FR2827531A1 - Flexible metal tube manufacturing procedure uses rotating pressure assembly with spiral members to form annular grooves - Google Patents

Abstract

The flexible tube (10), made from a metal such as steel or aluminium, has a series of annular grooves made in its outer surface (E) by a rotating pressure assembly as it is advanced in line with its lengthwise axis (A). The pressure assembly consists of one or more rollers (20, 21, 22) with spiral outer surface projections (30, 31, 32) that rotate simultaneously about their own axes (50, 51, 52) and the axis of the tube. The rotation of the rollers is selected so as to ensure parallel and identical circular grooves in the metal tube.

Description

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METHOD AND DEVICE FOR CONTINUOUSLY MANUFACTURING A PIPE
METAL FLEXIBLE AND FORMING MEANS FOR SAID
MANUFACTURING
The present invention relates to the field of the production of flexible metal pipes.

 The present invention relates more particularly to a process for the continuous production of a flexible metal pipe having a longitudinal axis and on its outer face a plurality of circular grooves, said pipe being driven in a forward movement along its longitudinal axis and said circular grooves being produced by pressing, perpendicular to the direction of advance of said pipe, against said outer face, of at least one forming means having at least one boss.

 Flexible metallic pipes find applications in a wide variety of fields. They are used to convey liquid or gaseous fluids under pressure, in particular in the food industry, automobile, aeronautics, ...

 The prior art already knows continuous manufacturing processes for metallic flexible pipes.

 It is known, for example to produce the circular grooves, also called waves, by driving in the material using one or more forming means having a recess and on either side of the recess a bump. These forming means are rotated along an axis of advance of the pipe, all of the

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 forming means is also rotated along this axis of the pipe and the pipe is slightly inclined radially with respect to this axis during pressing by the forming means.

 The major drawback of this process is to cause very great efforts in the material and thus to decrease its intrinsic qualities. In addition, these efforts are eccentric and are accompanied by significant friction. This process makes it possible to produce waves having a limited height and consequently pipes having low flexibility.

 It has also been proposed to produce the grooves using a tool which advances step by step. This method, when accompanied by injection of fluid into the pipe, makes it possible to produce waves having a significant height, but it is a method, very slow because not continuous. It therefore generates a significant additional cost of implementation compared to continuous methods.

 The present invention intends to remedy the drawbacks of the prior art by proposing a process for the continuous production of metallic flexible pipes allowing a high manufacturing speed while preserving the material from premature degradation and while making it possible to produce waves having a significant height.

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 To do this, the present invention is of the type described above and it is remarkable, in its broadest sense, in that said pressing is carried out by driving in a rotational movement around the longitudinal axis of said pipe. a pressing assembly formed by a plurality of forming means each having respectively a longitudinal axis, said forming means each having respectively a longitudinal axis, said longitudinal axes being positioned in such a way that they are substantially concentric with respect to the axis longitudinal of said pipe, said forming means each having a helical boss and being further driven in a rotational movement on themselves.

 Thus, the waves are created by the combined movement: from the rotation of the forming means on their respective axes generating a progressive sinking of the tube, from the rotation of the pressing assembly around the pipe generating parallel waves, and from the axial advancement of the pipe.

 The speed of the rotations of the forming means and of the pressing assembly respectively is preferably adapted to the speed of advancement of the pipe, so as to allow parallel and identical circular grooves to be produced.

 The present invention also relates to the metal flexible pipe having a longitudinal axis and on its outer face a plurality of grooves

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 circular, manufactured by implementing the method according to the invention.

 The present invention also relates to a device for the continuous manufacture of a flexible metal hose having a longitudinal axis A and on its outer face E a plurality of circular grooves, said device comprising at least one forming means having on its face exterior at least one boss intended to allow said circular grooves to be produced by pressing against said exterior face of the pipe, remarkable in that said device comprises: a pressing assembly formed by a plurality of forming means each having respectively a longitudinal axis and a helical boss, said forming means being positioned in such a way that their respective longitudinal axes are substantially concentric with respect to the longitudinal axis of said pipe, means for driving in rotation said pressing assembly in a rotational movement around the axis of said pipe, drive means ent in rotation of said forming means according to a rotational movement on themselves, and - means for advancing in axial translation of said pipe.

