JPS5822338B2 - pipe pipe - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the thermal joining of pipes, and more particularly to a fusion joining apparatus for thermoplastic synthetic resin pipes that can perform longitudinal and lateral joining in the same apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Many examples of thermal bonding devices using fixed clamp means for holding a first pipe and movable clamp means for holding a second pipe are known.

Their axes are coaxial and the second clamp is movable along this axis to move the two pipes apart or into a position where their ends are in contact.

A device with a combination of three clamps, two of which are fixed and one movable, is not yet known.

By using the three clamps mentioned above, it is possible to perform two types of joining in the vertical direction and the horizontal direction with the same device, and it is possible to further reduce the size of the device.

The primary object of this invention is a hot-melt type joining device for thermoplastic pipes, which is a simple device that can be used for both longitudinal in-line pipe joining and orthogonal pipe joining. It is to provide.

This object and the limitations of the prior art are overcome with the present invention by providing a frame with a longitudinal axis coinciding with the axis of the in-line pipe.

The first clamp (fixed) is provided with an axis that coincides with the longitudinal axis of the frame.

A second clamp (fixed) is provided such that its axis intersects the longitudinal axis of the frame, and this second clamp is attached to the other end of the frame.

A third clamp (movable) is provided between the two clamps, which is movable by sliding on several horizontal support bars parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame and parallel to each other.

By using a first clamp (fixed) and a third clamp (movable), longitudinal thermal bonding of synthetic resin pipes is performed in a conventional manner.

By using a third clamp (movable) and a second clamp (fixed), a thermal bond is created that joins one pipe at right angles to the other.

A third clamp (movable) is used for both, moving one pipe relative to the other, and pressing the pipes into tight contact.

A better understanding of the above-mentioned and other objects of the invention, as well as the nature and details of the invention, will become more apparent from the following description taken with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to the drawings, reference numeral 10 designates a frame of the device;
Reference numeral 12 designates a first clamp (fixed) having a clamp axis parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame.

Reference numeral 18 designates a second clamp (fixed), the axis of which is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame.

Reference numeral 14 indicates a third clamp (movable), whose axis is the same as the first clamp (fixed).

Reference numeral 16 designates a heating unit for heating the ends of the pipes before pressing them into a melt joint.

The frame, indicated at 20, is generally rectangular, or may be of any desired shape, the details of which are not shown.

A first clamp (fixation) 12 is fixedly attached to the frame 20 near the end of the frame, and the pipe holding axis of the first clamp 12 is generally parallel to the longitudinal axis of the frame.

A second clamp (fixed) 18 is attached to the other end of the frame and has a pair of upright posts arranged to hold a semi-cylindrical or V-shaped sheet, which is connected to the pipe intersecting the axis of the first clamp. Limit the axis that holds the part.

The third clamp 14 is mounted so as to be slidable in the vertical direction on a pair of support rods 24 fixed to the first clamp (fixed) and the second clamp (fixed).

The axis of the pipe holding shaft of the third clamp is the same as that of the first clamp.

A lever mechanism, illustrated at 32, moves a third clamp (movable) longitudinally along the frame from a position adjacent to the first clamp (fixed) near one end of the frame to a second clamp (fixed) at the other end of the frame. ) to a position closer to

Since the first and third clamps are conventional ones, their details are not shown.

These clamps consist of two semi-cylindrical sheets, one of which is fixed to the frame and the other is movable,
It is pressed into contact with the first semi-cylindrical sheet by a screw and nut.

These are a gripping ring or nut 23 for tightening the first clamp and a nut 31 for tightening the third clamp, as schematically illustrated in FIG.

Since the means for supporting the third clamp for longitudinal movement are conventional, it is not considered necessary to explain in detail other than the use of the guide rod 24 when the third clamp slides. .

The horizontal plane of the guide rod passes through the axis of the third clamp.

The movement mechanism can take a variety of forms, and can use manual or mechanical drives, such as motors and screws, or hydraulic means.

The device illustrated in the drawings has a lever 34 pivotably mounted on the third clamp 14 with a pivot point 35, the lever 34 extending downwardly beyond the pivot point 35 towards the pivot point 37.
4', and the pivot point 37 is connected to the fixed point 38 on the first clamp.
It is connected to another link 36 which is pivotally connected at.

Links 36 and 34' are provided on either side of the frame.

By rotating the lever/handle 34 about the pivot point 35, the third clamp 31 is moved axially along the guide rod between the first and second clamps.

By clamping the pipe 22 in the first clamp (fixed) and the second pipe 30 in the third clamp, these two pipes are opposed to each other using means known in the art, 16 It is heated by the heating means indicated in .

This heating means 16 is positioned between the ends of the pipes and comes into contact with the ends of the pipes to heat the surface thereof.

After the plastic pipes are brought to the appropriate temperature, the pipes are separated and the heater is retracted.

The two pipes are then brought into strong axial contact by lever 34 to form a durable fused joint of the pipes.

FIG. 2 shows a device provided for joining pipes at right angles.

The pipe 48 is tightened in a second clamp (fixed) and positioned so that its axis is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the frame.

The second pipe 46 is clamped to a third clamp (movable) so as to hang in contact with or separate from the pipe 48.

