EP3216535A1 - Apparatus and method for benid a longitudinal cylindrical canalization - Google Patents

Abstract

A bending machine (100) of at least one longitudinal cylindrical pipe (CC), the bending machine (100) comprising at least one heating module (1) configured to heat a longitudinal cylindrical pipe (CC) and at least one deformation module (2) configured to deform a longitudinal portion of a longitudinal cylindrical duct (CC) in order to bend it, said heating module (1) having a plurality of heating members (10), each heating member ( 10) comprising a heating peripheral body (11) defining an inner opening (12) adapted to allow the passage of a longitudinal portion of a longitudinal cylindrical pipe (CC) to be heated.

Description

GENERAL TECHNICAL FIELD AND PRIOR ART

The present invention relates to the field of bending a longitudinal cylindrical pipe, in particular for an aeronautical application. Such a pipe can drive any type of fluid, in particular, air, water or fuel.

In known manner, a curved pipe is obtained by bending a straight line by means of a bending machine. A bending machine commonly includes a mechanical deformation module that allows to mechanically deform a portion of the pipe. The deformation module comprises a displacement member and a stop member, the displacement member being configured to grasp a longitudinal portion of the pipe in order to force it against the stop member. Thus, the longitudinal portion of the pipe in contact with the stop member is deformed and matches the shape of the stop member. The deformation module is advantageously configurable to adjust, for example, the length of the bent portion or the bending angle.

To facilitate the deformation of the pipe, it is known to equip a bending machine with a heating module to heat the pipe prior to its deformation. Indeed, heating a pipe, in particular plastic, can soften and thus facilitate its deformation by limiting the risk of damage.

In the prior art, there is known a heating module comprising two jaws, of complementary shape, which are adapted to, on the one hand, clamp between them a longitudinal portion of the pipe and, on the other hand, heat it by thermal conduction. . Each jaw is heated so that the heat of the jaw is transmitted by thermal conduction to the longitudinal portion of the pipe which is tightened. Such a heating module can heat only a single length of the longitudinal portion of the pipe, that is to say, that equal to the length of each jaw. Also, in practice, longitudinal portions of the pipe that need not be deformations can be heated, which is a loss of energy and can further weaken the pipeline. Finally, such jaws only allow heating pipes of the same diameter, which requires changing jaws for pipes of different diameters. Thus, the use of jaws causes inconvenience in terms of logistics and slows down bending operations (slow heating, long change, etc.).

The invention therefore aims to overcome these disadvantages by proposing a new bending machine and a new bending process.

GENERAL PRESENTATION OF THE INVENTION

For this purpose, the invention relates to a machine for bending at least one longitudinal cylindrical pipe, the bending machine comprising at least one heating module configured to heat a longitudinal cylindrical pipe and at least one deformation module configured to deform a pipe. longitudinal portion of a longitudinal cylindrical pipe in order to bend it.

The invention is remarkable in that the said heating module comprises a plurality of heating elements, each heating element comprising a heating peripheral body defining an internal opening adapted to allow the passage of a longitudinal portion of a longitudinal cylindrical pipe. to heat.

Such a heating module allows to heat a peripheral manner and homogeneously a pipe, which limits the risk of damage during bending. In addition, such a heating module allows non-contact heating, which avoids any mechanical damage to the pipe during heating. Advantageously, such a heating module is used to heat pipes of different diameters. Finally, the use of a plurality of heating elements in the same heating module makes it possible to adjust the heating length and to avoid heating a portion of the duct that must not be bent. The risk of damage is thus limited.

Preferably, the inner openings of the heating members are aligned along an axis. Thus, the heating elements can heat consecutive elementary portions of the longitudinal pipe when the latter extends along said axis.

Preferably, two consecutive heating elements are separated by an axial distance of between 5 mm and 50 mm, preferably between 15 mm and 30 mm. Such spacing makes it possible to ensure a compromise between a continuous heating between two consecutive elementary portions of the pipe and a limitation of the risk of excessive heating of an elementary portion of the pipe due to the accumulation of the heating generated by said heating elements. heater.