 The rotary drive means are preferably driven in rotation by a single motor means.

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 Said forming means are preferably three in number.

 Said forming means are preferably positioned in such a way that the center of gravity of the pressing assembly is located substantially on the longitudinal axis of the pipe.

 The present invention also relates to a forming means for the continuous manufacture of a metal flexible pipe having a longitudinal axis and on its outer face a plurality of circular grooves, said forming means having on its outer face at least one boss intended to allow said circular grooves to be produced by pressing against said external face of the pipe, remarkable in that said forming means has a helical boss along respectively a longitudinal axis, said helical boss having a decreasing pitch.

 The forming means preferably has an increasing outside diameter in the direction of the decrease in pitch.

 In a variant, the forming means is cut from the mass.

 In another variant, the forming means is produced from a hollow support having on its periphery a helical slot in which a helical wire is secured.

 Said wire can be secured in said helical slot by melting of material (bonding, welding,

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 soldering, ...) or by mechanical fixing (pinning, screwing, ...) and cooperation with at least one fixing means.

 Said helical slot can be produced by assembling a plurality of different elements linked together.

 In another variant, said fixing means consists of a clamping tube intended to be introduced into said support and of a clamping ring.

 Advantageously, thanks to the method according to the invention, the forces on the material are balanced with respect to the pipe and the pipe thus retains its intrinsic qualities.

 Advantageously also, the friction is reduced, due to the combined kinematics of the double rotational movement of the forming means around the pipe.

 Advantageously also, the depth of the waves can be greater than with the continuous processes of the prior art because of the weakness of the aggression undergone by the metal and the progressiveness of the deformation authorized by the progressiveness of the pitch of the helicoid of the bosses.

 Advantageously, finally, different variants of forming means are proposed in order to allow only the components which require it to be changed, when they are worn.

 The invention will be better understood using the description, given below for purely explanatory purposes,

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- la figure 4 illustre une vue en coupe selon AA de la figure 3 ; - la figure 5 illustre une vue de côté, mi- coupée, d'un moyen de formage selon l'invention ; les figures 6 et 7 illustrent des vues de côté, mi-coupées, respectivement d'une variante d'un moyen de formage selon l'invention et d'un support pour la réalisation de ce moyen de pressage ; les figures 8 et 9 illustrent des vues de côté, mi-coupées, respectivement d'une variante d'un moyen de formage selon l'invention à fixation mécanique du fil hélicoïdal et d'un support pour la réalisation de ce moyen de pressage ; les figures 10 et 11 illustrent des vues de côté, mi-coupées, respectivement d'un moyen de formage selon l'invention réalisé à partir d'une pluralité d'éléments et d'un support pour la réalisation de ce moyen de pressage et les figures 12 et 13 illustrent des vues de côté, mi-coupées, d'un moyen de pressage selon l'invention of an embodiment of the invention, with reference to the appended figures: - Figure 1 illustrates the principle of the method according to the invention; - Figure 2 illustrates the principle of deformation of the outer surface of the pipe under the action of a pressing means; - Figure 3 illustrates a front view of the device according to the invention;

- Figure 4 illustrates a sectional view along AA of Figure 3; - Figure 5 illustrates a side view, half cut, of a forming means according to the invention; Figures 6 and 7 illustrate side views, half cut, respectively of a variant of a forming means according to the invention and of a support for the production of this pressing means; Figures 8 and 9 illustrate side views, half cut, respectively of a variant of a forming means according to the invention with mechanical fixing of the helical wire and a support for the realization of this pressing means; FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate side views, half cut, respectively, of a forming means according to the invention produced from a plurality of elements and a support for the production of this pressing means and Figures 12 and 13 illustrate side views, half cut, of a pressing means according to the invention

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 with clamping cylinder and clamping ring respectively assembled and in exploded view.

