accordingly. To calibrate the pipe ends of larger diameter pipes, a length adjustment can be done by an adapter piece, which rests on the wedge slide and carries at its other end the upper inner tool.

According to an advantageous proposal of the invention, the cylinder is flanged to a provided relative to the pipe end behind the closed frame construction lifting block, the lifting block seen in the direction of the calibration on the tube end on the left and right side with projecting vertical columns arranged on the side walls of the frame structure guides is trained. All components of the spreading, with the exception of the wedge slide with the upper and lower inner tool, thus without spatial interference of the pipe end, which can be passed over unhindered by the frame structure, arranged. By means of the guides or the like guiding means, the lifting block and thus the spreading device can be set to a desired height dimension corresponding to the respective pipe diameter, with or without simultaneous weight compensation.

An embodiment of the invention provides a support of the pipe end and the lower outer tool, which is designed as a spindle-driven, the pipe end unterfahrender flat wedge. By designing the wedge angle of the flat wedge to be adjusted by a screw jack, height compensation can be made and the difference between a small and a large tube compensated, the tubes advantageously being provided on a means, preferably in the form of driven rollers, for rotating the tube.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the invention an upper outer tool hiring and holding in abutment position on the pipe outer wall screw jack is provided. In particular, a saw-threaded spindle of the lifting gear is suitable, which ensures a corresponding to the very high straightening forces holding force for the upper outer tool.

Further features and details of the invention will become apparent from the claims and the following description of illustrated in the drawings embodiments of the invention. Show it:

1 a schematic side view of a calibration device for eliminating over-circumference local roundness deviations of the pipe ends of metallic pipes;

2 the calibration device of 1 seen in a front view from the right;

3 a schematic diagram of the over an outer, closed frame construction of the calibration shorted, applied from the inside of the tube, passed through the pipe wall and diverted to the tools straightening forces here in a front view with power flow and directional triangle in the variant for calibrating a roof shape;

4 a schematic representation as previously in 3 in contrast, in the variant for calibrating flat locations of the pipe end;

5 the object of 3 or the 4 in a longitudinal section side view;

6 a schematic diagram to eliminate global qualities of the pipe end;

7 as a detail of the calibration device, the tool arrangement for calibrating a diameter-large, positioned on a roller-rotating device tube;

8th a representation like in 7 in contrast, for calibrating the pipe end of a medium diameter pipe; and

9 a representation as before in the 7 and 8th in contrast, for calibrating the pipe end of a small diameter pipe.

In the embodiment of the 1 and 2 is a calibration device 1 for eliminating local discontinuities at the pipe ends of metallic pipes 2a . 2c shown, which at least in this embodiment with a vehicle chassis or chassis 3 and wheels stored in it 4 on the hut floor 5 movable and therefore mobile.

The calibration device 1 or in this embodiment especially the vehicle undercarriage 3 has a closed frame construction 6 trained construction.

At the remote from the pipe end, rear side of the frame construction 6 is a lifting block 7 arranged, the left and right sides with projecting, rectangular in cross-section vertical columns 8a . 8b (in 2 dashed lines) is provided.

The lifting block 7 is powered by synchronized drives 9a . 9b raised or lowered and by means of the flat sides of the vertical columns 8a . 8b running upper and lower guides 10a . 10b guided, with these guides 10a . 10b are configured in this embodiment as a three-roller guides.

The guides 10a . 10b are in carrier walls 11a . 11b . 11c mounted, as a cross-sectionally U-shaped unit, each with a U-profile flange as a support wall 11a on the side cheeks 12a . 12b the frame structure are attached.

At the lifting block 7 is a cylinder 13 a spreader 14 flanged, which also has a guided through the frame window to the front wedges 15 having, with the through a through hole of the lifting block 7 protruding piston rod 16 of the cylinder 13 connected is.

On the wedge gate 15 is a lower interior tool 17a and an upper interior tool 17b arranged to calibrate the pipe end with an upper outer tool 18a and a lower outer tool 18b interact.