Preferably, the heating peripheral body extends in a plane in order to limit its bulk while allowing to heat a portion of pipe of reduced length. Preferably, the heating peripheral body has a thickness of between 5 mm and 20 mm. More preferably, the heating peripheral body extends in a plane orthogonal to the axis in which are aligned the inner openings of the heating members so as to achieve a heating orthogonal to the pipe.

Preferably, the heating peripheral body is substantially annular in order to homogeneously heat the periphery of the pipe. Preferably, the peripheral heating body has an omega shape, which makes it possible to position its supply connector radially outwards. The size of the heating elements in the heating module is thus limited. Preferably, each heating peripheral body has an internal diameter of between 80 mm and 90 mm.

Preferably, each heater is configured to concentrate the heating in its interior opening. Preferably, the heating peripheral body comprises a coating configured to guide said heating, preferably in gold.

Preferably, each heating member emits infrared radiation. Such radiation makes it possible to heat a longitudinal portion quickly with a high efficiency.

Preferably, the heating module comprises a peripheral support casing in which the heating elements are mounted. The efficiency of the heating elements is reinforced because the envelope makes it possible to reflect the heating. Preferably, the inner surface of the envelope is covered with aluminum, preferably glossy polished aluminum.

According to a preferred aspect, each heating member comprises a plurality of peripheral heating bodies, preferably juxtaposed.

Preferably, the bending machine comprises a control module configured to activate a selection of said heating elements of the heating module. Thus, the length of the longitudinal portion to be heated can be set to avoid heating a portion that should not be bent.

Preferably, the control module is configured to parameterize the heating module according to the parameterization of the deformation module. In other words, the heating is made to measure depending on the desired bending. Thus, only the longitudinal portion to be deformed is heated, which limits the risk of damage.

• une étape d'introduction d'une portion longitudinale de la canalisation cylindrique longitudinale dans les ouvertures intérieures des organes de chauffage du module de chauffage,
• une étape de chauffage d'au moins une partie de la portion longitudinale chauffée par activation d'au moins une partie des organes de chauffage, et
• une étape de déformation par le module de déformation de la partie de la portion longitudinale de la canalisation cylindrique longitudinale de manière à la cintrer.

The invention also relates to a method of bending at least one longitudinal cylindrical pipe by means of a bending machine as presented above, the method comprising:

• a step of introducing a longitudinal portion of the longitudinal cylindrical pipe into the inner openings of the heating elements of the heating module,
• a step of heating at least a portion of the heated longitudinal portion by activation of at least a portion of the heaters, and
• a step of deformation by the deformation module of the portion of the longitudinal portion of the longitudinal cylindrical pipe so as to bend it.

Thus, a longitudinal portion of the pipe is heated without contact by the heating module. In addition, the heating length can be adapted.

More preferably, the method comprises a step of determining a longitudinal target portion of the longitudinal cylindrical pipe to be bent, a step of heating the target longitudinal portion by selective activation of the heating elements and a deformation step by the module of deformation of said target portion.

Such a method allows custom heating according to the desired bending. Advantageously, the risk of damage is limited as well as the risk of excessive heating.

PRESENTATION OF FIGURES

• la figure 1 est une représentation schématique globale d'une machine de cintrage selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 2 est une représentation schématique d'un module de chauffage et d'un module de déformation selon une forme de réalisation de l'invention,
• la figure 3 est une représentation schématique de face d'un organe de chauffage d'un module de chauffage,
• les figures 4 et 5 sont des vues en perspective d'une forme de réalisation d'un module de chauffage selon l'invention, et
• les figures 6 à 9 sont des représentations schématiques d'étapes d'un procédé de cintrage selon l'invention.

The invention will be better understood on reading the description which will follow, given solely by way of example, and referring to the appended drawings in which:

• the figure 1 is an overall schematic representation of a bending machine according to one embodiment of the invention,
• the figure 2 is a schematic representation of a heating module and a deformation module according to one embodiment of the invention,
• the figure 3 is a schematic front view of a heating element of a heating module,
• the Figures 4 and 5 are perspective views of an embodiment of a heating module according to the invention, and
• the Figures 6 to 9 are schematic representations of steps of a bending process according to the invention.

It should be noted that the figures disclose the invention in detail to implement the invention, said figures can of course be used to better define the invention where appropriate.

