JPH0233452B2 - - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention [Field of Industrial Application] The present invention relates to a tube expansion device for assembling a tube support structure, which is used to expand and connect a sleeve of a tube support structure and a tube inserted into the sleeve. It is something.

[Prior art]

For example, when combining two pipes into one,
Butt each end of these tubes together or
Alternatively, it is possible to weld the end of one pipe with the end of the other pipe inserted slightly into the end of the other pipe, but if the two pipes are made of different materials, it is difficult to weld these pipes reliably and firmly. Can not.

Therefore, in such cases, the two tubes are physically connected by fitting the two tubes together at their ends and pushing and expanding the fitted portion from the inside.

By the way, fuel assemblies are used in pressurized water type light water reactors currently in use. To assemble this fuel assembly, first construct the support structure (skeleton assembly) 1 shown in FIG. Installing the nozzle.

The support structure 1 is composed of a lower nozzle 3, a plurality of control rod guide tubes 4, and a plurality of support grids 2. Grid sleeves 5 are brazed in the predetermined grid spaces shown in FIGS. 11 and 12 of the upper grid 2a and the middle grid 2b, and these grid sleeves 5 have markings shown in FIG. 12. The control rod guide tube 4 is inserted therethrough.
The grid sleeve 5 and the control rod guide tube 4 are made of different materials, and are expanded and joined at the locations indicated by marks in the figure.

To assemble support structure 1, attach grid 2 to a cleaned skeleton assembly jig.
The control rod guide tube 4, lower nozzle 3, and shoulder screw (not shown) are set, the lower nozzle 3 and lower grid 2c are fixed by the shoulder screw, and the control rod guide tube is set in the assembly jig. 4 into the holes of each grid sleeve 5 and lower nozzle 3, and insert the
The extension bar 7 and pipe 8 of the tube expansion device (expander) 6 shown in FIG. The rod guide tube 4 and the grid sleeve 5 are expanded simultaneously to connect them.

The aforementioned grid sleeve 5 and control rod guide tube 4
In connection with the pipe expansion, the pipe expansion operation is performed as described below using the pipe expansion device 6 shown in FIG. That is, a double acting cylinder 9 attached to the fixed plate 6a
The extension bar 7 is moved through the fixing plate 6b fixed to the bar holder 10 and inserted into the pipe 8 of the pipe holder 11.
Arrow A in FIG. 13 with bar holder 10
direction (starting tube expansion).

b After the set time has elapsed, return the bar holder 10 (end of tube expansion).

c. Repeat the above operation ab in the pipe expansion work of the upper grid 2a and each intermediate grid 2b.
As a result, both the upper grid 2a and the middle grid 2b are expanded to substantially the same diameter and shape at the same time. Note that no pipe expansion work is performed on the lower nozzle 3.

[Problem that the invention seeks to solve]

However, in assembling a support structure using such a conventional tube expansion device, if the expansion point (number of tube expansions) of the control rod guide tube 4 inserted through the grid 2 differs depending on the position of the grid 2, for example, the upper grid When it was necessary to expand the pipes at 16 locations in the middle grid 2a, 17 locations in the middle grid 2b, and 8 locations in the lower grid 2c, it was not possible to simultaneously expand the desired pipes with a single pipe expansion device.

Further, when the desired diameter and shape of the pipe expansion in the pipe expansion are different, the same pipe expansion device cannot perform the desired pipe expansion.

In both of the above cases, the tube expansion device must be used several times to expand the tube in sequence, resulting in poor work efficiency.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a tube expansion device for assembling a tube support structure that solves the above-mentioned problems of conventional devices.