 The method according to the invention, illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, is a continuous manufacturing method of a flexible metal pipe (10) having a longitudinal axis A and on its outer face E a plurality of circular grooves (11), said pipe (10) being moved forward V along its longitudinal axis A and said circular grooves (11) being produced by pressing, perpendicular to the direction of travel V of said pipe (10), against said outer face E , at least one forming means (20) having at least one boss (30).

 The method according to the invention is characterized in that said pressing is carried out by driving in a rotational movement R around the longitudinal axis A of said pipe of a pressing assembly (40) formed by a plurality of forming means ( 20, 21, 22) each having respectively a longitudinal axis (50, 51, 52), said longitudinal axes (50, 51, 52) being positioned in such a way that they are substantially concentric with respect to the longitudinal axis A of said pipe (10), said forming means (20,21, 22) each having a helical boss (30,31, 32) and being further driven in a rotational movement R 'on themselves along their longitudinal axes (50 , 51, 52) respectively.

 Thus, the parallel waves are obtained by pressing the helical bosses (30, 31, 32) of each of the forming means (20, 21, 22), said means of

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 forming (20,21, 22) being driven both by a rotational movement R 'on themselves and a rotational movement R around the pipe (10).

 The longitudinal axes (50,51, 52) of the forming means (20,21, 22) are positioned substantially on the circumference of a circle C, the center of which is positioned on the longitudinal axis A of said pipe (10). Provision may also be made to vary the orientation of each of said longitudinal axes (50, 51, 52) with respect to each other or with respect to axis A, at most by a few degrees.

 To perfect the realization of parallel waves, the speed of the rotations R and R 'is adapted to the forward speed V of the pipe (10), so as to allow circular and identical grooves (11) to be produced in parallel.

 It is important to note that in the method according to the invention, the pipe (10) is not driven in rotation on itself, but only in translation along its longitudinal axis.

 The pipe (10) undergoes only the pressing stresses and consequently the material which constitutes it retains its intrinsic qualities, in particular of resistance to traction, to internal pressure, etc.

 The material used can be stainless steel, or a copper-based alloy, for example.

 The device (1), illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, for implementing the method and manufacturing it

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 continuous of the flexible pipe (10) comprises a frame (2) supporting: a pressing assembly (40) formed by a plurality of forming means (20,21, 22) each having respectively a longitudinal axis (50,51, 52) each having a helical boss (30, 31, 32), said forming means (20, 21, 22) being positioned in such a way that their respective longitudinal axes (50, 51, 52) are substantially concentric with respect to the axis longitudinal A of said pipe (10), means (60) for rotating said pressing assembly (40) in a rotational movement R around the axis A of said pipe, means (70, 71, 72) d driving in rotation of said forming means (20, 21, 22) according to a rotational movement R 'on themselves along their respective longitudinal axes (50, 51, 52), and means for advancing in axial translation of said pipe (10) (not shown).

 The means (60,70,71,72) for driving in rotation are driven in rotation by a single motor means (80). This drive means (80) is a drive gear driven by a drive pulley (81) itself driven by a motor, not shown.

 The drive means (80) drives the shafts (100, 101, 102) of the forming means (20, 21, 22) by means, successively and respectively for each of the shafts, of a satellite pinion (110, 111, 112), d '' a sealed gearbox (120,121, 122) and a shaft pinion (130,131, 132).

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 Free supports (82) are also provided at different points on the frame (2), in order to allow rotation R of the pressing assembly (40).

 Only the three shafts (100, 101, 102) of the forming means (20, 21, 22) of this pressing assembly (40) have been shown. The forming means (20, 21, 22) are preferably positioned on these shafts (100, 101, 102) in a removable manner, in order to allow the forming means (20, 21, 22) to be easily changed when they are worn.