The upper outer tool 18a is from a spindle 19 a screw jack 20 employed to the pipe outer wall, while the lower outer tool 18b from a flat wedge 21 is supported and held by one on the vehicle undercarriage 3 arranged spindle drive 22 can be acted upon.

To calibrate a pipe end is the pipe 2a , b, c in one by rolling 23a . 23b arranged turning device, as specifically in the 2 and 7 to 9 well shown.

The calibration device 3 is moved over the end of the pipe until this is in the effective range of the tools of the closed frame construction 6 located.

Optionally, a calibration device 1 at each end of the pipe are used, if necessary, by staggered arrangements of two stations in the transverse transport for separate processing of both pipe ends.

The tube is now turned until a local out-of-roundness (roofing or flat spot), for example, in 12 o'clock position and thus in the effective range of the tools. In this respect, in this embodiment, with respect to the spreader 14 are also spoken of a vertical spreader, since the tools interact in a vertical direction aligned with the pipe.

The flat wedge 21 is by means of the spindle drive 22 for supporting the lower outer tool 18b adjusted under the pipe.

The spreader 14 is lowered depending on the diameter of the pipe to be machined until the lower inner tool 17a the pipe inner wall rests.

If the cylinder 13 then a train in the direction of the arrow 24 exercise, the lower and the upper inner tool 17a . 17b spread with very high power or in particular vertically raised or lowered.

The very large straightening forces generated thereby for the deformation of the non-circularities are transmitted from the inside through the pipe wall, from the closed frame construction 6 taken as well as diverted and for action via the external tools 18a . 18b recycled.

The upper outer tool 18a is doing by the spindle 19 of the screw jack 20 and the lower outer tool 18b is doing of the flat wedge 21 kept in position against the introduced high deformation or straightening forces.

The above, through interaction with the outer, closed frame construction 6 short-circuited power flow when applying the forming or straightening forces from the inside of the tube is in the 3 and 4 schematically clearly sketched.

The principle figure 3 shows the calibration of a roof mold (not shown) at the pipe end of the pipe 2 , wherein, forming a three-point straightening triangle, a one-saddle, upper outer tool 18a the roof shape against the then two-saddle, upper inner tool 17b presses on the target radius.

To calibrate flat spots (also not shown), the flat spot is replaced by the then single-saddle, upper inner tool 17b in the then two-saddle, upper outer tool 18a squeezed out, as exemplified in 4 outlined.

In any case, all tools by pulling the wedge slide 15 spread and supported by the power flow of the outer, closed frame construction 6 with very great deformation force to the plant inside and outside brought to the pipe wall or pipe walls (see. 5 ).

The mobile calibration device 1 the spreader 14 also allows the removal of ovalities, as exemplified in 6 indicated, the tube may possibly be offset several times.

The contours of all tools are optimized so that no excessive surface impressions arise. The change of the first or upper outer and inner tools according to the required one or two-saddle design is preferably carried out manually in a simple manner.

Local roundness deviations ( 3 and 4 ) before the global ovalities ( 6 ) or vice versa.

In the 7 to 9 is the pipe end calibration for differently sized pipes 2a . 2 B . 2c shown.

While calibrating a pipe 2c with a smallest diameter, the lower and upper inner tool directly on the wedge slide 15 can be arranged, is at a pipe 2 B with a larger diameter (see. 8th ) or a pipe 2a with a largest diameter (cf. 7 ) the greater distance through a correspondingly long distance insert 25a . 25b bridged, with the spacer inserts 25a . 25b at her from the wedge gate 15 far end with the upper inner tool 17b are equipped.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

calibration

2a, b, c

metallic tube

3

Vehicle undercarriage / chassis

4

wheel

5

mill floor

6

closed frame construction / outer frame

7

pusher block

8a, b

vertical column

9a, b

drive

10a

Upper guide or upper three-roller guide

10b

lower guide or lower three-roller guide

11a, b, c

support wall

12a, b

side cheek

13

cylinder

14

spreading

15

wedge slide

16

piston rod

17a

lower interior tool

17b

upper interior tool

18a

upper outer tool

18b

lower outer tool

19

spindle

20

Screw

21

flat wedge

22

spindle drive

23a, b

Roll / rotary device

24

Zugpfeil

25a, b

Distance insert

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 patent literature

• DE 2264207 [0003]
• DE 202009001348 U1 [0006]
• EP 2380673 A1 [0007]