[Means for deciding the issue]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention has the following configuration. That is, a cylinder mechanism fixedly provided on a substrate, a plate-shaped first bar holder attached to the tip of a plunger of this cylinder mechanism, and a cylinder on the opposite side of the first bar holder from the plunger. a first bar fixed at a predetermined distance from each other along the axial direction of the mechanism, and having a tube expansion mechanism at its tip that is activated by movement of the first bar holder to a predetermined position; A second bar is provided opposite to the mounting surface of the first bar of the bar holder and is movable toward and away from the first bar holder along the axis of the cylinder mechanism, and has a hole through which the first bar is inserted. a second bar holder, which is fixed to the opposite surface of the second bar holder from the first bar holder along the axial direction of the cylinder mechanism and at a predetermined interval from each other;
a second bar having a tube expansion mechanism that is activated by movement of the bar holder to a predetermined position; and an engagement/disengagement mechanism that engages and disengages the first and second bar holders from each other;
The structure includes a drive device that moves and positions the substrate in the axial direction of the cylinder mechanism.

〔Effect of the invention〕

According to the present invention, when applied to the pipe expansion for fuel support structure assembly, in the pipe expansion of the fuel support structure,
Even if the number of expanded tubes, expanded diameter, and expanded tube shape are the same depending on the grid position, or even if they differ, the tube expansion in each grid can be performed simultaneously with one device, improving work efficiency. Significantly improved. Furthermore, if the present invention is applied not only to expanding pipes for assembling fuel support structures, but also to expanding pipes for assembling general pipe support structures,
It becomes possible to achieve the same effect as when the present invention is applied to the expanded pipe for assembling a fuel support structure, and its application range is wide, and its practical effects are extremely large.

〔Example〕

Hereinafter, one embodiment of the present invention will be described based on FIGS. 1 to 10.

Reference numeral 21 in FIG.
4 and 25 are fixedly erected with a predetermined distance apart,
These fixed plates 23, 24, 25 are supported by a support rod 26 to form a frame. A double-acting hollow cylinder (cylinder mechanism) 2 is installed in the center of the fixed plate 24.
7 is fixed with the tip of the plunger 63 protruding toward the fixing plate 25 side. In addition, the fixed plate 24 has two
A book guide rod 28 is provided so as to protrude toward the fixed plate 25 side, parallel to it, and positioned at the same height as the base plate 22. A first bar holder 29 and a second bar holder 30 in opposing plate shapes are slidably fitted into the two guide rods 28 . The first bar holder 29 is fixed to the plunger of the double-acting hollow cylinder 27 and can move close to and away from the fixed plate 24.

The first bar holder 29 has eight first extension bars (first bars) 31 attached to the fixing plate 25.
It is provided so as to protrude to the side. first bar 31
corresponds to the control rod guide tube 33 at the location shown in the lower grid 32c in FIG.
The bar holder 29 is screwed and attached to the bar holder 29 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6. Also, the first
The bar 31 is loosely inserted into a hole 34 formed in the second bar holder 30. The first bar holder 29 is also provided with three protrusions 36 that have hook-shaped claws 35 at their tips and protrude toward the fixing plate 25 side. These protrusions 36 are connected to the double-acting hollow cylinder 27
It is provided at three equal positions on the circumference of a predetermined radius centered on the axis of.

The second bar holder 30 has eight second extension bars (second bars) 37 attached to the fixed plate 2.
It is provided so as to protrude toward the 5th side. second bar 37
is attached to the second bar holder 30 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 6, corresponding to the control rod guide tube 33 at the location indicated by the circle in the lower grid 32c in FIG. That is, the second bar 37
A stepped sleeve 39 is fitted into the second bar holder 30 and then screwed with a nut 38.
It is screwed into and installed. Each sleeve 39 has a hole 40 formed in the first bar holder 29.
It is made so that it can be passed on to the public.

Further, a cylindrical gear 41 is rotatably attached to the second bar holder 30 with the axis of the double-acting hollow cylinder 27 as the center of rotation. Recesses 42 are formed on the inner peripheral surface of the ring-shaped gear 41 at three equal positions on the circumference, through which the pawls 35 of the projections 36 can pass. Also, ring gear 4
1, an arcuate stepped elongated hole 43 is formed between adjacent recesses 42. The ring gear 41 is prevented from detaching from the second bar holder 30 by a head screw 44 that is fitted into a long hole 43 and screwed into a predetermined location of the second bar holder 30, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5. , and the second bar holder 3 so as to be able to rotate within a predetermined range.
attached to 0. Note that the pawl 35 is located on the fixed plate 25 side of the ring gear 41, and allows rotation of the ring gear 41.
It is said that it is possible to engage and detach from the Note that gear teeth are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the ring-shaped gear 41. On the other hand, a swing motor 45 is fixedly attached to the upper part of the second bar holder 30 to allow movement of the first bar holder 29. This swing motor 45
A gear 46 is attached to the drive shaft, and this gear 46 meshes with the ring-shaped gear 41.

