EP0634234A1 - Device for grooving tubes - Google Patents

Device for grooving tubes Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0634234A1
EP0634234A1 EP94420202A EP94420202A EP0634234A1 EP 0634234 A1 EP0634234 A1 EP 0634234A1 EP 94420202 A EP94420202 A EP 94420202A EP 94420202 A EP94420202 A EP 94420202A EP 0634234 A1 EP0634234 A1 EP 0634234A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
balls
cage
tube
grooving
arc
Prior art date
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Granted
Application number
EP94420202A
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German (de)
French (fr)
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EP0634234B1 (en
Inventor
Jean-Louis Sauvonnet
Franck Delavaquerie
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Trefimetaux SAS
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Trefimetaux SAS
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Publication of EP0634234A1 publication Critical patent/EP0634234A1/en
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21C—MANUFACTURE OF METAL SHEETS, WIRE, RODS, TUBES OR PROFILES, OTHERWISE THAN BY ROLLING; AUXILIARY OPERATIONS USED IN CONNECTION WITH METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL
    • B21C37/00—Manufacture of metal sheets, bars, wire, tubes or like semi-manufactured products, not otherwise provided for; Manufacture of tubes of special shape
    • B21C37/06—Manufacture of metal sheets, bars, wire, tubes or like semi-manufactured products, not otherwise provided for; Manufacture of tubes of special shape of tubes or metal hoses; Combined procedures for making tubes, e.g. for making multi-wall tubes
    • B21C37/15—Making tubes of special shape; Making tube fittings
    • B21C37/20—Making helical or similar guides in or on tubes without removing material, e.g. by drawing same over mandrels, by pushing same through dies ; Making tubes with angled walls, ribbed tubes and tubes with decorated walls
    • B21C37/207—Making helical or similar guides in or on tubes without removing material, e.g. by drawing same over mandrels, by pushing same through dies ; Making tubes with angled walls, ribbed tubes and tubes with decorated walls with helical guides
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B21—MECHANICAL METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL; PUNCHING METAL
    • B21C—MANUFACTURE OF METAL SHEETS, WIRE, RODS, TUBES OR PROFILES, OTHERWISE THAN BY ROLLING; AUXILIARY OPERATIONS USED IN CONNECTION WITH METAL-WORKING WITHOUT ESSENTIALLY REMOVING MATERIAL
    • B21C3/00—Profiling tools for metal drawing; Combinations of dies and mandrels
    • B21C3/16—Mandrels; Mounting or adjusting same

Definitions

  • the invention relates to the field of grooved tubes most often used as elements of heat exchangers in air conditioners.
  • the invention relates more particularly to devices for grooving the inner surface of tubes.
  • the subject of the invention is a device which solves the problems set out above, and which also allows high productivity, using a device which is economical in itself (investment) and has a long service life.
  • the Applicant has observed a radical change, on all the points raised in connection with the problems encountered with the prior art, from the moment when it simultaneously implemented the two essential means of invention, namely, on the one hand a cage whose active part (during grooving) has a particular internal profile specific to the invention, and on the other hand, lubrication of all the parts inside said cage .
  • the internal profile partly “conforms" to the curvature of the balls, which is entirely different from the prior art, where there are essentially "one-off" contacts of the ball / type. plan.
  • FIG. 1 represents a grooving device (1) of a tube (2) to be grooved according to the prior art (FIG. 2 of US Pat. No. 4,373,366 with references modified so that they are homogeneous with those of the this request).
  • FIGs 2a and 2b show, in axial section, a rotary cage (8) according to the invention.
  • the cage (8) is shown with the holding die (4) and the grooving mandrel (6).
  • Figure 2b shows an enlargement of the cage and balls of Figure 2a. These figures show neither the shaft (20) ensuring the rotation of the cage (8), nor, downstream, the finishing die (10), any more than the means allowing the lubrication of the interior. of the rotating cage (8).
  • FIG. 3 shows, in axial section, a complete grooving block (7) according to the invention, as well as the holding die (4) provided with means (23) for introducing a lubricant (25) upstream and in downstream of the support system.
  • Fixed parts the electromagnetic pin (19), the device (22) for lubricating the inside of the cage (8) which comprises a tube (21) coaxially supplying lubricant (25) to the downstream base (18) of said balls ( 9), as well as a casing (27) making it possible to recover the lubricant (25R) to be evacuated or recycled.
  • Rotating parts the shaft (20) which carries at its upstream end the rotary cage (8) fitted with a closing flange (12) which is mounted axially on the support part (11).
  • the flange (12) is perforated in places to allow the radial evacuation of the lubricant (25) circulating in the cage (8), under the action of centrifugal force.
  • FIGS. 4a to 4c represent, in axial half-section, three examples according to the invention of internal profile (26) of support parts (11):
  • the profile (26) consists of an arc of circle (13) tangentially connecting at a "high" point (15h) to a line segment 14h.
  • the angle alpha is 90 °
  • the angle beta angle of the bisector of the angle alpha relative to the oriented axis (3) is 135 °.
  • the profile (26) consists of an arc (13) tangentially connecting at a "high" point (15h) to a straight line (14h) and at a "low” point (15b ) to a line segment (14b).
  • the alpha angle is 70 ° and the beta angle is 125 °.
  • the gamma angle (angular coordinate of one end of said circular arc) is 160 ° and the gamma 'angle (angular coordinate of the other end of said circular arc) is 90 °.
  • the profile (26) consists only of an arc (13) of angle alpha equal to 90 °.
  • the support part (11) is provided with studs making it possible to reversibly fix the closing flange (12).
  • Figure 5 shows in section perpendicular to the axis (3) the interior of the grooving cage in the case of 6 balls (shown tangent to each other for convenience of construction).
  • said arc of circle (13) and said balls have neighboring radii of curvature.
  • neighbor is meant that the radius of curvature of the balls is less, by 5% at most, than that of said arc of a circle.
  • said interior profile (26) is preferable for said interior profile (26) to include minus a tangential connection of one end of said arc of a circle (13) and of a straight line segment (14h and / or 14b).
  • said interior profile (26) comprises a tangential connection called “top” (15h) of said circular arc (13) and of a straight line (14h) parallel to said axis (3), as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, so as to impose on said balls (9) a predetermined axial spacing, and in a way form a cage with a cylindrical wall, which is convenient for mounting and dismounting the cage, which ensures mechanical stability of the part even at very high rotational speed, and this contributes to ensuring the production of grooved tubes with stable geometric characteristics.
  • Said internal profile (26) may comprise a tangential connection called "bottom” (15b) of said arc of circle (13) and of a straight line segment (14b) making with said axis (3) an angle between 45 and 90 ° , and preferably between 70 and 90 °.
  • Such a connection creates a wedge-shaped space at the downstream base of the balls, which can facilitate the flow of the lubricant (25), brought by the tube (21) to the downstream base (18) of balls, between the balls ( 9) and the inner surface of said support part (11).
  • said circular arc (13) has an extent (angle alpha) of between 40 and 90 °, the angle of its bisectice with said axis (angle beta) being chosen so as to correspond substantially to the result of the forces of said balls against said bearing part (11), for a given running speed of said tube (2) and a given speed of rotation of said rotary cage (8).
  • angle alpha the angle of its bisectice with said axis
  • angle beta being chosen so as to correspond substantially to the result of the forces of said balls against said bearing part (11), for a given running speed of said tube (2) and a given speed of rotation of said rotary cage (8).
  • the balls have a degree of freedom in the axial direction, this is the reason why said closing flange (12), integral with said bearing part (11), leaves the balls (9) an axial clearance, typically a few mm.
  • the results are less good (faster wear) if the profile of the interior of the cage mechanically limits the degrees of freedom of the balls, as in the case of a ball bearing cage.
  • the second essential means of the invention relates to the lubrication of the balls and of the interior of said support part (11).
  • said means for lubricating the surfaces in contact allow, permanently, lubrication of the downstream base (18) of the balls so that lubricant constantly comes to come between balls and the internal surface of said bearing part (11), between balls and the grooving tube and between the balls between them.
  • Said grooving block comprises a fixed rotary spindle (19), electromagnetic or mechanical, actuating in rotation a shaft (20) integral with said cage (8), located at the upstream end of said shaft (20) (relative to the direction of scrolling of said tube).
  • Said lubricant supply of the downstream base (18) of said balls is obtained according to the invention using a lubrication device (22) of said cage (8) comprising a coaxial fixed tube (21) with a diameter between the outside diameter of said tube after grooving (2R) and the internal diameter of said shaft (20), tube supplied with lubricant at its downstream end and the upstream end of which is located at a short distance (typically a few mm) from the downstream base (18) of said balls ( 9). See figure (3).
  • the tube is supplied with lubricant at room temperature (but it could possibly be refrigerated), at a rate which varies according to the grooving conditions (speed of rotation of the cage and speed of travel of the tube), but in general at a rate which also allows the lubricant to act as a cooling agent for the balls and the cage.
  • said lubrication means also comprise a supply of lubricant to the upstream base (17) of said balls (9).
  • said supply of lubricant to the upstream base (17) of said balls is obtained using a lubrication device (23) of said holding die (4), upstream and downstream of that -this, so that the tube (2) penetrates, with a lubricated outer surface, into the grooving block.
  • said closing flange (12) of said cage (8) is chosen so that said balls cannot leave, in upstream axial direction, said bearing part (11), so that said flange (12) is easy to assemble with said support part or to separate from the latter, and to facilitate the circulation of lubricant in said cage. This is the reason why said flange has perforated or grooved parts, as can be deduced from FIG. 3.
  • the closing flange (12) allows a certain axial play to the balls.
  • the balls remain in said cage (8), even in the absence of a tube, even in the absence flange, which is of great practical convenience since the inspection or the change of the balls, the change of said rotary cage are very simple and take only a few minutes.
  • the materials of the balls and of the cage - in particular of the support part (11) - are not specific to the invention. These are generally hard materials, based on steel, but any material of low strain under stress, an alloy material other than an iron alloy, or ceramic could also be suitable.
  • the device according to the invention is suitable for grooving tubes whose diameter De can typically range from 3 mm to 30 mm or more.
  • Figures 2 to 5 describe modalities of devices according to the invention.
  • the tube had an outside diameter of 10.60 mm just upstream of the grooving block, and a diameter of 9.60 mm just downstream of the grooving block.
  • the running speed was also compared according to the various devices and it was observed that, in the case of the device in test 11, very high running speeds could be achieved, typically greater than 70 m / min and at least 30 % greater than that allowed by the device in test 22 or test 21.
  • the device according to the invention constitutes the ideal solution to all of the problems encountered by a person skilled in the art in grooving tubes with the devices of the prior art.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Metal Extraction Processes (AREA)
  • Rolling Contact Bearings (AREA)
  • Finish Polishing, Edge Sharpening, And Grinding By Specific Grinding Devices (AREA)
  • Constituent Portions Of Griding Lathes, Driving, Sensing And Control (AREA)

