EP0348799A1 - Guiding device for pipe cleaning coils - Google Patents

Abstract

Guiding device for pipe cleaning coils which are composed of a steel wire helix wound with spaces in between and can be rotated about their axis by means of a driving machine. The guiding device is separate from the driving machine and has a guiding housing (1) with an inlet opening (9) and an outlet opening (10). Arranged in the guiding housing are a plurality of engaging jaws (18, 19, 20), which are distributed over the circumference of the helix axis, axially offset, and engage positively in the spaces in between the individual windings of the helix. To make it possible also to lead through the guiding device coils which are made up of a plurality of sub-sections by couplings, the axial distance between two successive engaging jaws (18/20 and 20/19) is greater than half the distance between the ends of two neighbouring coil sections, established by two interconnected coupling elements. The axial distance between two successive engaging jaws (18, 19, 20) is preferably greater than the said distance and at least one engaging jaw (20) on one side of the helix axis is aligned with its surfaces (23 and 24) engaging in the helix with the at least one space, extending in the direction of the helix axis, between at least two engaging jaws (18, 19) arranged on the other side of the helix axis. …<IMAGE>…

Description

The invention relates to a guide device for pipe cleaning spirals, which consist of a steel wire coil wound with gaps and are rotatable about its axis by means of a drive machine which is separate from the guide device, with a guide housing with an inlet opening at one end and an outlet opening for the spiral at the other end, with a plurality of engagement jaws arranged in the guide housing and positively engaging in the spaces between the individual windings of the spiral, which are distributed over the circumference of the spiral axis (AA) and are arranged axially offset according to the pitch of the spiral.

Such cleaning devices are referred to in specialist circles as "cleaning spirals", although - strictly speaking - they are so-called coils which are formed by winding a steel wire along a helix.

Devices for guiding spirals are known from EP-PS 0 061 003. These are hoses, drums or adapter magazines that only serve to hold the coils, but do not exert any feed forces on these coils.

The operation of such machines becomes very tedious when such a driven pipe cleaning spiral or helix is to be used for cleaning a correspondingly long downpipe. The vertical length of such downpipes can go over 15 to 20 floors, so that the cleaning spiral must have a total length of about 60 m. The cleaning spiral is assembled from parts during the ongoing cleaning by means of couplings and disassembled when the coil is withdrawn. These sections have a length of 4 to 5 meters and, depending on the spiral diameter used, a weight of between about 2 and 8 kg. With a total length of 60 m, this leads to a total weight between approximately 30 and 120 kg. This weight can only be controlled by the operator with great physical exertion or can no longer be controlled, so that the use of the pipe cleaning machines in question is increasingly problematic with downpipes having a large vertical length. Here is also to take into account that the cleaning spirals are withdrawn from the pipeline after work in a wet and / or dirty state, so that they are difficult to grasp.

It is known structurally to combine pipe cleaning machines with a driven storage drum for large lengths of spirals with an additional feed device for the spiral which engages positively in the spiral.

In such a drum machine according to US-A.3 246 354, the feed device is provided with a special V-belt drive, the speed of which must be matched to the drum speed (differential effect). Such a machine is complex and difficult to transport.

In another drum machine according to DE-A-2 416 310, the feed is effected by a jaw chuck and the size of the feed is controlled by a manually operated brake, the handling of which requires the operator's full attention.

Because of the large spiral length stored, these drum machines do not pose the problem of assembling a long spiral from relatively short partial lengths by means of couplings. For this, a high weight, combined with a not inconsiderable unwieldiness during transport and use, as well as the risk of a spiral breakage, which occurs when the spiral gets stuck during use and the drum due to its large moment of inertia it continues to rotate a few revolutions.

The feed coupling of the drum device according to DE-A-2 244 206 does not relieve the operator when retracting the spiral, since it is a pronounced hand-held device, so the retraction force must be absorbed by hand anyway.