DESCRIPTION OF ONE OR MORE MODES OF REALIZATION AND IMPLEMENTATION

With reference to the figure 1 , there is shown a bending machine 100 of at least one longitudinal cylindrical pipe CC. Such a pipe CC can drive any type of fluid, in particular, air, water or fuel. It will be presented later a method of bending a pipe CC of thermoplastic material but it goes without saying that the invention also applies to a pipe of metal material.

The bending machine 100 has several modules to allow automated bending of a DC pipe. In particular, the bending machine 100 makes it possible, consecutively, several longitudinal portions curved on the same pipe CC.

As shown schematically in the figure 1 , the bending machine 100 comprises a heating module 1, a deformation module 2, a control module 3 and a transport module 4 intended to move the duct CC of the heating module 1 to the deformation module 2.

The deformation module 2 makes it possible to bend a longitudinal portion of the pipe CC according to the wishes of the operator. In other words, the deformation module 2 is configurable so as to produce curved portions of different lengths and shapes (bending angle, bending direction, etc.).

In this example, with reference to the figure 2 , the deformation module 2 comprises a displacement member 20, an abutment member 21 and a pressure member 22, the displacement member 20 being configured to constrain a portion of the pipe CC against the abutment member 21, called also "anvil", to bend it. Such deformation module 2 is known to those skilled in the art and will not be presented in more detail.

As illustrated in figure 2 , the bending machine 100 comprises a heating module 1 for heating the pipe CC before bending by the deformation module 2. Preliminary heating facilitates mechanical deformation of the pipe CC. With reference to the figure 1 , the CC line is adapted to move upstream downstream along an axis X in the bending machine 100. For this purpose, the heating module 1 is located upstream of the deformation module 2.

With reference to Figures 1 and 2 , the heating module 1 is located near the deformation module 2 so as to avoid a cooling of the pipe CC during its displacement along the X axis between the heating module 1 and the deformation module 2. Preferably, the axial distance between the heating module 1 and the deformation module 2 is less than 20 mm. Preferably, the heating module 1 is distinct from the deformation module 2 in order to offer greater freedom of movement to the deformation module 2 during the bending steps.

With reference to the figure 2 , the heating module 1 comprises a plurality of heating elements 10. In this example and by way of example, the heating module 1 comprises 6 heating members 10 mounted in a peripheral support envelope 14 which will be presented by the after.

As illustrated in figure 3 representing a heater 10 seen from the front, each heating member 10 comprises a single heating peripheral body 11 defining an inner opening 12 adapted to allow the passage of a longitudinal portion of a pipe CC to be heated. Nevertheless, it goes without saying that a heating member 10 could comprise several heated peripheral bodies, in particular, juxtaposed.

In this example, each heater 10 emits infrared radiation so as to heat the DC line without contact. Preferably, each heating element 10 emits infrared radiation of the short-wave type, for example 0.76 to 2 μm, for a power of the order of 900 W, which allows for rapid heating.

In this example, each heating member 10 is configured to concentrate the heating in its inner opening 12. Such a heating member 10 is used to heat, in a targeted manner, a longitudinal portion of the pipe CC. For this purpose, the heating peripheral body 11 comprises a reflective coating, for example in or, in order to direct the infrared radiation towards its inner opening 12. Preferably, the coating is disposed on the radially outer portion of the heating peripheral body 11. Preferably, the heating peripheral body 11 extends in a plane in order to limit its size.

Preferably, the thickness of the heating peripheral body 11 is between 5 mm and 20 mm. More preferably, the heating peripheral body 11 is substantially annular, in particular in the form of omega. In this example, the heating peripheral body 11 has a diameter of between 80 mm and 90 mm and is used to heat a DC pipe whose diameter is between 9.52 mm and 50.8 mm. Such a peripheral heating body 11 allows for uniform heating at the periphery of the portion of the pipe CC to be heated. As illustrated in figure 3 the heating member 10 has a connector 13 extending radially outwardly from the heating peripheral body 11.

With reference to the figure 2 , the heating elements 10 are positioned parallel to each other so that the inner openings 12 of the heating elements 10 are aligned along an axis, in particular the X axis of displacement of the pipe CC in the machine of bending 100 to concentrate the radiation on the pipe CC. Preferably, each heating peripheral body 11 extends in a plane orthogonal to the axis X in which the internal openings 12 of the heating elements 10 are aligned.