Abstract

The device (1) comprises a holding die (4) intended to hold, in position inside the said tube (2), a floating mandrel (5) equipped with a grooved mandrel (6), a grooving unit (7) comprising a rotating cage (8) enclosing balls (9), so as to form a grooved tube (2R), and a finishing die (10), and the device is characterised in that: a) the said cage (8) consists of a bearing part (11), the internal profile (26) of which, in axial cross-section, comprises a circular arc (13), and of a flange (12) for closing the said cage; b) lubrication means. <IMAGE>

Description

DOMAINE DE L'INVENTIONFIELD OF THE INVENTION

L'invention concerne le domaine des tubes rainurés le plus souvent utilisés comme éléments d'échangeurs thermiques dans les climatiseurs. L'invention concerne plus particulièrement des dispositifs pour rainurer la surface intérieure de tubes.The invention relates to the field of grooved tubes most often used as elements of heat exchangers in air conditioners. The invention relates more particularly to devices for grooving the inner surface of tubes.

ART ANTERIEURPRIOR ART

On connaît déjà des dispositifs pour rainurer des tubes dans les demandes japonaises n° 52-103905 (publication n° 61-59806), n° 54-10760 (publication n° 59-12365) et n° 55-19448 (publication n° 56-117827), dont certains sont repris dans le brevet US N° 4 373 366.
D'une manière générale, ces dispositifs de rainurage de tubes comprennent 3 éléments alignés selon l'axe du tube à rainurer :

  • en tête de ligne, une filière de maintien destinée à maintenir en position à l'intérieur du tube à rainurer un mandrin flottant muni d'une tringle dont l'extrémité libre porte un mandrin rainuré,
  • en aval de cette filière de maintien (référence au sens de défilement du tube à rainurer), un bloc de rainurage comprenant une cage rotative ceinturant des billes (ou des éléments à fonction équivalente) destinées à comprimer la paroi du tube contre ledit mandrin rainuré de manière à former un tube rainuré intérieurement,
  • et, en aval dudit bloc de rainurage, une filière de finition.

On appelle "cage", dans cette demande, la pièce du bloc de rainurage qui fait tourner les billes autour du tube à rainurer en les pressant contre la paroi du tube.Devices for grooving tubes are already known in Japanese applications n ° 52-103905 (publication n ° 61-59806), n ° 54-10760 (publication n ° 59-12365) and n ° 55-19448 (publication n ° 56-117827), some of which are included in US Patent No. 4,373,366.
Generally, these tube grooving devices include 3 elements aligned along the axis of the tube to be grooved:
  • at the head of the line, a holding die intended to hold in position inside the grooving tube a floating mandrel provided with a rod whose free end carries a grooved mandrel,
  • downstream of this holding die (reference to the direction of travel of the grooving tube), a grooving block comprising a rotating cage encircling balls (or elements with equivalent function) intended to compress the wall of the tube against said grooved mandrel of so as to form an internally grooved tube,
  • and, downstream of said grooving block, a finishing die.

Called "cage" in this application, the part of the grooving block which rotates the balls around the tube to be grooved by pressing them against the wall of the tube.

PROBLEME POSEPROBLEM

Lors de ses travaux sur le rainurage intérieur de tubes, la demanderesse a testé sur le plan expérimental les moyens déjà connus, en particulier ceux décrits à la figure 2 de la publication japonaise n° 55-103 215 (ou figure 2 du brevet US n° 4 373 366), et a fait, à cette occasion, les constatations suivantes :

  • * d'une part, la cage à billes (référence 17 sur la figure 2 du brevet US n° 4 373 366) ne permet ni une introduction aisée des billes, ni un maintien des billes en position en l'absence de tube à rainurer. En effet, avec ce type de cage, rien ne permet de retenir les billes en position, compte tenu du jeu nécessaire pour les introduire dans la cage.
  • * d'autre part, on a noté un marquage de la cage dû à la pression des billes qui a entraîné des variations de dimensions telles qu'une production de lots de qualité régulière était difficilement envisageable.
  • * en outre, on a noté, en relation sans doute avec le point précédent, une usure rapide des billes et une détérioration de la cage,
  • * enfin, compte tenu de la nécessité de changer la cage et les billes, on a observé la difficulté d'effectuer rapidement ce type de changement.
During its work on the internal grooving of tubes, the applicant has experimentally tested the means already known, in particular those described in FIG. 2 of Japanese publication n ° 55-103 215 (or FIG. 2 of US patent n ° 4 373 366), and made the following observations on this occasion:
  • * on the one hand, the ball cage (reference 17 in FIG. 2 of US Pat. No. 4,373,366) does not allow easy introduction of the balls, nor does it allow the balls to be held in position in the absence of a grooving tube . Indeed, with this type of cage, nothing allows the balls to be retained in position, given the clearance required to introduce them into the cage.
  • * on the other hand, there was a marking of the cage due to the pressure of the balls which led to variations in dimensions such that a production of batches of regular quality was difficult to envisage.
  • * in addition, there has been noted, no doubt in relation to the previous point, rapid wear of the balls and deterioration of the cage,
  • * finally, given the need to change the cage and the balls, we observed the difficulty of making this type of change quickly.

