EP1214992B1 - Tube perforating device - Google Patents

Abstract

The pipe perforation device has a tubular body (1) inserted in a pipeline (52), containing an axially sliding operating element (2) and a cutting lever (3) with a perforation point (33), which pivots in the radial direction for penetrating the wall of the pipeline.

Description

The invention relates to a heat exchanger tube perforation device for Introduction to a pipe and to pierce the pipe wall according to Preamble of claim 1. Such is a device known from US-A-4,730,392.

On heat exchangers, for example in power plants, cooling systems, etc., the Heat exchanger tubes sealed in a heat exchanger tank have, it can due to corrosion damage or micro cracks Passage of medium from one circuit to the other. The heat exchanger tubes are usually on one or two tube plates in corresponding Receiving holes rolled and / or welded in a sealing manner. Access to the heat exchanger tubes is only from the Pipe plate face possible inside the heat exchanger tubes. One access via the heat exchanger tank to the outside of the heat exchanger tubes is usually not possible or is made considerably more difficult, for example by heat exchanger tubes close together.

In the case of the aforementioned leaks in a heat exchanger tubing Such systems have so far been the defective tube in question with tight Plug separated from the rest of the heat exchange medium circuit, before Seal the defective heat exchanger tube inside the tube Heat exchanger tank was slotted from the inside. First after that, the defective heat exchanger tube in question was replaced by the front inserted plug uncoupled from the heat exchanger medium circuit.

The heat exchanger tube is slotted to prevent a sudden, excessive pressure build-up within the one separated by the plugs Avoid pipe section. The slot is supposed to be one for one rapid pressure equalization have sufficient cross-sectional area on the pipe. However, it is avoided to completely cut through the tube on one side, unwanted movements of this separated pipe stub and to prevent damage within the heat exchanger tank.

In the previously known slot device, however, it is disadvantageous that a precise control of the opening cross-section created with the device is difficult. There is also a risk that in a Slot too wide, the heat exchanger tube in question completely is sheared off and therefore leads to a source of danger in the heat exchanger. In addition, it is disadvantageous that after making a slot through the The resulting deformation of the heat exchanger tube is a rescue Slot device is difficult.

In another technical area, that of downhole technology, for example for production drilling in oil fields, is one from US 2,315,437 Perforator probe for borehole piping with similar to the invention Construction known. The perforation probe has two, each around an axis pivotable perforator arms, which are supported by a cylindrical wedge element a relative movement between the wedge element and the Perforatorarmanordnung be pivoted radially outwards and the Pierce the borehole piping.

This device is, however, over a borehole cable (wire line) in the substantially vertical borehole lowered. Through a special one Anchor mechanism can then insert the perforator probe into the desired one Anchored deep and the perforation arms swung out. Doing so the force required to perforate the borehole wall alternating, sudden draining and tightening the Borehole cable (wire line) and resulting "hammer blows" applied.

Furthermore, in the field of tool technology from US 4,227,393 Method and device for punching openings in pipes of known inside out. In this device, too Punching force to be applied radially outwards via a relative movement generated a wedge-shaped actuator. Doing so however, only a linearly and radially movably guided stamp through the Wedge element actuated. The relative movement of the punching required Actuator is operated by a pneumatic drive unit generated.

The object of the invention is therefore based on the above State of the art, a device for partially severing a Specify the pipeline from the inside with a defined opening cross-section provided an excessive deformation or even separation of the tube avoided and a recovery of the device after actuation facilitated becomes.

This task is solved by a tube perforation device with the Features according to claim 1.

The fact that the tube perforation device in a tubular base body an axially displaceable actuating element and a cutting lever with perforation tip, is at about the actuator caused relative movement between the cutting lever and a Run-up slope on the actuating element or on the base body, a pivoting out of the cutting lever and thus radial outward point force to penetrate the pipe wall generated. During the perforation process, it forms diametrically to the perforation tip opposite back of the base body to the abutment Application of pressure. Especially with a cylindrical design of the The basic body is the one required for perforating the line wall Force evenly distributed on the opposite side of the pipeline. There is no deformation of the tube, with which the perforation device is easy to remove after the perforation process. by virtue of the formation of the perforation tip becomes a passage opening generated that has a predetermined cross section. To be sufficient Pressure equalization connection between the interior and exterior of the To ensure perforating piping can be on the pipe circumference preferably evenly distributed perforations, for example three or more Perforations are made.

An actuating cylinder is preferred for axially displacing the actuating element intended. When actuated by a pressure cylinder a corresponding pressure line from an outside of the plant Pressure generating device connected to the perforation device. When the actuator is reset to its normal position can also use a vacuum to assist resetting the piston after the perforation process.

If the actuating cylinder is a double-acting hydraulic cylinder, whose piston is connected to the actuating element is a power-operated Resetting the piston and that connected to the piston Actuator possible. Accordingly, two pressure lines are on connected to the hydraulic cylinder.

If the actuating cylinder is located at the end of the device, the position of the device introduced for perforating outside the The pipeline remains, for example, the operating cylinder for the operator visible for control purposes. Furthermore, the cylinder can be without Limitations of its external dimensions are formed, with what the device also for small diameter pipes and / or relatively large wall thickness and the required perforation force can be used.