Preferably, two consecutive heating elements 10 are spaced apart by an axial distance of between 15 mm and 30 mm so as to achieve a discrete heating of a plurality of consecutive elementary portions of a pipe CC. Such spacing makes it possible to continuously heat two consecutive elementary portions of a pipe CC when the two consecutive heating elements 10 are activated.

In this example, the heating elements 10 are identical for the sake of simplicity but it goes without saying that they could be different.

As illustrated in particular at figure 4 , the heating module 1 further comprises an axially extending peripheral support casing 14 which comprises an inner face on which the heating elements 10 are supported. In other words, the heating elements 10 are mounted internally to the heating module 1 .

Preferably, the inner surface of the envelope 14 is covered with aluminum, preferably glossy polished aluminum, in order to concentrate and homogenize the radiation. In addition, it has a polygonal section, in this example, dodecagonal to confine the radiation. It goes without saying that a circular section envelope could also be suitable. In this example, the inner surface of the support casing 14 is polished to reflect the infrared radiation towards the duct CC and to minimize the absorption of the radiation by the support casing 14.

Such a support casing 14 facilitates the positioning of the heating elements 10 relative to each other and precisely, for example, by means of positioning clamps for holding a heating member 10 (closed clamp ) or limit its travel (open clamp). In this example, each heating member 10 is associated with a closed gripper and two open grippers. The support casing 14 is open at its axial ends to allow the passage of a pipe DC along the axis X. Preferably, the heating module 1 also comprises cooling means, in particular, a fan which is activated according to the temperature measured in the support casing 14.

With reference to the figure 5 , the heating module 1 further comprises a peripheral protection enclosure 15, in which the support casing 14 is mounted, to limit the infrared radiation outside the heating module 1.

In this example, with reference to the figure 1 , the transport module 4 comprises an automated displacement clamp (not shown) adapted to move the pipe along the axis of displacement X. It goes without saying that the transport module 4 could be in another form.

Preferably, the bending machine 100 comprises a temperature probe (not shown), for example a pyrometer, for measuring the temperature of the heated longitudinal portion of the pipe CC. The transport module 4 is configured to move the pipe CC when a predetermined set temperature is reached.

With reference to the figure 1 , the bending machine 100 further comprises a control module 3 configured to activate a selection of said heating elements 10 of the heating module 1. Thus, advantageously, the heating module 1 does not perform heating over the entire length of the heating module 1 but only over a reduced length. Thus, only the portion of the pipe CC to be bent is heated, the portions that must not be curved are not heated, which limits the risk of mechanical loss due to heating.

Preferably, the control module 3 is configured to activate the heating module 1 according to the parameterization of the deformation module 2. In other words, the control module 3 makes it possible to coordinate said modules 1, 2 in order to achieve a suitable heating. to the desired bending, in particular, a predetermined bending angle. More preferably, the control module 3 also makes it possible to coordinate the transport module 4 in order to heat, move and deform a target portion of the pipe CC automatically so as to improve the efficiency.

Preferably, the control module 3 is in the form of a computer in which bending programs can be entered so as to form, in a fast and practical manner, a pipe of desired shape from a longitudinal pipe.

A method of bending at least one longitudinal cylindrical pipe by means of the bending machine 100 will be presented with reference to Figures 6 to 9 .

Advantageously, the longitudinal cylindrical duct CC may have a diameter of between 9.52 mm and 50.8 mm, in particular a diameter of 12.7, 19.05 or 25.4 mm.

With reference to the figure 6 , a first longitudinal portion P1 of the longitudinal cylindrical pipe CC is introduced into the inner openings 12 of the heating elements 10 of the heating module 1, in particular along the axis X of displacement. After introduction, the first longitudinal portion P1 extends to the center of the heating members 10 in their inner openings 12.

With reference to the figure 7 , the heating module 1 is then activated so as to heat the first longitudinal portion P1. In this example, the 6 heating members 10 are activated by the control module 3. Each heating member 10 emits infrared radiation towards its center, that is to say, towards the first longitudinal portion P1 which is thus heated without being in mechanical contact with said heating member 10. An emission of infrared radiation allows rapid heating compared to heat conduction heating according to the prior art.