OBJETS DE L'INVENTIONOBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

L'invention a pour objet un dispositif résolvant les problèmes exposés précédemment, et permettant en outre une productivité élevée, à l'aide d'un dispositif économique en lui-même (investissement) et à longue durée de vie.The subject of the invention is a device which solves the problems set out above, and which also allows high productivity, using a device which is economical in itself (investment) and has a long service life.

DESCRIPTION GENERALE DE L'INVENTIONGENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Selon l'invention, le dispositif de rainurage de tubes comprend, alignés selon l'axe dudit tube à rainurer, une filière de maintien destinée à maintenir en position à l'intérieur dudit tube à rainurer un mandrin flottant muni d'une tringle dont l'extrémité libre porte un mandrin rainuré, et, en aval (référence au sens de défilement du tube à rainurer) de ladite filière de maintien, un bloc de rainurage comprenant une cage rotative ceinturant des billes destinées à comprimer la paroi dudit tube contre ledit mandrin rainuré de manière à former un tube rainuré intérieurement, et, en aval dudit bloc de rainurage, une filière de finition, caractérisé en ce que,

  • a) ladite cage est constituée d'une partie d'appui, dont le profil intérieur, en section axiale, comprend un arc de cercle formant piste de roulement desdites billes et dont le rayon de courbure est au moins égal à celui desdites billes, et d'un flasque de fermeture de ladite cage,
  • b) des moyens de lubrification des surfaces de contact entre lesdites billes et ladite partie d'appui, entre lesdites billes et la surface extérieure dudit tube à rainurer, et entre lesdites billes entre elles.
According to the invention, the tube grooving device comprises, aligned along the axis of said grooving tube, a holding die intended to hold in position inside said grooving tube a floating mandrel provided with a rod, the l the free end carries a grooved mandrel, and, downstream (reference to the direction of travel of the grooving tube) of said holding die, a grooving block comprising a rotary cage encircling balls intended to compress the wall of said tube against said mandrel grooved so as to form an internally grooved tube, and, downstream of said grooving block, a finishing die, characterized in that,
  • a) said cage consists of a support part, the internal profile of which, in axial section, comprises an arc of a circle forming a rolling track of said balls and whose radius of curvature is at least equal to that of said balls, and of a closing flange of said cage,
  • b) means for lubricating the contact surfaces between said balls and said bearing part, between said balls and the external surface of said tube to be grooved, and between said balls between them.

Comme les exemples le montreront, la demanderesse a observé un changement radical, sur tous les points évoqués à propos des problèmes rencontrés avec l'art antérieur, à partir du moment où elle a, simultanément, mis en oeuvre les deux moyens essentiels de l'invention, à savoir, d'une part une cage dont la partie active (durant le rainurage) présente un profil intérieur particulier propre à l'invention, et d'autre part, une lubrification de toutes les pièces à l'intérieur de ladite cage.
Selon l'invention, le profil intérieur "épouse" en partie la courbure des billes, ce qui est tout à fait différent de l'art antérieur, où l'on trouve pour l'essentiel, des contacts "ponctuels" du type bille / plan. Par ailleurs, ce concept est relativement éloigné de l'opinion de l'homme du métier, selon laquelle il est préférable que les billes aient le maximum de liberté de mouvement pour, compte tenu des vitesses élevées de rotation, ne pas introduire un couplage supplémentaire (frottement) entre billes et cage. A cet égard, un contact ponctuel du type bille / plan semblait préférable.As the examples will show, the Applicant has observed a radical change, on all the points raised in connection with the problems encountered with the prior art, from the moment when it simultaneously implemented the two essential means of invention, namely, on the one hand a cage whose active part (during grooving) has a particular internal profile specific to the invention, and on the other hand, lubrication of all the parts inside said cage .
According to the invention, the internal profile partly "conforms" to the curvature of the balls, which is entirely different from the prior art, where there are essentially "one-off" contacts of the ball / type. plan. Furthermore, this concept is relatively distant from the opinion of a person skilled in the art, according to which it is preferable that the balls have the maximum freedom of movement for, taking into account the high speeds of rotation, not to introduce an additional coupling (friction) between balls and cage. In this regard, one-off contact of the ball / plane type seemed preferable.

Contrairement à ce que l'on pouvait penser a priori (diminuer les contacts entre billes et paroi de la cage), la demanderesse a donc observé que, pour peu que les billes soient bien lubrifiées, un contact bille / cage selon un arc de cercle et non plus, selon un point conduisait à des résultats totalement différents et très supérieurs à ceux obtenus avec un contact bille / cage selon un point, comme dans l'art antérieur.Contrary to what one might think a priori (reducing the contacts between balls and wall of the cage), the Applicant has therefore observed that, as long as the balls are well lubricated, a ball / cage contact according to an arc of a circle and no longer, according to one point led to completely different results and very much higher than those obtained with a ball / cage contact along a point, as in the prior art.

DESCRIPTION DES FIGURESDESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

La figure 1 représente un dispositif de rainurage (1) d'un tube (2) à rainurer selon l'art antérieur (figure 2 du brevet US n° 4 373 366 avec des références modifiées pour qu'elles soient homogènes avec celles de la présente demande).FIG. 1 represents a grooving device (1) of a tube (2) to be grooved according to the prior art (FIG. 2 of US Pat. No. 4,373,366 with references modified so that they are homogeneous with those of the this request).

Ce dispositif comprend, d'amont en aval (voir sens de la flèche sur l'axe (3)), alignés selon l'axe (3) du tube :

  • * une filière de maintien (4) qui retient le mandrin flottant (5),
  • * un bloc de rainurage (7) qui comprend une cage rotative (8) à billes (9) - les billes appuyant le tube à rainurer sur un mandrin rainuré (6) maintenu à distance constante du mandrin flottant (5) grâce à la tringle (24) - solidaire d'un arbre (20) maintenu en position par des paliers / roulements à billes (non référencés) et animé d'un mouvement de rotation à l'aide d'une poulie (non référencée) sur la partie aval dudit bloc de rainurage (7);
  • * une filière de finition (10) en aval du bloc de rainurage.
This device comprises, from upstream to downstream (see direction of the arrow on the axis (3)), aligned along the axis (3) of the tube:
  • * a holding die (4) which retains the floating mandrel (5),
  • * a grooving block (7) which includes a rotary cage (8) with balls (9) - the balls pressing the tube to groove on a grooved mandrel (6) kept at constant distance from the floating mandrel (5) thanks to the rod (24) - integral with a shaft (20) held in position by bearings / ball bearings (not referenced) and driven in a rotational movement using a pulley (not referenced) on the downstream part said grooving block (7);
  • * a finishing die (10) downstream of the grooving block.

Les figures 2a et 2b représentent, en coupe axiale, une cage rotative (8) selon l'invention.
Sur la figure 2a, la cage (8) est représentée avec la filière de maintien (4) et le mandrin de rainurage (6).
La figure 2b représente un agrandissement de la cage et des billes de la figure 2a.
On n'a représenté sur ces figures ni l'arbre (20) assurant la rotation de la cage (8), ni, en aval, la filière de finition (10), pas plus que les moyens permettant la lubrification de l'intérieur de la cage rotative (8).Figures 2a and 2b show, in axial section, a rotary cage (8) according to the invention.
In FIG. 2a, the cage (8) is shown with the holding die (4) and the grooving mandrel (6).
Figure 2b shows an enlargement of the cage and balls of Figure 2a.
These figures show neither the shaft (20) ensuring the rotation of the cage (8), nor, downstream, the finishing die (10), any more than the means allowing the lubrication of the interior. of the rotating cage (8).