On the other hand, a cylinder mechanism 48 is attached to the fixed plate 23 coaxially with the double-acting hollow cylinder 27, with a piston rod 47 protruding toward the double-acting hollow cylinder 27. A third bar holder 64 is fixed to the piston rod 47, and a third extension bar (third extension bar) is fixed to the third bar holder 64.
bars) 49 are coaxially connected. This third bar 49 is loosely passed through the center of the double-acting hollow cylinder 27.

Further, a pipe holder portion 51 is attached to the fixed plate 25. This pipe holder section 51 consists of a fixing plate 52 and pipes 54 and 55, and the pipes 54 and 55 are connected to the intermediate grid 32b in FIG.
Control rod guide tube 33 and instrumentation tube 53 shown in
It is fitted and fixed into the fixing plate 52 correspondingly. Further, the pipe 54 is loosely fitted into the control guide tube 33, and the pipe 55 is loosely fitted into the instrumentation tube 53. A female thread is formed on the inner peripheral surface of each tip of the pipe 54 and the pipe 55. Note that there is a hole 3 in the center of the second bar holder 30.
0a is formed. Further, the second bar holder 30 has a protrusion 36 at a position facing the claw 35.
A hole 30b is formed through which the protrusion 36 can pass through to the fixed plate 24 side. This hole 30b is slightly larger than the outer shape of the projection 36 shown in FIG. Although these pipes 54 are omitted in FIG. 1, they have approximately the same length as the support structure.

A cylindrical crimp die (pipe expander) 56 is coaxially attached to the tip of each pipe 54 by screw fitting, and each first bar 31 and second bar 37 has a length approximately the same as the support structure. Taper pins 57 having a diameter are coaxially connected by screw fitting. The crimp die 56 has a thick tip, and the tip side is divided into eight equal parts along the axial direction of the crimp die 56 to form a leaf spring shape, and a tapered hole 58 is formed in the tip. There is. This tapered hole 58 is formed in the radial direction of the crimp die 56. The inner diameter of the crimp die 56 of the tapered hole 58 is larger than the outer diameter. A steel ball 59 is disposed within the tapered hole 58 so as to be movable in the axial direction of the tapered hole 58 .
It is embedded so that it cannot slip out. Further, the taper pin 57 is fitted into the crimp die 56 so as to be movable in the axial direction. This taper pin 57 consists of a taper portion 57a and a straight bar portion, and the taper portion 57a is located inside each steel ball 59 and is brought into contact with these steel balls 59. As a result, the steel ball 59 can move within the tapered hole 58 by several millimeters in the axial direction of the tapered hole 58, and can freely move in and out of the outer peripheral surface of the crimp die 56, while being prevented from escaping outward from the outer peripheral surface. is being done. In addition, 32d in FIGS. 8 and 9 is a grid sleeve.

Further, a cylindrical crimp die (tube expansion tool) 60 is coaxially attached to the tip of the pipe 55 by screw fitting, and a taper pin 61 is attached to the third bar 49.
are coaxially connected by screw fitting. An annular projection 62 is provided on the outer periphery of the tip of the crimp die 60. The tip of the crimp die 60 is divided into four equal parts along the axial direction of the crimp die 60 to form a leaf spring shape. The taper pin 61 is fitted into the crimp die 60 so as to be movable in the axial direction. This taper pin 6
1 consists of a tapered part 61a and a straight rod part.
Note that the board 22 is placed on a truck on a rail that is laid approximately the same length as the support structure, with the axis of the cylinder mechanism 27 aligned with the rail. A drive device ( (not shown) is configured. This rail is laid with one end facing the end of the support structure.