When designing the pipe perforation device, it is possible to adjust the run-up slope Provide a fixed position at one end of the tubular base body and the pivotable cutting lever on the axially displaceable actuating element to hinge. However, the run-up slope on the actuating element is preferred arranged and the pivot axis of the cutting lever in Base body attached. This is an axial component of motion on the Perforation tip avoided when placing the device.

If a return means to swing the cutting lever back after the pipe perforation process is provided in its home position provides active support for the reset of the cutting lever. The Resetting can take place, for example, by means of spring force.

The restoring means is preferably in the form of a form-fitting link guide formed on the ramp, whereby with power-operated reset of the actuating element of the cutting lever via the link guide is brought into its swiveled-in basic position. Especially at A double acting actuator can be used after the perforation process reset the cutting lever to its normal position an actuating movement of the actuating element opposite to the perforation process can be achieved.

To achieve a desired tube wall perforation with less brittle, elastic tube material To achieve, it is advantageous that the perforation tip pyramid-shaped with a triangular or polygonal base is. Tears on the sharp edges of the pyramid flanks of the perforation tip also tough pipe wall material.

The perforation tip is made of hardened steel to reduce wear.

If the cylindrical base body has an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the perforated Pipeline, the counterforce to perforation is as even as possible distributed the pipe wall.

To such a device also for pipes with a larger inner diameter to be able to use are for pipes with larger Inner diameter half-shell-shaped spacer elements as needed Enlargement of the outer diameter of the device is provided.

If positive locking elements on the spacer and base body Fixing the spacer elements to the base body during rotational and axial movements are provided in the pipeline, spacers without complex changeover work quickly replaced on the perforation device are, an undesirable loss of the spacer elements in the machined pipeline is prevented.

Fig. 1

eine Perforationsvorrichtung im Querschnitt und

Fig. 2

die in Fig. 1 dargestellte Perforationsvorrichtung, eingeführt in einer Rohrleitung, beim Perforationsvorgang.

The invention is described in detail below using an exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawing. It shows:

Fig. 1

a perforation device in cross section and

Fig. 2

the perforation device shown in Fig. 1, introduced into a pipe during the perforation process.

In Fig. 1, a tube perforation device is shown in cross section. The Device has a tubular base body 1, in which an axial Direction slidable actuator 2 is guided. Am in one too Perforating pipe to be inserted end 11 of the base body 1 is a Plug 12 screwed into the tubular base body 1.

Inside the tubular base body 1 is close to the plug 12 to an axis 31 pivotable cutting lever 3 articulated. The axis 31 is in the tubular base body 1 held.

The cutting lever 3 has a swivel arm 32, on the one of which A perforation tip 33 is formed on the axis 31 downward end. The End 34 of the cutting lever 3 near the axis 31 is hemispherical. When the plug 12 is fully screwed in, this is supported hemispherical end 34 of the cutting lever 3 on an associated concave support surface 13 of the plug 12.

The actuating element 2 has on its facing towards the cutting lever 3 End of a run-up slope 21 on which a slightly rounded sliding surface 35 of the cutting lever 3 substantially below the perforation tip 33 is sliding. The ramp 21 has an inclination of approximately 15 ° Axial line.

At the outside end 14, which when inserting the device into a Perforating pipe that remains outside this pipeline is an actuating cylinder 4 attached to the tubular base body 1. In the actuating cylinder 4, a piston 41 is received, which is connected to the actuating element 2 is connected. The actuating cylinder 4 has two pressure line connections 42, 43 in order to apply pressure on both sides of the To enable piston 41.

In Fig. 1 the tube perforation device is in its basic position with the pivoted Cutting lever 3 shown. The piston 41 is located here with the actuating element 2 in a position oriented on the right in FIG. 1.

To pass the perforation tip 33 to the inner tube wall of the perforating pipeline is in the tubular base body 1 appropriately shaped cutout or slot 15 provided.

The cutting lever 3 has near the perforation tip 33 on both sides Swivel arm 32 attached or molded sliding blocks 36 on. The Slide blocks 36 are guided in guide grooves 22 on the actuating element 2 near the ramp 21 in corresponding lateral Flanks 23 are formed. The flank 23 with the guide 22 is shown in FIG. 1, as lying behind the cutting lever 3, shown in dashed lines.

2, the tube perforation device is in a heat exchanger tube 52 introduced in perforation position. In Fig. 2 is also a tube plate 51 of the heat exchanger 5 reproduced, in which the heat exchanger tube 52 is rolled. With the cutting lever 3 swung out there is already a perforation 53 in the wall of the heat exchanger tube 52 brought in.

The functioning of the device is described below with reference to FIG the figure described.

The pipe perforation device is provided with its plug 12 End 11 of the tubular base body 1 in a defective heat exchanger tube 52 of a heat exchanger 5 from the accessible side of the tube plate 51 introduced. The perforations in the defective heat exchanger tube 52 must be carried out far enough inside the pipe, so that after inserting sealing plugs at the end of the pipe still an undisturbed Pressure equalization between the heat exchanger room and the interior of the Heat exchanger tube is possible. The length of the tubular is corresponding Base body or the position of the perforation tip 33 on the Training device.