 Said forming means (20, 21, 22) are positioned such that the center of gravity of the pressing assembly (40) is located substantially on the longitudinal axis A of the pipe (10).

 Means may also be provided for varying the orientation of each of said longitudinal axes (50, 51, 52) with respect to each other or with respect to the axis A, to the maximum of a few degrees.

 The longitudinal axis A of the pipe (10) is also coincident with the direction of advance V represented by the arrow V in FIGS. 2 and 4.

 For the conformation of the pipe (10), it is therefore necessary to introduce it through an opening (83) formed in the center of the device (1).

 The forming means (20, 21, 22) or forming roller for the continuous manufacture of the metal flexible pipe (10), illustrated in FIG. 5, preferably has a helical boss (30, 31, 32) with pitch P

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 declining. The helical shape is produced respectively along the longitudinal axes (50,51, 52).

 The forming means (20, 21, 22) has an increasing outside diameter in the direction of the decrease in the pitch P. The total proximal diameter D1 is less than the total distal diameter D2.

 In a variant of the invention, the forming means (20, 21, 22) is made of metal alloy and is cut in the mass.

 In another variant of the invention, the forming means (20, 21, 22) is produced from a hollow support (140, 141, 142), with constant internal diameter for the passage of a shaft, having on its around a helical slot (150, 151, 152) in which a helical wire (143) is secured.

 In this variant, said wire (143) can be secured to the support (140, 141, 142), in said helical slot (150, 151, 152), by melting of material (bonding, welding, soldering, etc.), as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

 Also in this variant, said wire (143) can be secured in said helical slot (150, 151,152) by mechanical fixing (pinning, screwing, ...) and cooperation with at least one removable fixing means (160, 161,162), as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 9, in order to allow the wire (143) to be changed if necessary.

 In this variant also, said helical slot (150,151, 152) can be produced by assembling a plurality of elements (170, 170 ', 170 "; 171,171', 171"; 172, 172 ', 172 ") different related between

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eux d'une manière amovible, comme illustré figures 10 et 11.

them in a removable manner, as illustrated in FIGS. 10 and 11.

 Each element (170, 170 ', 170' '; 171, 171', 171 ''; 172, 172 ', 172' ') has an open ring shape, the opening of which allows a pitch P of the shape helical. The thicknesses of the ring shapes decrease in the direction of the decrease of the pitch P.

Each element (170,170 ', 170' '; 171,171', 171 ''; 172, 172 ', 172' ') has a shoulder, in order to allow said helical slot (150,151, 152) to be produced. This variant has the advantage of being removable and making it possible to change only the damaged elements, if necessary, in order to achieve maintenance savings.

 In another variant, finally, said fixing means (160,161, 162) consists of a clamping tube (180,181, 182) intended to be reversibly inserted into said support (140,141, 142) and a ring clamping (190,191, 192), as illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13. The support (140,141, 142) thus has the shape of a conical helical spring with non-contiguous turns, with decreasing pitch and with decreasing external diameter. The inside diameter of the support (140,141, 142) is also decreasing and the outside diameter of the clamping tube (180,181, 182) is also decreasing, but the outside diameter of the clamping tube (180,181, 182) is preferably constant.

 The invention is described in the foregoing by way of example. It is understood that the skilled person is at

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 even to realize different variants of the invention without departing from the scope of the patent.

Claims (15)