From US-A-3 329 044 a guide device of the type described in the opening paragraph is known, that is to say a "passive" device which is separate from a drive machine and which uses the already necessary rotation of the spiral by the drive machine in order to achieve a feed effect in one direction and one Withdrawal effect in the other direction, ie after reversing the direction of rotation. However, this device cannot be used with such a pipe cleaning machine in which the entire spiral length is formed by assembling sections by means of couplings. The couplings cannot pass through the guide device as long as it exerts its advancing or retracting action. If the housing of the device were opened for the purpose of passing a coupling through, the positive engagement would be lost and the spiral would slip axially. The axial offset of the engaging elements also corresponds to only a fraction of the spiral pitch, because the engaging elements have to be arranged on a helix in order to avoid jamming. With three engagement elements, the axial offset corresponds to just a third of the spiral pitch, i.e. a few millimeters. The engaging elements thus form an absolute barrier to the passage of a clutch.

The invention is therefore based on the object of improving the guide device described at the outset in such a way that it can also be used in connection with pipe cleaning machines in which spirals are assembled from sections by means of couplings for reasons of transport and weight.

The object is achieved according to the invention in that the axial distance between two successive engagement jaws is greater than half of the distance "D" between the ends of two adjacent spiral sections caused by two interconnected coupling elements.

The axial distance between two successive engagement jaws is preferably greater than said distance "D".

A very particularly advantageous embodiment of the invention is characterized in that at least one engagement jaw lying on one side of the helix axis with its surfaces engaging in the helix on the at least one intermediate space extending in the direction of the helix axis between at least two on the other side of the helix axis arranged engagement jaws is aligned.

The guide housing with the engagement jaws acts on the one hand like a nut with respect to the steel wire helix, which in turn can be understood as a kind of "screw". The operator does not have to put in any physical effort.

On the other hand, the mother does not act like a lock on the couplings. Due to the arrangement of the engagement jaws according to the invention, the helix axis can follow a serpentine line. This is necessary at the moment when a coupling connecting two partial lengths of the helix, which has a cylindrical outer surface, runs through the guide housing. As soon as the coupling runs onto one of the engagement jaws, it can move laterally without the positive connection of the helix to the other engagement jaws being canceled. The helix axis is not laterally displaced on the other engagement jaws. As a result, the positive engagement - seen as a whole - is retained, i.e. a so-called "slipping" of the helix through the guide housing is excluded.

It is advantageous if the axial distance of the engagement jaws, based on the housing or helix axis, is selected to be so large that the coupling can never touch two engagement jaws at the same time.

It is also advantageous if the engagement jaws are designed in a cross section parallel to the helix axis “T-”, the flange of the “T” serving as a fastening flange and the web carrying the engagement surfaces for the helix.

It is furthermore advantageous if the engagement jaws have engagement surfaces that are axially and radially separated from one another in pairs for engagement in helix with different diameters and different winding spacings. In this way it is possible to use the same guide device for such different helices, for example for those with a diameter of 22 mm and 32 mm.

Finally, it is particularly expedient if the engagement surfaces run at an angle to the helix axis that corresponds to the pitch angle of the helix at its point of contact with the respective engagement surface. Ideally, the engagement surfaces have a shape that is complementary to the helix surface at their point of contact, i.e. the engagement jaws act like a sector made from a nut.

It is again particularly advantageous if the guide housing has a cuboid chamber with a base, side walls and a cover, and if the engagement jaws are arranged on the base and on the cover. If the cover is then removably or pivotably attached to the guide housing, the positive engagement can be canceled at least for the engagement jaw located on the cover, and the coil can then jump over the engagement jaws attached to the floor. This decouples the ratio of feed to speed of the helix.

Finally, the removable or swiveling cover is also used for maintenance work, including the introduction of lubricants. The engagement jaws are wearing parts, so that they have to be replaced at longer intervals. However, in order to be able to absorb the transverse movements of the helix due to reaction forces, interchangeable guide strips made of a wear-resistant material are expediently arranged on the side walls of the guide housing. The spiral of all the measures is thus guided within a cuboid space.