La figure 3 représente, en coupe axiale, un bloc de rainurage (7) complet, selon l'invention, ainsi que la filière de maintien (4) dotée de moyens (23) d'introduire un lubrifiant (25) en amont et en aval de la filière de maintien.
On a représenté en traits épais les parties fixes du bloc de rainurage (7), et en trait fin les parties tournantes.
Parties fixes : la broche électromagnétique (19), le dispositif (22) de lubrification de l'intérieur de la cage (8) qui comprend un tube (21) alimentant coaxialement en lubrifiant (25) la base aval (18) desdites billes (9), ainsi qu'un carter (27) permettant de récupérer le lubrifiant (25R) à évacuer ou recycler.
Parties tournantes : l'arbre (20) qui porte à son extrémité amont la cage rotative (8) équipée d'un flasque de fermeture (12) qui se monte axialement sur la partie d'appui (11). Le flasque (12) est ajouré par endroits pour permettre l'évacuation radiale du lubrifiant (25) circulant dans la cage (8), sous l'action de la force centrifuge.FIG. 3 shows, in axial section, a complete grooving block (7) according to the invention, as well as the holding die (4) provided with means (23) for introducing a lubricant (25) upstream and in downstream of the support system.
There is shown in thick lines the fixed parts of the grooving block (7), and in thin lines the rotating parts.
Fixed parts: the electromagnetic pin (19), the device (22) for lubricating the inside of the cage (8) which comprises a tube (21) coaxially supplying lubricant (25) to the downstream base (18) of said balls ( 9), as well as a casing (27) making it possible to recover the lubricant (25R) to be evacuated or recycled.
Rotating parts: the shaft (20) which carries at its upstream end the rotary cage (8) fitted with a closing flange (12) which is mounted axially on the support part (11). The flange (12) is perforated in places to allow the radial evacuation of the lubricant (25) circulating in the cage (8), under the action of centrifugal force.

Les figures 4a à 4c représentent, en demi-coupe axiale, trois exemples selon l'invention de profil intérieur (26) de parties d'appui (11) :
A la figure 4a, le profil (26) est constitué d'un arc de cercle (13) se raccordant tangentiellement en un point "haut" (15h) à un segment de droite 14h. Dans ce cas, l'angle alpha est de 90° et l'angle beta (angle de la bissectrice de l'angle alpha par rapport à l'axe orienté (3) est de 135°.FIGS. 4a to 4c represent, in axial half-section, three examples according to the invention of internal profile (26) of support parts (11):
In FIG. 4a, the profile (26) consists of an arc of circle (13) tangentially connecting at a "high" point (15h) to a line segment 14h. In this case, the angle alpha is 90 ° and the angle beta (angle of the bisector of the angle alpha relative to the oriented axis (3) is 135 °.

A la figure 4b, le profil (26) est constitué d'un arc de cercle (13) se raccordant tangentiellement en un point "haut" (15h) à un segment de droite (14h) et en un point "bas" (15b) à un segment de droite (14b). Dans ce cas, l'angle alpha est de 70° et l'angle beta est de 125°. L'angle gamma (coordonnée angulaire d'une extrémité dudit arc de cercle) vaut 160° et l'angle gamma' (coordonnée angulaire de l'autre extrémité dudit arc de cercle) vaut 90°.In FIG. 4b, the profile (26) consists of an arc (13) tangentially connecting at a "high" point (15h) to a straight line (14h) and at a "low" point (15b ) to a line segment (14b). In this case, the alpha angle is 70 ° and the beta angle is 125 °. The gamma angle (angular coordinate of one end of said circular arc) is 160 ° and the gamma 'angle (angular coordinate of the other end of said circular arc) is 90 °.

A la figure 4c, le profil (26) est constitué seulement d'un arc de cercle (13) d'angle alpha égal à 90°. Dans ce cas, la partie d'appui (11) est munie de goujons permettant de fixer réversiblement le flasque (12) de fermeture.In Figure 4c, the profile (26) consists only of an arc (13) of angle alpha equal to 90 °. In this case, the support part (11) is provided with studs making it possible to reversibly fix the closing flange (12).

La figure 5 représente en coupe perpendiculairement à l'axe (3) l'intérieur de la cage de rainurage dans le cas de 6 billes (représentées tangentes les unes aux autres par commodité de construction).Figure 5 shows in section perpendicular to the axis (3) the interior of the grooving cage in the case of 6 balls (shown tangent to each other for convenience of construction).

DESCRIPTION DETAILLEE DE L'INVENTIONDETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

De manière à transmettre auxdites billes (9) un mouvement de rotation et un effort de compression par appui selon un arc de cercle, non pas selon un point comme dans l'art antérieur, ledit arc de cercle (13) et lesdites billes ont des rayons de courbures voisins. Par "voisin", on entend que le rayon de courbure des billes est inférieur, de 5% au plus, à celui dudit arc de cercle.In order to transmit to said balls (9) a rotational movement and a compression force by pressing along an arc of a circle, not according to a point as in the prior art, said arc of circle (13) and said balls have neighboring radii of curvature. By "neighbor" is meant that the radius of curvature of the balls is less, by 5% at most, than that of said arc of a circle.

Bien qu'on puisse avoir selon l'invention un profil intérieur (26) sans segments de droite, comme représenté à la figure 4c, il est préférable que ledit profil intérieur (26) comprenne au moins un raccordement tangentiel d'une extrémité dudit arc de cercle (13) et d'un segment de droite (14h et/ou 14b).Although it is possible according to the invention to have an interior profile (26) without line segments, as shown in FIG. 4c, it is preferable for said interior profile (26) to include minus a tangential connection of one end of said arc of a circle (13) and of a straight line segment (14h and / or 14b).

De préférence, ledit profil intérieur (26) comprend un raccordement tangentiel dit "haut" (15h) dudit arc de cercle (13) et d'un segment de droite (14h) parallèle audit axe (3), comme représenté aux figures 4a et 4b, de manière à imposer auxdites billes (9) un écartement axial prédéterminé, et à former en quelque sorte une cage à paroi cylindrique, ce qui est commode pour le montage et démontage de la cage, ce qui assure une stabilité mécanique de la partie d'appui même à très haute vitesse de rotation, et ce qui contribue à assurer une production de tubes rainurés à caractéristiques géométriques stables.Preferably, said interior profile (26) comprises a tangential connection called "top" (15h) of said circular arc (13) and of a straight line (14h) parallel to said axis (3), as shown in FIGS. 4a and 4b, so as to impose on said balls (9) a predetermined axial spacing, and in a way form a cage with a cylindrical wall, which is convenient for mounting and dismounting the cage, which ensures mechanical stability of the part even at very high rotational speed, and this contributes to ensuring the production of grooved tubes with stable geometric characteristics.

Ledit profil intérieur (26) peut comprendre un raccordement tangentiel dit "bas" (15b) dudit arc de cercle (13) et d'un segment de droite (14b) faisant avec ledit axe (3) un angle compris entre 45 et 90°, et de préférence compris entre 70 et 90°.
Un tel raccordement crée un espace en forme de coin à la base aval des billes, qui peut faciliter l'écoulement du lubrifiant (25), apporté par le tube (21) à la base aval (18) de billes, entre les billes (9) et la surface intérieure de ladite partie d'appui (11).Said internal profile (26) may comprise a tangential connection called "bottom" (15b) of said arc of circle (13) and of a straight line segment (14b) making with said axis (3) an angle between 45 and 90 ° , and preferably between 70 and 90 °.
Such a connection creates a wedge-shaped space at the downstream base of the balls, which can facilitate the flow of the lubricant (25), brought by the tube (21) to the downstream base (18) of balls, between the balls ( 9) and the inner surface of said support part (11).