If the correct position of the device in the heat exchanger tube 52 is given, the actuating cylinder 4 by pressurization actuated via pressure line connection 42. The piston 41 is now from pressurized hydraulic medium from that shown in Fig. 1 Position brought into the position shown in Fig. 2. The works Piston 41 directly on the associated actuating element 2, on the inner end of the ramp 21 swiveling out Cutting lever 3 causes.

The slightly curved sliding surface 35 of the cutting lever 3 slides on the Run-up slope 21 along so that the cutting lever 3 with its swivel arm 32 is pivoted about the pivot axis 31 and through the slot-like cutout 15 against the inside of the heat exchanger tube 52 creates.

Due to a preferred flat inclination of the ramp slope 21 of about 10 ° to 20 ° is a high compressive force on the sliding surface 35 on the Perforation tip 33 transferred.

With further pressurization in the actuating cylinder 4 via the pressure line connection 42 becomes the compressive force acting on the perforation tip further increased, which ultimately leads to the desired perforation 53 of the heat exchanger tube 52 leads. The counterforce to that of the perforation tip 33 The point force applied is distributed over the tubular base body 1 evenly on the opposite side radially opposite the perforation 53 of the heat exchanger tube 52, so that no deformations occur here.

Around the cutting lever 3 with the perforation tip 33 back to its basic position to bring, the pressure line connection 43 of the actuating cylinder 4 pressurized. As a result, the piston 41 shifts from its left position shown in Fig. 2 in the right position shown in Fig. 1 Position (basic position). The actuator 2 is immediately in Connection with the piston 41 is reset in the axial direction, the Cutting lever 3 by means of the molded sliding blocks 36 on the two Flanks 23 of the actuating element 2 molded link guides 22 is pivoted into its basic position.

The perforation device can now be used to further introduce perforation openings be twisted in the tube. After completing the desired one The device can be perforated after being reset Basic position can be pulled out of the heat exchanger tube 52.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

tubular base body

11

inside end

12

Plug

13

concave support surface

14

outward end

15

Neckline, slot

2

actuator

21

approach ramp

22

Guide groove, link guide

23

flank

3

cutting lever

31

axis

32

swivel arm

33

perforation

34

hemispherical end

35

sliding surface

36

sliding block

4

actuating cylinder

41

piston

42

Pressure hose connector

43

Pressure hose connector

5

heat exchangers

51

tube plate

52

heat exchanger tube

53

perforation

Claims (11)

1. A heat-exchanger pipe perforation device with a tubular base body (1) which can be inserted into a pipeline (52), characterized in that an actuating element (2) is mounted so as to be displaceable in the axial direction and a cutter lever (3) with a perforation tip (33) is mounted so as to be pivotable in a substantially radial direction in the base body, wherein an actuating cylinder (4) is provided for displacing the actuating element (2) axially, and wherein the cutter lever (3) is swung out in the radial direction by way of a run-up slope (21) on the actuating element (2) or on the base body (1) in the event of relative movement between the latter, and the perforation tip (33) pierces the wall of the pipeline (52).
2. A heat-exchanger pipe perforation device according to Claim 1, characterized in that the actuating cylinder (4) is a double-acting hydraulic cylinder, the piston (41) of which is connected to the actuating element (2).
3. A heat-exchanger pipe perforation device according to Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the actuating cylinder (4) is arranged at the end (14) of the base body (1) which remains outside the pipeline (52) when the device is in the inserted position for perforation.
4. A heat-exchanger pipe perforation device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the run-up slope (21) is arranged on the actuating element (2) and the pivot axis (31) of the cutter lever (3) is situated in the base body (1).
5. A heat-exchanger pipe perforation device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that a restoring means (22, 36) is provided for pivoting the cutter lever (3) back into its normal position after the pipe-perforation procedure.
6. A heat-exchanger pipe perforation device according to Claim 5, characterized in that the restoring means is constructed in the form of a slotted guide (22) with positive locking on the run-up slope (21), wherein in the event of the restoration of the actuating element (2) being actuated by force the cutter lever (3) is moved into its pivoted-in normal position by way of the slotted guide (22).
7. A heat-exchanger pipe perforation device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the perforation tip (33) is pyramidal with a triangular or polygonal base.
8. A heat-exchanger pipe perforation device according to Claim 7, characterized in that the perforation tip (33) consists of hardened steel.
9. A heat-exchanger pipe perforation device according to one of the preceding Claims, characterized in that the cylindrical base body (1) has an external diameter which is slightly smaller than the internal diameter of the pipeline (52) to be perforated.
10. A heat-exchanger pipe perforation device according to Claim 9, characterized in that spacer elements in the shape of half shells for enlarging the external diameter of the device if necessary are provided for pipelines with a relatively large internal diameter.
11. A heat-exchanger pipe perforation device according to Claim 10, characterized in that catch elements with positive locking are provided on the spacer element and the base body (1) for fixing the spacer elements to the base body (1) during rotational and axial movements in the pipeline.

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