Finally, it is particularly advantageous if the guide housing has pipe sockets on both end faces of the chamber, one of which is designed as a 90 degree bend. If an interchangeable extension piece is then inserted into at least the downward end of the pipe socket designed as a bend, the guide device can be inserted into the mouth of the pipe to be cleaned itself, which results in optimal guidance of the helix during feed and retraction. In addition, a special frame for the guide device can be dispensed with in this way.

Further advantageous embodiments of the subject matter of the invention emerge from the remaining subclaims.

An embodiment of the subject matter of the invention is explained in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 1 to 5.

• Figur 1 einen Vertikalschnitt durch eine in Bereitschaftsstellung befindliche Führungsvorrichtung,
• Figur 2 eine teilweise geschnittene Draufsicht auf die Rohrreinigungs-Spirale mit einer Kupplung in vergrößertem Maßstab,
• Figur 3 eine Draufsicht auf den Gegenstand nach Figur 1 in Richtung des Pfeils III, jedoch bei abgenommenem Deckel,
• Figur 4 einen Vertikalschnitt durch den Gegenstand von Figur 1 entlang der Linie IV-IV in vergrößertem Maßstab, und
• Figur 5 eine teilweise perspektivische Ansicht der Führungsvorrichtung mit aufgeklapptem Deckel.

Show it:

• FIG. 1 shows a vertical section through a guide device in the standby position,
• FIG. 2 shows a partially sectioned top view of the pipe cleaning spiral with a coupling on an enlarged scale,
• 3 shows a plan view of the object according to FIG. 1 in the direction of arrow III, but with the cover removed,
• Figure 4 is a vertical section through the object of Figure 1 along the line IV-IV on an enlarged scale, and
• Figure 5 is a partial perspective view of the guide device with the lid open.

1 shows a guide housing 1 which has a cuboid chamber 2 which is delimited by a base 3, two side walls 4 and 5 and a cover 6. The chamber 2 is open at the end faces and continues there in the form of pipe sockets 7 and 8, in which there is an inlet opening 9 and an outlet opening 10. This choice of terms was chosen with regard to the introduction of the pipe cleaning spiral 11 according to FIG. 2. With regard to a withdrawal of the spiral 11, the reference numerals 9 and 10 can of course also be interchanged.

The pipe socket 8 is designed as a 90-degree elbow 12, so that the axis of the outlet opening 10 is aligned vertically. At the ends of the pipe sockets 7 and 8 there are coupling elements 13 and 14, which in the present case are designed as threads, and into which interchangeable extension pieces 15 and 16 are screwed. The axis of the extension piece 15 extends horizontally and is essentially aligned with the drive machine, not shown here, for the spiral 11 according to FIG. 2. The vertical axis of the extension piece 16 is inserted or inserted into the upper end of a pipe 17 to be cleaned, so that this pipe also represents the (only) holder for the guide housing 1.

Two engagement jaws 18 and 19 are fastened to the floor, while a further engagement jaw 20 is fastened to the cover 6. The attachment is done interchangeably by countersunk screws not specified.

The arrangement of the three engagement jaws 18, 19 and 20 shown is such that the two jaws 18 and 19 lying one behind the other in the direction of the helix axis are arranged on one side (below) of the helix axis AA, while the third engagement jaw 20 "is in a gap "is arranged centrally on the opposite side (above) of the helix axis AA.

The engagement jaws 18, 19 and 20 are T-shaped in a cutting plane running parallel to the helix axis AA, and have a flange 21 with which they are fastened on the base 3 or on the cover 6.

The web 22 carries at its free end engagement surfaces 23 for the helix 11. In the present case, the engagement jaws 18, 19 and 20 have axially and mutually spaced engagement surfaces 23 and 24 for engagement in helix 11 with different diameters and different winding spacings. As a result, the guide device can be used universally.

A connection element 48 for attaching or plugging onto a trestle or tripod is also attached to the guide housing. Two connecting elements 49 and 50 (threaded connector) are used to connect to a water pipe, for example to be able to clean a heavily soiled spiral when withdrawing. The rinse water then runs through the pipe 17. Axial parallel longitudinal ribs 51 increase the service life of the device with regard to premature wear due to the friction of the spiral on the guide housing (see also FIG. 4).