Selon l'invention, ledit arc de cercle (13) présente une étendue (angle alpha) comprise entre 40 et 90°, l'angle de sa bissectice avec ledit axe (angle beta) étant choisi de manière à correspondre sensiblement à la résultante des efforts desdites billes contre ladite partie d'appui(11), pour une vitesse de défilement donnée dudit tube (2) et une vitesse de rotation donnée de ladite cage rotative (8).
En effet, il importe que l'arc de cercle (13), qui est aussi sensiblement la courbe de contact entre billes et surface intérieure de ladite partie d'appui (11), ne soit pas trop petit, sous peine de rencontrer les problèmes de l'art antérieur (marquage de la cage, usure rapide, etc...), ni trop grand, ce qui conduirait à un guidage trop important des billes (perte d'un degré de liberté dans le sens radial pour un angle gamma supérieur à 180°, perte d'un degré de liberté dans le sens axial pour un angle gamma' inférieur à 90°).According to the invention, said circular arc (13) has an extent (angle alpha) of between 40 and 90 °, the angle of its bisectice with said axis (angle beta) being chosen so as to correspond substantially to the result of the forces of said balls against said bearing part (11), for a given running speed of said tube (2) and a given speed of rotation of said rotary cage (8).
Indeed, it is important that the arc of a circle (13), which is also substantially the contact curve between the balls and the inner surface of said bearing part (11), is not too small, otherwise problems will arise. art anterior (marking of the cage, rapid wear, etc.), or too large, which would lead to excessive guidance of the balls (loss of a degree of freedom in the radial direction for a gamma angle greater than 180 ° loss of a degree of freedom in the axial direction for a gamma angle less than 90 °).

Il est en effet souhaitable selon l'invention que les billes aient un degré de liberté dans le sens axial, c'est la raison pour laquelle ledit flasque de fermeture (12), solidaire de ladite partie d'appui (11), laisse aux billes (9) un jeu axial, typiquement de quelques mm.It is indeed desirable according to the invention that the balls have a degree of freedom in the axial direction, this is the reason why said closing flange (12), integral with said bearing part (11), leaves the balls (9) an axial clearance, typically a few mm.

De même, il a été trouvé préférable que lesdites billes aient une totale liberté, au sens d'une absence de liaison mécanique, dans le sens radial, ce qui ne serait pas le cas avec des angles gamma > 180° (angle gamma et gamma' = coordonnées angulaires dudit arc de cercle - voir figure 4b). En effet, les résultats sont moins bons (usure plus rapide) si le profil de l'intérieur de la cage limite mécaniquement les degrés de liberté des billes, comme dans le cas d'une cage de roulement à billes.Likewise, it has been found preferable that said balls have complete freedom, in the sense of a lack of mechanical connection, in the radial direction, which would not be the case with gamma angles> 180 ° (gamma and gamma angle '= angular coordinates of said arc of a circle - see Figure 4b). In fact, the results are less good (faster wear) if the profile of the interior of the cage mechanically limits the degrees of freedom of the balls, as in the case of a ball bearing cage.

Le deuxième moyen essentiel de l'invention est relatif à la lubrification des billes et de l'intérieur de ladite partie d'appui (11). En particulier il est important selon l'invention que lesdits moyens de lubrification des surfaces en contact permettent, en permanence, une lubrification de la base aval (18) des billes pour que du lubrifiant vienne constamment s'interposer entre billes et la surface intérieure de ladite partie d'appui (11), entre billes et le tube à rainurer et entre les billes entre elles.The second essential means of the invention relates to the lubrication of the balls and of the interior of said support part (11). In particular, it is important according to the invention that said means for lubricating the surfaces in contact allow, permanently, lubrication of the downstream base (18) of the balls so that lubricant constantly comes to come between balls and the internal surface of said bearing part (11), between balls and the grooving tube and between the balls between them.

Ledit bloc de rainurage comprend une broche rotative fixe (19), électromagnétique ou mécanique, actionnant en rotation un arbre (20) solidaire de ladite cage (8), située à l'extrémité amont dudit arbre (20) (par rapport au sens de défilement dudit tube). Ladite alimentation en lubrifiant de la base aval (18) desdites billes est obtenue selon l'invention à l'aide d'un dispositif de lubrification (22) de ladite cage (8) comprenant un tube fixe coaxial (21) de diamètre compris entre le diamètre extérieur dudit tube après rainurage (2R) et le diamètre intérieur dudit arbre (20), tube alimenté en lubrifiant à son extrémité aval et dont l'extrémité amont est située à faible distance (typiquement quelques mm) de la base aval (18) des dites billes (9). Voir la figure (3).
De préférence, on alimente le tube en lubrifiant à la température ambiante (mais il pourrait être éventuellement réfrigéré), à un débit, variable selon les conditions de rainurage (vitesse de rotation de la cage et vitesse de défilement du tube), mais en général à un débit qui permet aussi au lubrifiant de jouer un rôle d'agent réfrigérant pour les billes et la cage.Said grooving block comprises a fixed rotary spindle (19), electromagnetic or mechanical, actuating in rotation a shaft (20) integral with said cage (8), located at the upstream end of said shaft (20) (relative to the direction of scrolling of said tube). Said lubricant supply of the downstream base (18) of said balls is obtained according to the invention using a lubrication device (22) of said cage (8) comprising a coaxial fixed tube (21) with a diameter between the outside diameter of said tube after grooving (2R) and the internal diameter of said shaft (20), tube supplied with lubricant at its downstream end and the upstream end of which is located at a short distance (typically a few mm) from the downstream base (18) of said balls ( 9). See figure (3).
Preferably, the tube is supplied with lubricant at room temperature (but it could possibly be refrigerated), at a rate which varies according to the grooving conditions (speed of rotation of the cage and speed of travel of the tube), but in general at a rate which also allows the lubricant to act as a cooling agent for the balls and the cage.

Il est préférable que lesdits moyens de lubrification comprennent aussi une alimentation en lubrifiant de la base amont (17) desdites billes (9).
Pour cela, de préférence, ladite alimentation en lubrifiant de la base amont (17) desdites billes est obtenue à l'aide d'un dispositif de lubrification (23) de ladite filière de maintien (4), en amont et en aval de celle-ci, de sorte que le tube (2) pénètre, avec une surface extérieure lubrifiée, dans le bloc de rainurage.It is preferable that said lubrication means also comprise a supply of lubricant to the upstream base (17) of said balls (9).
For this, preferably, said supply of lubricant to the upstream base (17) of said balls is obtained using a lubrication device (23) of said holding die (4), upstream and downstream of that -this, so that the tube (2) penetrates, with a lubricated outer surface, into the grooving block.

Il est également souhaitable selon l'invention de choisir, pour un diamètre extérieur De du tube rainuré (2R) donné, un diamètre intérieur Di de la partie cylindrique de l'intérieur de ladite cage (8) (partie active de ladite partie d'appui - voir figure 4a), un nombre n et un diamètre Db de billes, tels que lesdites billes (9) soient en petit nombre (de l'ordre de 5 à 8 avec les tubes usuels), roulent dans ladite cage (8) avec un faible jeu entre elles (au plus égal à 1 mm), de manière aussi à ne pouvoir quitter ladite cage qu'axialement (après enlèvement dudit flasque (12)) et non radialement. Cela revient, dans le cas limite d'un jeu nul entre billes, à satisfaire, entre Db, De, Di et n, la relation Arc sinus Db/Di = 180/n, avec Di = De + 2 Db. Voir figure 5.It is also desirable according to the invention to choose, for an external diameter De of the grooved tube (2R) given, an internal diameter Di of the cylindrical part of the interior of said cage (8) (active part of said part of support - see FIG. 4a), a number n and a diameter Db of balls, such that said balls (9) are in small number (of the order of 5 to 8 with the usual tubes), roll in said cage (8) with a small clearance between them (at most equal to 1 mm), so also that they can leave said cage only axially (after removal of said flange (12)) and not radially. This amounts, in the limiting case of a zero clearance between balls, to satisfy, between Db, De, Di and n, the relationship Arc sine Db / Di = 180 / n, with Di = De + 2 Db. See figure 5.