Next, a tube expansion device for assembling a tube support structure (a tube expansion device for assembling a fuel support structure) configured as described above.
The effect of this will be explained.

(1) The lower grid 32c is attached to the lower nozzle, the upper grid 32a, the middle grid 3
2b, grid sleeves 32d are provided at predetermined locations of the lower grid 32c, and a control rod guide tube 33 is inserted into each grid sleeve 32d;
Further, an instrumentation pipe mounting sleeve (not shown) is provided at the center of each intermediate grid 32b, and the instrumentation pipe 53 is inserted into the fuel support structure at the end on the upper grid 32a side before expansion. Taper pin 5 of tube expansion device for supporting structure assembly
7, 61, the crimp dies 56, 60 are opposed to each other.

(2) Operate the swing motor 45. Then, the ring gear 41 rotates, so that the pawl 35 and the recess 4
Combine 2.

Thereby, the engagement between the first bar holder 29 and the second bar holder 30 is released.

(3) Each taper pin 57, 61, crimp die 5
6 and 60 are respectively inserted into the grid sleeve 32d provided on the lower grid 32c and into the instrumentation tube mounting sleeve.

(4) The double-acting cylinder 27 is operated for contraction. Then, the first bar 3 together with the first bar holder 29
Only 1 is pulled toward the fixed plate 24 side. Then, the steel ball 59 is pressed and moved outward by the tapered portion 57a of the taper pin 57 connected to the first bar 31, and the control rod guide tube 33 is moved to the location indicated by the mark on the lower grid 32c in FIG. The pipe expansion of the grid sleeve 32d and the grid sleeve 32d is simultaneously started, and after a set time has elapsed, the double-acting hollow cylinder 27 returns to its original state and the pipe expansion is completed.

(5) Next, the swing motor 45 is operated to engage the pawl 35 and the ring gear 41. As a result, the first bar holder 29 and the second bar holder 30
is fixed. In this state, the double-acting hollow cylinder 27 is operated to contract. Then, the second bar holder 30, the first bar 31, and the second bar 37 move toward the fixed plate 24 together with the first bar holder 29, and the steel ball 59 is pressed outward by the taper pin 57. The control rod guide tube 33 and the grid sleeve 32d at the location indicated by the mark on the intermediate grid 32b in Fig. 7 begin to be expanded at the same time, and after a set time has elapsed, the double-acting hollow cylinder 2
7 returns to its original state and ends the tube expansion.

(6) Next, the cylinder mechanism 48 is operated to contract. Then, the taper pin 61 connected to the third bar 49 moves toward the fixing plate 23, and the projection 62 expands outward due to the taper portion 61a, thereby creating a mark in the center of the intermediate grid 32b in FIG. The illustrated instrumentation pipe 53 and the instrumentation pipe mounting sleeve begin to be expanded simultaneously, and after a set time has elapsed, the cylinder mechanism 48 returns to its original state and the expansion is completed.

(7) Activate the drive device and move the board 22 to the tube expansion tool 6.
0 to a predetermined pipe expansion position, and perform the operations (5) and (6) above on each intermediate grid 32b.
Repeat about. In addition, double acting hollow cylinder 2
By operating 7 and the cylinder mechanism 48 at the same time, the tube expansion described in (5) and (6) above (expansion of the control rod guide tube 33 and the instrumentation tube 53) can be performed at the same time.

(8) Next, operate the drive device to move the base plate 22 so that the tube expander 22 is located at the upper grid 32a. And the first bar holder 2
9 and the second bar holder 30 are kept fixed, the double-acting hollow cylinder 27 is operated to contract. Then, the second bar holder 29 and the first bar holder 29
The bar holder 30, the first bar 31, and the second bar 37 move toward the fixed plate 24, and the taper pin 5
7, the steel ball 59 is pressed outward, and as a result, the control rod guide tube 33 and the grid sleeve 32d at the location indicated by the mark on the upper grid 32a in FIG. The dynamic hollow cylinder 27 returns to its original state and ends the tube expansion.