A coupling 25 with two coupling parts 26 and 27 is shown in FIG. The coupling part 27 has a T-shaped head piece 28 which can be inserted into a complementary, diametrical groove of the coupling part 26, a releasable locking taking place in such a way that the outer surfaces of the coupling parts 26 and 27 lie in a common cylindrical surface. With the two coupling parts 26 and 27 sections 29 and 30 of a helix 11 or pipe cleaning spiral are connected. These sections are between 4 and 5 m long. The coils are wound at a distance, ie the individual windings enclose intermediate spaces 31 into which the engagement jaws 18, 19 and 20 engage with their engagement surfaces 23 or 24 in a form-fitting manner.

The ends of two adjacent spiral sections 29 and 30 are at a distance "D" from one another which is filled by the main parts of the two coupling elements 26 and 27. The cone-shaped extensions 26a and 27a are not taken into account here, since they are set back far enough in the radius around the wire diameter. The distance "D" is decisive for the axial distance of the engagement jaws 18, 19 and 20.

It can be seen from FIG. 1 in connection with FIG. 2 that the assembled helix according to FIG. 1 can be inserted into the inlet opening 9 from the left with a suitable direction of rotation and can be guided over the engagement jaws 18, 19 and 20 with a corresponding rotation. As soon as the clutch 25 runs onto the engagement jaw 18, it makes a corresponding evasive movement upwards. By opening the cover 6, the insertion of the helix can be made considerably easier. With the cover 6 closed, the coupling 25 makes an evasive movement downwards when it comes into contact with the engagement jaw 20, and the play with the evasion upwards is repeated on the engagement jaw 19. It can be seen that the helix axis AA runs through different serpentine paths as it passes through the chamber 2, but this is in no way a hindrance to the axial advancement of the helix 11 in both directions of displacement.

FIG. 3 also shows that the pairs of engagement surfaces 23 and 24 run at an angle to the helix axis A-A which is different from 90 degrees, and this angle corresponds to the pitch angle of the helix at the point of contact with the respective engagement surface. In a particularly advantageous manner, the engagement surfaces 23 and 24 are curved in an arcuate manner and are complementary to the respectively immediately adjacent surface parts of the helix 11, so that the engagement jaws or their webs 22 represent sector-like cutouts from one nut each.

It can also be seen that in this case the longitudinal ribs 51 are not present, and instead replaceable guide strips 33 and 34 made of a wear-resistant material are arranged on the inner surfaces of the side walls 4 and 5. Like the longitudinal ribs in FIGS. 1 and 4, the guide strips prevent lateral deflection of the spiral 11 and are provided with inclined planes 35 at both ends in order to prevent the coupling 25 from getting caught. The guide strips 33 and 34 are also fastened by countersunk screws (not specified).

On the outside of the side wall 4 there are two cast eyelets 36 with bores 37 which enclose a gap 38 between them. The eye screw 39 of the closure element 32 is inserted into this gap 38 and held there by means of an articulated bolt 40. A nut 41 with a toggle 42 is rotatably arranged on the eye screw 39.

As can be seen in particular from FIGS. 4 and 5, the nut 41 is supported on two projections 43 of the cover 6, between which there is a recess 44 reaching to the edge for pivoting in the eyebolt 39. As a result, the cover 6 can be pressed down firmly when the toggle 42 is tightened.

On the outside of the opposite side wall 5 there are also - at a greater distance - two eyelets 45 with bores 46. A hinge part 46 cast onto the cover 6 can be inserted between the two eyelets 45 and fixed by means of a further hinge pin 47.

It can be seen in particular from FIG. 4 that the engagement jaws 18/19 on the one hand and 20 on the other hand, in conjunction with the lateral longitudinal ribs 51, form a rectangular frame in the projection, through which the spiral or helix 11 is reliably guided and held. By opening the cover 6, stiffness can be removed at any time (e.g. by oiling or greasing), the operating state can be observed and, if necessary, a coupling 25 can be assembled or disassembled.