Selon l'invention, ledit flasque de fermeture (12) de ladite cage (8) est choisi pour que lesdites billes ne puissent quitter, en direction axiale amont, ladite partie d'appui (11), pour que ledit flasque (12) soit facile à assembler avec ladite partie d'appui ou à séparer de cette dernière, et pour que soit facilitée la circulation de lubrifiant dans ladite cage. C'est la raison pour laquelle ledit flasque présente des parties ajourées ou rainurées, comme on peut le déduire de la figure 3.According to the invention, said closing flange (12) of said cage (8) is chosen so that said balls cannot leave, in upstream axial direction, said bearing part (11), so that said flange (12) is easy to assemble with said support part or to separate from the latter, and to facilitate the circulation of lubricant in said cage. This is the reason why said flange has perforated or grooved parts, as can be deduced from FIG. 3.

Comme déjà signalé, le flasque de fermeture (12) permet un certain jeu axial aux billes. Mais il est à noter que, grâce aux conditions géométriques déjà mentionnées (choix d'un petit nombre de billes de diamètre adapté), les billes restent dans ladite cage (8), même en l'absence de tube, même en l'absence de flasque, ce qui est d'une grande commodité pratique puisque l'inspection ou le changement des billes, le changement de ladite cage rotative sont d'une grande simplicité et ne prennent que quelques minutes.As already indicated, the closing flange (12) allows a certain axial play to the balls. However, it should be noted that, thanks to the geometric conditions already mentioned (choice of a small number of balls of suitable diameter), the balls remain in said cage (8), even in the absence of a tube, even in the absence flange, which is of great practical convenience since the inspection or the change of the balls, the change of said rotary cage are very simple and take only a few minutes.

Les matériaux des billes et de la cage - en particulier de partie d'appui (11) - ne sont pas spécifiques à l'invention. Ce sont généralement des matériaux durs, à base d'acier, mais tout matériau de faible déformation sous contrainte, un matériau en alliage autre qu'un alliage de fer, ou en céramique pourrait convenir également.The materials of the balls and of the cage - in particular of the support part (11) - are not specific to the invention. These are generally hard materials, based on steel, but any material of low strain under stress, an alloy material other than an iron alloy, or ceramic could also be suitable.

En ce qui concerne les dimensions du dispositif selon l'invention, elles sont liées typiquement au diamètre du tube à rainurer, comme cela résulte du simple examen de la figure 5, d'où il ressort que, dans les cage d'une cage à 6 billes, le diamètre extérieur De du tube rainuré est sensiblement égal au diamètre Db des billes, le diamètre intérieur Di de la partie cylindrique de ladite cage étant alors égal à 3De = 3Db.As regards the dimensions of the device according to the invention, they are typically linked to the diameter of the tube to be grooved, as this results from a simple examination of the figure 5, from which it appears that, in the cages of a 6-ball cage, the outside diameter De of the grooved tube is substantially equal to the diameter Db of the balls, the inside diameter Di of the cylindrical part of said cage then being equal at 3De = 3Db.

Le dispositif selon l'invention est adapté pour rainurer des tubes dont le diamètre De peut aller typiquement de 3 mm à 30 mm ou plus.The device according to the invention is suitable for grooving tubes whose diameter De can typically range from 3 mm to 30 mm or more.

EXEMPLESEXAMPLES

Les figures 2 à 5 décrivent des modalités de dispositifs selon l'invention.
La demanderesse, au cours de ses études, a réalisé de nombreux essais comparatifs de rainurage, toutes choses égales par ailleurs (tubes de cuivre (nuance Cub1) de diamètre extérieur final de 9,52 mm, cages avec 6 billes en acier de 9,50 mm à 9,60 mm selon l'épaisseur du tube et le poids / m visé pour le tube rainuré, vitesse de rotation = 30 000 t/ min, vitesse de défilement du tube = 30 m / min).
Typiquement, le tube présentait un diamètre extérieur de 10,60 mm juste en amont du bloc de rainurage, et un diamètre de 9,60 mm juste en aval du bloc de rainurage.Figures 2 to 5 describe modalities of devices according to the invention.
The applicant, during its studies, carried out numerous comparative grooving tests, all other things being equal (copper tubes (Cub1 grade) with final external diameter of 9.52 mm, cages with 6 steel balls of 9, 50 mm to 9.60 mm depending on the thickness of the tube and the target weight / m for the grooved tube, rotation speed = 30,000 rpm, tube running speed = 30 m / min).
Typically, the tube had an outside diameter of 10.60 mm just upstream of the grooving block, and a diameter of 9.60 mm just downstream of the grooving block.

Ces essais ont porté en particulier sur les deux points suivants :These tests focused in particular on the following two points:

Facteur A = forme de la cage selon 2 modalités :
   A1 = selon l'invention (figure 2a et 2b)
   A2 = selon l'art antérieur modifié (cage selon la figure 1 - mais avec un flasque pour pouvoir introduire commodément les billes et travailler avec 6 billes)Factor A = shape of the cage in 2 ways:
A1 = according to the invention (Figure 2a and 2b)
A2 = according to the modified prior art (cage according to FIG. 1 - but with a flange so as to be able to introduce the balls conveniently and to work with 6 balls)

Facteur B = la lubrification des billes et de l'intérieur de la cage selon trois modalités :
   B1 = lubrification par l'amont et l'aval selon l'invention
   B2 = lubrification par l'amont des billes
   B3 = sans lubrificationFactor B = the lubrication of the balls and the interior of the cage in three ways:
B1 = lubrication upstream and downstream according to the invention
B2 = upstream lubrication of the balls
B3 = without lubrication

Les essais suivants ont été réalisés (couplage des facteurs A et B) :

Figure imgb0001
The following tests were carried out (coupling of factors A and B):
Figure imgb0001

Pour chaque essai, on a examiné d'une part l'évolution du dispositif (usure des billes et de la cage) et évalué la durée de vie du dispositif, et d'autre part le produit obtenu et l'évolution de ses caractéristiques au cours de l'essai.
Les résultats ont été évalués qualitativement :For each test, the evolution of the device was examined on the one hand (wear of the balls and the cage) and evaluated the lifetime of the device, and on the other hand the product obtained and the evolution of its characteristics at during the test.
The results were evaluated qualitatively:

Résultats obtenus :Results obtained:

Usure billes et cageBall and cage wear Variation des dimensions du tubeVariation of tube dimensions essai 11test 11 très faible usurevery low wear très faible variationvery small variation essai 12test 12 usure moyenneaverage wear faible variationsmall variation essai 13test 13 grippage rapiderapid seizure -- essai 21test 21 marquage de la cage ovalisation des billesmarking of the ovalization cage of the balls variation moyenneaverage variation essai 22test 22 marquage de la cage > essai 21 ovalisation des billescage marking> test 21 ball ovalization variation moyenne > essai 21average variation> test 21 essai 23test 23 très forte usure arrachement métalvery heavy metal tearing wear forte variationstrong variation

Des essais et examens complémentaires ont permis d'évaluer la quantité de tube que l'ensemble "billes + cage" permet de fabriquer en conservant des dimensions à l'intérieur des tolérances dimensionnelles normaliéses :

essai 11 :
environ 10 t, soit environ 100 km de tube
essai 21 :
environ 1 t
essai 23 :
environ 200 kg
Additional tests and examinations made it possible to assess the quantity of tube that the "ball + cage" assembly allows to be manufactured while maintaining dimensions within the normalized dimensional tolerances:
test 11:
about 10 t, or about 100 km of tube
test 21:
about 1 t
test 23:
about 200 kg

Autres essais :Other tests:

On a comparé également la vitesse de défilement selon les divers dispositifs et on a observé que, dans la cas du dispositif de l'essai 11, on pouvait atteindre des vitesses de défilement très élevées, typiquement supérieures à 70 m / min et au moins 30 % supérieures à celle permises par le dispositif de l'essai 22 ou de l'essai 21.The running speed was also compared according to the various devices and it was observed that, in the case of the device in test 11, very high running speeds could be achieved, typically greater than 70 m / min and at least 30 % greater than that allowed by the device in test 22 or test 21.