1. A method of continuously manufacturing a flexible metal pipe (10) having a longitudinal axis A and on its outer face E a plurality of circular grooves (11), said pipe (10) being driven in a forward movement V along its longitudinal axis A and said circular grooves (11) being produced by pressing, perpendicular to the direction of advance V of said pipe (10), against said outer face E, of at least one forming means (20) having at least one boss (30), characterized in that said pressing is carried out by driving in a rotational movement R around the longitudinal axis A of said pipe of a pressing assembly (40) formed by a plurality of forming means (20,21, 22) each having respectively a longitudinal axis (50,51, 52), said longitudinal axes (50,51, 52) being positioned in such a way that they are substantially concentric with respect to the longitudinal axis A of said pipe (10), the Said forming means (20, 21, 22) each having a helical boss (30, 31, 32) and being further driven in a rotational movement R 'on themselves.  2. Method according to claim 1, characterized in that the speed of the rotations R and R is adapted to the forward speed V of the pipe (10), so as to allow circular and identical grooves (11) to be produced parallel and identical .  3. Flexible metal hose (10) having a longitudinal axis A and on its outer face E a <Desc / Clms Page number 16>  plurality of circular grooves (11) produced by implementing the method according to claim 1 or claim 2.  4. Device (1) for the continuous manufacture of a flexible metal pipe (10) having a longitudinal axis A and on its outer face E a plurality of circular grooves (11), said device (1) comprising at least one means forming (20) having on its outer face E'at least one boss (30) intended to enable said circular grooves (11) to be produced by pressing against said outer face E of the pipe (10), characterized in that said device ( 1) comprises: a pressing assembly (40) formed by a plurality of forming means (20,21, 22) each having a longitudinal axis (50,51, 52) and a helical boss (30,31, 32) respectively , said forming means (20, 21, 22) being positioned in such a way that their respective longitudinal axes (50, 51, 52) are substantially concentric with respect to the longitudinal axis A of said pipe (10), means (60 ) for rotating said pressing assembly (40) lon a rotational movement R around the axis A of said pipe, means (70,71,72) for driving in rotation said forming means (20,21,22) according to a

 rotational movement R 'on themselves, and - means for advancing in axial translation of said pipe (10). <Desc / Clms Page number 17>  5. Device (1) according to claim 4, characterized in that the means (60,70 71,72) for driving in rotation are driven in rotation by a single motor means (80).  6. Device (1) according to claim 4 or claim 5, characterized in that said forming means (20,21, 22) are three in number.  7. Device (1) according to any one of claims 4 to 6, characterized in that said forming means (20,21, 22) are positioned so that the center of gravity of the pressing assembly (40 ) is located substantially on the longitudinal axis A of the pipe (10).  8. forming means (20, 21, 22) for the continuous manufacture of a flexible metal hose (10) having a longitudinal axis A and on its outer face E a plurality of circular grooves (11), said forming means (20,21, 22) having on its outer face E'at least one boss (30,31, 32) intended to allow said circular grooves (11) to be produced by pressing against said outer face E of the pipe (10), characterized in that said forming means (20,21, 22) has a helical boss (30,31, 32) along respectively a longitudinal axis (50,51, 52), said helical boss (30,31, 32) having a not decreasing P.  9. Forming means (20, 21, 22) according to claim 8, characterized in that it has an increasing outside diameter in the direction of the <Desc / Clms Page number 18> 10. Forming means (20, 21, 22) according to claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that it is cut in the mass.  11. Forming means (20, 21, 22) according to claim 8 or claim 9, characterized in that it is produced from a hollow support (140, 141, 142) having on its periphery a helical slot (150, 151 , 152) in which is secured a helical wire (143).  12. Forming means (20, 21, 22) according to claim 11, characterized in that said wire (143) is secured in said helical slot (150, 151, 152) by melting of material (bonding, welding, soldering, .. .).  13. Forming means (20, 21, 22) according to claim 11, characterized in that said wire (143) is secured in said helical slot (150, 151, 152) by mechanical fixing (pinning, screwing, ...) and cooperation with at least one fixing means (160,161, 162).  14. Forming means (20, 21, 22) according to claim 13, characterized in that said helical slot (150, 151, 152) is produced by assembling a plurality of elements (170, 170 ', 170' '; 171,171 ', 171' '; 172,172', 172 '') different linked together.  15. Forming means (20, 21, 22) according to claim 13, characterized in that said fixing means (160, 161, 162) consists of a clamping tube (180, 181, 182) intended to be introduced into said support. (140,141, 142) and a clamping ring (190, 191,192).