FIG. 5, in which the connecting elements 49 and 50 are omitted, explains in particular the good accessibility of the chamber 2.

Numerous pipe cleaning tools can be used with the outermost or lowermost end of the spiral or helix connect, using the same coupling parts as shown in Figure 2. Possible tools are, for example: return drills, spiral sawtooth cutting heads, cross blade drills, root cutters, chain centrifugal heads, club drills, funnel drills, shovel drills and Widia drilling heads. Pipes with a so-called plastic core can also be used as pipe cleaning spirals.

Claims (18)

1. guiding device for pipe cleaning spirals (11), which consist of a steel wire coil wound with gaps and are rotatable about its axis by means of a drive machine, which is separate from the guiding device, with a guide housing (1) with an inlet opening (9) at one end and an outlet opening (10) for the spiral (11) at the other end, with a plurality of engagement jaws (18,) arranged in the guide housing (1) and positively engaging in the spaces (31) between the individual turns of the helix (11) 19, 20) distributed over the circumference of the helical axis (AA) and axially offset according to the slope of the spiral (11), characterized in that the axial distance between two successive engagement jaws (18, 19, 20) is greater than that Half of the distance "D" between the ends of two adjacent spiral sections (29, 30) due to two interconnected coupling elements (26, 27). 2. Guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that the axial distance between two successive engagement jaws (18, 19, 20) is greater than said distance "D". 3. Guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one on one side of the helix axis (AA) lying engagement jaw (20) with its engaging surfaces (23 or 24) on the at least one in the direction of the helix axis ( AA) extending space between at least two engagement jaws (18, 19) arranged on the other side of the helical axis. 4. Guide device according to claim 2, characterized in that three engagement jaws (18, 19, 20) are provided, two of which (18, 19) in the direction of the helical axis (AA) are arranged one behind the other on one side of the helical axis and of which the third engagement jaw (20) is arranged centrally on the opposite side of the spiral axis. 5. Guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that the engagement jaws {18, 19, 20) are formed in cross section parallel to the helix axis "T" -shaped, the flange (21) of the "T" serving as a mounting flange and the web ( 22) carries the engagement surfaces (23) for the helix (11). 6. Guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that the engagement jaws (18, 19, 20) in pairs axially and radially offset engagement surfaces (23 and 24) for engagement in helix (11) have different diameters and different turns. 7. Guide device according to claim 5, characterized in that the engagement surfaces (23 or 24) extend at an angle to the helix axis which corresponds to the pitch angle of the helix at its point of contact with the respective engagement surface. 8. Guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide housing (1) has a cuboid chamber (2) with a bottom (3), side walls (4, 5) and a cover (6), and that the engagement jaws (18, 19, 20) on the bottom (3) and on the cover (6). 9. Guide device according to claim 8, characterized in that on the side walls (4, 5) interchangeable guide strips (33, 34) made of a wear-resistant material are arranged. 10. Guide device according to claim 8, characterized in that the cover (6) is removably attached to the guide housing (1). 11. Guide device according to claim 10, characterized in that the lid (6) by means of a hinge part (46) on a side wall (5) of the chamber (2) articulated and connected to the opposite side wall (4) by a releasable closure element (32) is. 12. Guide device according to claim 8, characterized in that the guide housing (1) on the end faces of the chamber (2) has pipe sockets (7, 8), in which the inlet opening (9) and the outlet opening (10) for the coil ( 11). 13. Guide device according to claim 12, characterized in that the guide housing (1) has a manifold (12). 14. Guide device according to claim 12, characterized in that one of the pipe sockets (8) is designed as a 90-degree elbow. 15. Guide device according to claim 12, characterized in that at the ends of the pipe socket (7, 8) coupling elements (13, 14) for the use of interchangeable extension pieces (15, 16). 16. Guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide housing (1) is provided on its inner surfaces with axially parallel longitudinal ribs (51). 17. Guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that on the underside of the guide housing (1) a connecting element (48) for a support device is arranged. 18. Guide device according to claim 1, characterized in that the guide housing (1) has at least one connecting element (49, 50) for connection to a water pipe.

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