Il est donc clair que la combinaison des moyens essentiels de l'invention conduit à des résultats très supérieurs à ceux permis par les dispositifs de l'art antérieur.It is therefore clear that the combination of the essential means of the invention leads to results far superior to those permitted by the devices of the prior art.

AVANTAGES DE L'INVENTIONADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

L'invention présente par rapport à l'art antérieur de nombreux avantages, déjà mentionnés pour la plupart, mais rassemblés ci-après :

  • * simplicité du dispositif selon l'invention, en particulier de la cage rotative, qui se traduit par un coût d'investissement et de maintenance peu élevé (aucun réglage de la cage à faire),
  • * facilité de montage et démontage de la cage et des billes : une opération de montage (assemblage billes/cage/arbre) ou de démontage dure environ 5 min (facilité d'inspection de la cage). A comparer à la difficulté de montage avec un dispositif selon la figure 1 (art antérieur).
  • * longue durée de vie de la cage et des billes : partie d'appui (11) et billes à changer environ après 10 t de production, à comparer au changement après 1 t avec le dispositif de l'art antérieur,
  • * facilité de montage/démontage qui permet aussi un changement rapide des billes (changement de diamètre) lorsqu'on souhaite, soit maintenir les caractéristiques du tube rainuré (poids / m, épaisseur de paroi) à partir d'un tube de départ différent, soit inversement, modifier les caractéristiques du tube rainuré (poids / m, épaisseur de paroi) en conservant le même tube de départ.
  • * production de qualité constante (stabilité des caractéristiques géométriques) sur les 10 t, alors qu'avec des dispositifs de l'art antérieur, des variations apparaissent très vite.
  • * cage de petites dimensions, donc de faible inertie, permise par le dispositif selon l'invention, ce qui autorise des vitesses de rotation pouvant atteindre 45000 tours / min avec la technologie actuelle et pour des tubes de 9,52 mm de diamètre extérieur (des vitesses de rotation plus élevées pouvant être atteintes avec des tubes de plus petit diamètre), ce qui est favorable à une productivité élevée.
  • * productivité : supérieure d'au moins 30 % à celle permise par un dispositif de l'art antérieur.
The invention has many advantages over the prior art, already mentioned for the most part, but collated below:
  • * simplicity of the device according to the invention, in particular of the rotary cage, which results in a low investment and maintenance cost (no adjustment of the cage to be made),
  • * ease of assembly and disassembly of the cage and balls: an assembly operation (assembly of balls / cage / shaft) or disassembly takes approximately 5 min (ease of inspection of the cage). To compare with the difficulty of mounting with a device according to Figure 1 (prior art).
  • * long life of the cage and the balls: part support (11) and balls to be changed approximately after 10 t of production, to compare with the change after 1 t with the device of the prior art,
  • * ease of assembly / disassembly which also allows rapid change of the balls (change in diameter) when it is desired either to maintain the characteristics of the grooved tube (weight / m, wall thickness) from a different starting tube, or conversely, modify the characteristics of the grooved tube (weight / m, wall thickness) while keeping the same starting tube.
  • * production of constant quality (stability of the geometric characteristics) over the 10 t, whereas with devices of the prior art, variations appear very quickly.
  • * cage of small dimensions, therefore of low inertia, allowed by the device according to the invention, which allows rotational speeds of up to 45,000 rpm with current technology and for tubes of 9.52 mm outside diameter ( higher rotational speeds can be achieved with smaller diameter tubes), which is favorable for high productivity.
  • * productivity: at least 30% higher than that allowed by a device of the prior art.

En définitive le dispositif selon l'invention constitue la solution idéale à l'ensemble des problèmes que rencontrait l'homme du métier en rainurant des tubes avec les dispositifs de l'art antérieur.Ultimately, the device according to the invention constitutes the ideal solution to all of the problems encountered by a person skilled in the art in grooving tubes with the devices of the prior art.

Claims (13)