Note that during the operation, when the first bar holder 29 and the second bar holder 30 are released,
That is, when the second bar holder 30 is in the free state, the second bar holder 30 is connected to the two guide rods 28.
is supported in place by the second bar holder 30
The second bar 3, which should not be pulled by the double-acting hollow cylinder 27, hangs downward.
This can prevent the number 7 from being drawn.
Further, when the second bar holder 30 is hanging down and the first bar holder 29 returns, the first bar holder 29 and the second bar 37 or the sleeve 3
9 makes contact with the second bar holder 30.
This can be prevented by supporting the book with the guide rod 28.

Further, according to this embodiment, each control rod guide tube 3
3. Each grid sleeve 32d, instrumentation pipe 53,
The expanded pipe diameter of the instrumentation pipe mounting sleeve is adjusted by moving each taper pin 57, 61 to which position, but this adjustment can be conveniently performed on the fixed plate 24 side. (The position of the inner first bar 31 and second bar 37 cannot be adjusted on the fixed plate 25 side.) In the above embodiment, the cylinder mechanism 48 is attached to the fixed plate 23, and the piston rod 47 is attached to the fixed plate 23. Although the third extension bar 49 is connected to the pipe 55 and the pipe 55 is fixed to the fixing plate 52, the cylinder mechanism 48,
It is also possible to have a configuration in which the pipe 55 is omitted. In this case, only the expansion and coupling of the instrumentation pipe 53 located at the center of the fuel support structure and the instrumentation pipe mounting sleeve must be performed separately, but the structure of the device is simple and lightweight, and operation is easy. In addition, the present invention can be applied to expanding tubes for assembling tube support structures of general mechanical devices, tube support structures of medical devices, expanding tubes for assembly, etc., and the scope of its application is wide. It is widely used and its practical effects are extremely large.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 10 show one embodiment of the present invention, in which FIG. 1 is a partially omitted perspective view, FIG. 2 is a front view of the main parts, and FIG. 3 is a line taken along the line - in FIG. 4 is a side sectional view taken along the - line in FIG. 2, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along the - line in FIG. 2, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view of the first bar holder and the second bar holder. 7 is a schematic plan view of the upper grid, intermediate grid, and lower grid of the fuel support structure; FIG. 8 is a sectional view showing the tube expansion mechanism; FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along the - line in FIG. 8, FIG. 10 is a sectional view showing the expansion mechanism of the instrumentation tube, FIG. 11 is a partially exploded perspective view of a conventional fuel support structure, and FIG. 12 is a conventional grid FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a conventional pipe expansion device for assembling a fuel support structure. 22... Board, 27... Double acting hollow cylinder (hollow cylinder mechanism), 29... First bar holder,
30... Second bar holder, 31... First extension bar (first bar), 34... Hole (void), 37... Second extension bar (second bar), 41...Ring gear, 45...
Swing motor, 46...Gear, 48...Cylinder mechanism, 49...Third extension bar (third
bar), 56, 60... crimp die (pipe expander), 57, 61... taper pin.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A cylinder mechanism fixedly provided on a substrate, a first bar holder attached to the tip of a plunger of the cylinder mechanism, and a side of the first bar holder opposite to the plunger. a first bar that is fixed at a predetermined distance from each other along the axial direction of the cylinder mechanism, and has a tube expansion mechanism at its tip that is activated by movement of the first bar holder to a predetermined position; The first bar holder is arranged along the axis of the cylinder mechanism on the side opposite to the plunger.
a second bar holder that is movable forward and backward with respect to the bar holder and has a hole through which the first bar is inserted; a second bar fixed at a predetermined distance from each other along the axial direction of the cylinder mechanism, and having a tube expansion mechanism at its tip that is activated by movement of the second bar holder to a predetermined position; A tube expansion device for assembling a tube support structure, comprising: a locking/disengaging mechanism that connects and disconnects second bar holders from each other; and a drive device that moves and positions the substrate in the axial direction of the cylinder mechanism. .