Then, the transport module 4 moves the first longitudinal portion P1 in the deformation module 2. Preferably, a temperature sensor measures the temperature of the first longitudinal portion P1 and moves it when a set temperature is reached.

In this example, the pipe CC is moved axially along the X axis of displacement. Advantageously, since the heating module 1 and the deformation module 2 are close to one another, the first longitudinal portion P1 is still at an elevated temperature during its deformation.

With reference to the figure 8 , the first longitudinal portion P1 located in the deformation module 2 is moved by the displacement member 20 against the stop member 21 in order to bend it. As the first longitudinal portion P1 is at a high temperature, the bending is performed quickly and reliably, the risk of damage is limited.

The control module 3 makes it possible to coordinate the different modules 1, 2, 4 so that the first longitudinal portion P1 is rapidly heated, displaced and deformed in order to obtain a high yield.

Following heating and deformation of the first longitudinal portion P1, a second longitudinal portion P2 of the pipe CC can also be heated and deformed. Advantageously, the second longitudinal portion P2 may be heated during the deformation of the first longitudinal portion P1.

With reference to the figure 9 a second longitudinal portion P2 is located in the heating module 1. Only a portion of the heating elements 10 is activated by the control module 3 so as to heat only a portion P2a of the second longitudinal portion P2. In this example, only 2 heating members 10 are activated. Thanks to the invention, it is possible to precisely define the length of the pipe CC to be heated in order to avoid heating a part that must not be bent. The risk of failure when the material of the pipe is heated, that is to say softened, is thus reduced.

Preferably, the control module 3 receives a bending program so as to form a pipe of desired shape from a rectilinear longitudinal pipe. The bending program includes a list of longitudinal portions to be bent and the associated bending angle. For this purpose, the control module 3 determines the target longitudinal portion of the pipe CC to be bent and controls a heating of said target longitudinal portion by selective activation of the heating elements 10 as a function of the bending angle. The control module 3 orders the deformation of said target portion according to the parameterization defined in the bending program.

In other words, the control module 3 can automate, coordinate and adapt the operation of the bending machine 100 to achieve the desired pipe. The pipe obtained is robust because it undergoes only the heating necessary for its bending and, without mechanical contact likely to damage it. Finally, the energy efficiency to achieve bending is greatly improved.

Claims (9)

Bending machine (100) of at least one longitudinal cylindrical pipe (CC), the bending machine (100) comprising at least one heating module (1) configured to heat a longitudinal cylindrical pipe (CC) and at least one module deformation device (2) configured to deform a longitudinal portion of a longitudinal cylindrical pipe (CC) in order to bend it, bending machine characterized in that said heating module (1) comprises a plurality of heating elements (10) ) emitting infrared radiation, each heating member (10) having a heating peripheral body (11) defining an inner opening (12) adapted to allow the passage of a longitudinal portion of a longitudinal cylindrical pipe (CC) to be heated. Bending machine (100) according to claim 1, wherein the inner openings (12) of the heating members (10) are aligned along an axis (X). Bending machine (100) according to claim 2, wherein two consecutive heating members (10) are separated by an axial distance of between 5 mm and 50 mm, preferably between 15 mm and 30 mm. Bending machine (100) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the heating peripheral body (11) extends in a plane. Bending machine (100) according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the heating peripheral body (11) is substantially annular. Bending machine (100) according to one of claims 1 to 5, wherein each heating member (10) is configured to concentrate the heating in its inner opening (12). Bending machine (100) according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the bending machine (100) comprises a control module (3) configured to activate a selection of said heating elements (10) of the heating module (1). Bending machine (100) according to claim 7, wherein the control module (3) is configured to set the heating module (1) according to the parameterization of the deformation module (2). A method of bending at least one longitudinal cylindrical pipe (CC) by means of a bending machine (100) according to one of claims 1 to 8, the method comprising: a step of introducing a longitudinal portion of the longitudinal cylindrical pipe (CC) into the inner openings (12) of the heating elements (10) of the heating module (1), a step of heating at least a portion of the longitudinal portion (CC) by activation of at least a portion of the heating members (10), and - A deformation step by the deformation module (2) of the heated portion of the longitudinal portion of the longitudinal cylindrical pipe (CC) so as to bend.

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