1 - Dispositif de rainurage (1) de tube(s) (2) comprenant, alignés selon l'axe (3) dudit tube à rainurer (2), une filière de maintien (4) destinée à maintenir en position à l'intérieur dudit tube à rainurer (2) un mandrin flottant (5) muni d'une tringle (24) dont l'extrémité libre porte un mandrin rainuré (6), et, en aval (référence au sens de défilement du tube à rainurer) de ladite filière de maintien (4), un bloc de rainurage (7) comprenant une cage rotative (8) ceinturant des billes (9) destinées à comprimer la paroi dudit tube (2) contre ledit mandrin rainuré (6) de manière à former un tube rainuré intérieurement (2R), et, en aval dudit bloc de rainurage, une filière de finition (10), caractérisé en ce que, a) ladite cage (8) est constituée d'une partie d'appui (11), dont le profil intérieur (26), en section axiale, comprend un arc de cercle (13) formant piste de roulement desdites billes et dont le rayon de courbure est au moins égal à celui desdites billes, et d'un flasque de fermeture (12) de ladite cage, b) des moyens de lubrification des surfaces de contact entre lesdites billes (9) et ladite partie d'appui (11), entre lesdites billes (9) et la surface extérieure dudit tube à rainurer (2), et entre lesdites billes entre elles. 1 - Grooving device (1) of tube (s) (2) comprising, aligned along the axis (3) of said grooving tube (2), a holding die (4) intended to hold in position inside from said grooving tube (2) a floating mandrel (5) provided with a rod (24) whose free end carries a grooved mandrel (6), and, downstream (reference to the direction of travel of the grooving tube) said holding die (4), a grooving block (7) comprising a rotary cage (8) encircling balls (9) intended to compress the wall of said tube (2) against said grooved mandrel (6) so as to form a internally grooved tube (2R), and, downstream of said grooving block, a finishing die (10), characterized in that, a) said cage (8) consists of a support part (11), whose internal profile (26), in axial section, comprises an arc of a circle (13) forming a rolling track of said balls and whose radius of curvature is at least equal to that of said balls, and of a closing flange (12) of said cage, b) means for lubricating the contact surfaces between said balls (9) and said bearing part (11), between said balls (9) and the external surface of said grooving tube (2), and between said balls between them . 2 - Dispositif selon la revendication 1 dans lequel, de manière à transmettre auxdites billes (9) un mouvement de rotation et un effort de compression par appui selon un arc de cercle, ledit arc de cercle (13) et lesdites billes ont des rayons de courbures voisins (rayon de courbure des billes au plus inférieur de 5 % à celui dudit arc de cercle). 2 - Device according to claim 1 wherein, so as to transmit to said balls (9) a rotational movement and a compression force by pressing in an arc, said arc (13) and said balls have radii of neighboring curvatures (radius of curvature of the balls at most 5% less than that of said arc of a circle). 3 - Dispositif selon la revendication 2 dans lequel ledit profil intérieur (26) comprend au moins un raccordement tangentiel d'une extrémité dudit arc de cercle (13) et d'un segment de droite. 3 - Device according to claim 2 wherein said inner profile (26) comprises at least one connection tangential to one end of said arc (13) and to a line segment. 4 - Dispositif selon la revendication 3 dans lequel ledit profil intérieur (26) comprend un raccordement tangentiel dit "haut" (15h) dudit arc de cercle (13) et d'un segment de droite (14h) parallèle audit axe (3), de manière à imposer auxdites billes (9) un écartement axial prédéterminé. 4 - Device according to claim 3 wherein said inner profile (26) comprises a tangential connection called "top" (15h) of said arc of a circle (13) and a line segment (14h) parallel to said axis (3), so as to impose on said balls (9) a predetermined axial spacing. 5 - Dispositif selon une quelconque des revendications 3 et 4 dans lequel ledit profil intérieur (26) comprend un raccordement tangentiel dit "bas" (15b) dudit arc de cercle (13) et d'un segment de droite (14b) faisant avec ledit axe (3) un angle compris entre 45 et 90°, et de préférence compris entre 70 et 90°. 5 - Device according to any one of claims 3 and 4 wherein said inner profile (26) comprises a tangential connection called "bottom" (15b) of said arc of a circle (13) and a line segment (14b) forming with said axis (3) an angle between 45 and 90 °, and preferably between 70 and 90 °. 6 - Dispositif selon une quelconque des revendications 1 à 5 dans lequel ledit arc de cercle (13) présente une étendue comprise entre 40 et 90°, l'angle de sa bissectice avec ledit axe (angle beta) étant choisi de manière à correspondre sensiblement à la résultante des efforts dedites billes contre ladite partie d'appui(11), pour une vitesse de défilement donnée dudit tube (2) et une vitesse de rotation donnée de ladite cage rotative (8). 6 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 5 wherein said arc of circle (13) has an extent between 40 and 90 °, the angle of its bisectice with said axis (beta angle) being chosen so as to correspond substantially as a result of the efforts of said balls against said bearing part (11), for a given running speed of said tube (2) and a given speed of rotation of said rotary cage (8). 7 - Dispositif selon une quelconque des revendications 1 à 6 dans lequel lesdits moyens de lubrification comprennent une alimentation en lubrifiant de la base aval (18) desdites billes (9). 7 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein said lubrication means comprise a supply of lubricant from the downstream base (18) of said balls (9). 8 - Dispositif selon la revendication 7 dans lequel lesdits moyens de lubrification comprennent une alimentation en lubrifiant de la base amont (17) desdites billes (9). 8 - Device according to claim 7 wherein said lubrication means comprise a supply of lubricant from the upstream base (17) of said balls (9). 9 - Dispositif selon une quelconque des revendications 1 à 8 dans lequel ledit bloc de rainurage comprend une broche rotative fixe (19), électromagnétique ou mécanique, actionnant en rotation un arbre (20) solidaire, à une de ses extrémités, de ladite cage (8). 9 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein said grooving block comprises a pin fixed rotary (19), electromagnetic or mechanical, actuating in rotation a shaft (20) integral, at one of its ends, with said cage (8). 10 - Dispositif selon la revendication 9 dans lequel ladite cage (8) est située à l'extrémité amont dudit arbre (20) (par rapport au sens de défilement dudit tube), et dans lequel ladite alimentation en lubrifiant de la base aval desdites billes est obtenue à l'aide d'un dispositif de lubrification (22) de ladite cage (8) comprenant un tube fixe coaxial (21) de diamètre compris entre le diamètre extérieur dudit tube après rainurage et le diamètre intérieur dudit arbre, tube alimenté en lubrifiant à son extrémité aval et dont l'extrémité amont est située à faible distance (typiquement quelques mm) de la base aval (18) des dites billes (9). 10 - Device according to claim 9 wherein said cage (8) is located at the upstream end of said shaft (20) (relative to the direction of travel of said tube), and wherein said supply of lubricant from the downstream base of said balls is obtained using a lubrication device (22) of said cage (8) comprising a coaxial fixed tube (21) with a diameter between the outside diameter of said tube after grooving and the inside diameter of said shaft, tube supplied with lubricant at its downstream end and whose upstream end is located at a short distance (typically a few mm) from the downstream base (18) of said balls (9). 11 - Dispositif selon une quelconque des revendications 8 à 10 dans lequel ladite alimentation en lubrifiant de la base amont (17) desdites billes est obtenue à l'aide d'un dispositif de lubrification (23) de ladite filière de maintien (4), en amont et en aval de celle-ci. 11 - Device according to any one of claims 8 to 10 wherein said supply of lubricant to the upstream base (17) of said balls is obtained using a lubrication device (23) of said holding die (4), upstream and downstream thereof. 12 - Dispositif selon une quelconque des revendications 1 à 11 dans lequel lesdites billes (9), de diamètre Db, roulent dans ladite cage (8) avec un faible jeu entre elles (au plus égal à 1 mm), ce qui, compte tenu du diamètre intérieur Di de la partie active de ladite partie d'appui (11), du diamètre extérieur De du tube rainuré (2R) et du nombre de billes n, revient, dans le cas d'un jeu entre billes nul, à satisfaire la relation Arc sinus Db/Di = 180/n, avec Di = De + 2 Db. 12 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein said balls (9), of diameter Db, roll in said cage (8) with a small clearance between them (at most equal to 1 mm), which, taking into account the inside diameter Di of the active part of said bearing part (11), the outside diameter De of the grooved tube (2R) and the number of balls n, means, in the case of a zero play between balls, to be satisfied the Arc sine relationship Db / Di = 180 / n, with Di = De + 2 Db. 13 - Dispositif selon une quelconque des revendications 1 à 12 dans lequel ledit flasque de fermeture (12) de ladite cage (8) est choisi pour que lesdites billes ne puissent quitter, en direction axiale amont, ladite partie d'appui (11), pour que ledit flasque (12) soit facile à assembler avec ladite partie d'appui ou à séparer de cette dernière, pour que soit facilitée la circulation de lubrifiant dans ladite cage. 13 - Device according to any one of claims 1 to 12 in which said closing flange (12) of said cage (8) is chosen so that said balls cannot leave, in upstream axial direction, said bearing part (11), so that said flange (12) is easy to assemble with said support part or to separate from the latter, so that the circulation of lubricant in said cage is facilitated.
EP94420202A 1993-07-16 1994-07-12 Device for grooving tubes Expired - Lifetime EP0634234B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
FR9308985 1993-07-16
FR9308985A FR2707534B1 (en) 1993-07-16 1993-07-16 Grooving devices for tubes.

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EP0634234A1 true EP0634234A1 (en) 1995-01-18
EP0634234B1 EP0634234B1 (en) 1997-03-26

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US (1) US5526663A (en)
EP (1) EP0634234B1 (en)
JP (1) JPH0751753A (en)
KR (1) KR100290054B1 (en)
CN (1) CN1053401C (en)
DE (1) DE69402260T2 (en)
ES (1) ES2098889T3 (en)
FI (1) FI113751B (en)
FR (1) FR2707534B1 (en)
MY (1) MY110648A (en)

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JP4550226B2 (en) * 2000-06-06 2010-09-22 古河電気工業株式会社 Internal grooved pipe manufacturing equipment
US6883597B2 (en) 2001-04-17 2005-04-26 Wolverine Tube, Inc. Heat transfer tube with grooved inner surface
US7861571B1 (en) 2008-11-10 2011-01-04 Vincent Giaimo Trapped ball draw process for reducing the diameter of tubing
CN102172724A (en) * 2011-01-30 2011-09-07 赵英培 Jacket barrel mouth reducing machine
CN104107840A (en) * 2014-07-10 2014-10-22 苏州鸿大金属制品有限公司 Drawing mold for copper tube with guiding trough for umbrella handle
JP6169538B2 (en) 2014-07-18 2017-07-26 三菱アルミニウム株式会社 Manufacturing method and manufacturing apparatus of internally spiral grooved tube
CN108515096B (en) * 2018-03-25 2019-06-07 海安县盛泰冷拉型钢有限公司 A kind of round steel pipe cold-drawn tooling
RU2759144C1 (en) * 2020-12-10 2021-11-09 Акционерное общество "Научно-производственное объединение "СПЛАВ" им. А.Н. Ганичева Method for manufacturing axisymmetric shells with internal riffles
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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
US5526663A (en) 1996-06-18
FR2707534B1 (en) 1995-09-15
FI113751B (en) 2004-06-15
DE69402260D1 (en) 1997-04-30
EP0634234B1 (en) 1997-03-26
CN1100348A (en) 1995-03-22
MY110648A (en) 1998-09-30
CN1053401C (en) 2000-06-14
ES2098889T3 (en) 1997-05-01
FI943385A (en) 1995-01-17
JPH0751753A (en) 1995-02-28
DE69402260T2 (en) 1997-08-07
KR100290054B1 (en) 2001-05-15
FR2707534A1 (en) 1995-01-20
FI943385A0 (en) 1994-07-15
KR960013505A (en) 1996-05-22

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