Claims (11)

Method for calibrating the ends of metallic, in particular longitudinally welded pipes, wherein on the outer and inner circumference of the pipe end engaging and cooperating outer and inner tools are provided, of which at least one tool with a straightening force against the pipe wall can be acted upon, characterized in that the Exterior and interior tools ( 18a . 18b ; 17a . 17b ) are applied jointly against the pipe outer walls or pipe inner wall applied by the inside of the pipe applied straightening forces against the pipe walls, wherein the internally applied straightening forces passed through the pipe wall, by interaction with an outer frame construction ( 6 ) and returned to the action on the pipe wall. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the pipe ( 2a . 2 B . 2c ) is pre-positioned by turning about its longitudinal axis such that a local roundness deviation to be eliminated is at 12 o'clock position in the area of an upper outer and upper inner tool ( 18a . 17b ) is located. A method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the pipe end to be calibrated is supported by an engageable from below against the tube outer wall means for conditioning. Method according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the straightening forces of a retractable into the pipe end expanding means ( 14 ) are applied before the application of the straightening forces a lower inner tool ( 17a ) lowers to the support on the pipe inner wall. Apparatus for calibrating the ends of metallic, in particular longitudinally welded pipes, wherein on the outer and inner circumference of the pipe end attacking and cooperating outer and inner tools are provided, of which at least one tool with a straightening force against the pipe wall can be acted upon, in particular for performing the method according to claim 1, characterized in that a calibration device ( 1 ) with a closed frame construction enclosing the tube end with air during operation ( 6 ) is formed, in spaced from each other anstellbares against the tube outer wall first and further, supported outer tool ( 18a . 18b ) are provided, wherein the first and the further outer tool ( 18a . 18b ) with a first and a further inner tool aligned with them ( 17a . 17b ) interact, which bear against the pipe inner wall and on at least indirectly on the side cheeks ( 12a . 12b ) of the frame construction ( 6 ) guided spreading device ( 14 ) are arranged. Apparatus according to claim 5, characterized in that the spreader ( 14 ) one of a cylinder ( 13 ) acted upon, projecting into the pipe interior, the inner tools ( 17a . 17b ) raising or lowering wedge slide ( 15 ) having. Device according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the cylinder ( 13 ) at one with respect to the pipe end behind the closed frame construction ( 6 ) provided lifting block ( 7 ) is flanged, wherein the lifting block ( 7 ) in the direction of travel of the calibration device ( 1 ) seen on the tube end on the left and right sides with projecting vertical columns ( 8a . 8b ) for on the side cheeks ( 12a . 12b ) of the frame construction ( 6 ) arranged guides ( 10a . 10b ) is trained. Device according to one of claims 5 to 7, characterized in that a support of the lower outer tool ( 18b ) as a flat wedge that can be moved under the pipe end ( 21 ), in particular as a spindle-driven, the pipe end unterfahrender flat wedge ( 21 ), is trained. Device according to one of claims 5 to 8, characterized by an upper outer tool ( 18a ) adjusting and holding in abutment position on the tube outer wall screw jack ( 20 ). Device according to one of claims 5 to 9, characterized in that the calibration device ( 1 ) means for rotating the tube ( 5 ) assigned. Device according to one of claims 5 to 10, characterized in that the calibration device ( 1 ) can be integrated into the production flow of longitudinally welded tubes.

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