Shaping the end of the pipe 46 to have an end cut or otherwise formed with a cylindrical curvature commensurate with the cylindrical curvature of the size of the pipe to which the pipe 46 is being joined may This is not straightforward since 48 can have a variety of different radii of curvature.

Such a pipe 92 is shown in FIG. 6, which will be described later.

A pipe 48 with transverse holes is held in a second clamp to a sheet 50 with a suitable radius of curvature by a pair of chains 39, which are connected to a hinged connection 51.
It is connected to a longitudinal rod 52 which has a threaded section after encircling the surface of the pipe.

Pipe chain 3 by gripping nut 53 of rod 52
9 is tightened sufficiently to hold the pipe 48 firmly to the sheet 50 while the joint is being made.

Pipe 46 has an end cut precisely adjusted to the cylindrical curvature of the wall of pipe 48 and positioned to contact pipe 48 .

The pipe 46 connects the third clamp (movable) and the actuation arm 3
4, it is axially movable towards or away from the pipe 48.

Pipe 46 is pulled out of contact with pipe 48 and is
A heater, illustrated at 6, is inserted between the two pipes.

The heater has opposing convex and concave surfaces on the respective pipes 46 and 48, as shown in detail in FIGS. 3.4 and 5.

When the surface of pipe 48 and the end of pipe 46 reach melting temperature, pipe 46 is moved to the left and heater 16 is retracted, after which pipe 46 is pressed into contact with the outer surface of pipe 48. is moved to the right to the position where it is.

It will be appreciated that the first clamp 12 and the third clamp 14 may have any conventional configuration as described above.

However, the configuration shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 is preferred.

Although the drawings show a third clamp (movable) 14, the same features can also be applied to the first clamp (fixed) 12.

Two support bars 24 are shown, with the right support bar shown in cross section.

The clamp itself consists of two parts, a lower part 92 and an upper part 90 hinged to the lower part 92 by a pin 94.

Two shaft sleeves 96 inserted into holes provided in the lower part are provided so as to be freely slidable along the support rod 24.

The third clamp 14 is moved along the support bar by a lever 34 pivotable about a pin 35, as described above.

The two-part inner bore 98 (FIG. 7) of the third clamp has a larger diameter than any pipe that may be used.

Grooves 100 are formed deeper into this inner surface.

The outer shape of the two third clamp insertion pieces 104 and 102 is groove 1.
08 with protruding ribs 100 that fit within the contour of the bore 98, the third clamp insert is firmly positioned in the two parts of the third clamp.

As shown in FIG. 8, two holes 116 are provided in each rib 100 of the insert through the clamp.

Pins 114 fit into these holes.

The pins are attached to leaf springs 110 which are respectively fixed to the upper and lower parts of the third clamp by screws 112.

Thus, as long as pin 114 is in place, the clamp insert is held firmly within the third clamp.

By withdrawing the spring, the pin is retracted and the clamp insert is removed from the third clamp.

The inner diameter 106 of the clamp insert piece is formed to match the specific size of the pipe, and various clamp insert pieces are available for use with pipes of different sizes.

The operation of tightening the upper part against the lower part is by pin 122.
This is done by means of a screw 120 which is provided so as to be able to pivot or hinge about the same.

The nut 31 fits onto the thread and by tightening the nut the upper part of the clamp is moved towards the lower part so as to firmly grip the pipe located within the inner contour 106 of the clamp insert.

To change the pipe, the nut 31 is released, the screw falls out of the groove 124 in the upper end of the upper section 90, and the upper section 90 is lifted.

The pipe may then be inserted into or removed from the third clamp, or a different clamp insert may be placed in place within the clamp.

Having described and illustrated an embodiment of the pipe melting apparatus of the present invention, which comprises a frame, two fixed clamps and one movable clamp, it is further possible to use a pipe melter, for example at right angles, for joining pipes from small pipes to large pipes. An example for forming a bond such as a longitudinal bond will now be described.

Although the illustrated device is limited to nominal pipe sizes up to 4 inches or larger, the device can be made to any desired size by following the principles outlined in Section 5. You can do it.

The illustrated frame is arranged to be placed on top of the vehicle.

It will be lifted from the transport vehicle and used in a suitable space where the pipe is already in use and the new joints will be made.

If a pipeline, such as 48, is used and is buried underground and intersecting holes are required, then the frame can be placed close to the pipe and as shown in FIG. It is necessary to dig down to the pipe to expose it so that the pipe tap can be inserted into the third clamp and the joint can be made.

In a typical longitudinal pipe joint, both pipe ends are cut perfectly flat and aligned perpendicular to the pipe axis.

It is configured to cut and adjust the ends of both pipes at the same time,
Heaters 16 are provided with flat, parallel heating surfaces as shown in FIG.

In this way, a single independent heater would be constructed that could be used for all pipes and all sizes up to the maximum size of the heater.

However, when using pipe joining equipment for right-angle joints, different sizes and types of pipes are required, and special A heater adapter or heating surface is required.

Variations in the size of the pipes used therefore require a wide variation of the heating surface, and heater configurations are required that allow the installation of heating surfaces with different surface contours.

The heater 16 shown in FIGS. 1 to 5 consists of a cylindrical heating section 60 having a large number of through holes 65 and 66 provided in the vertical direction, and includes an electric resistance electric heater for heating a cylindrical metal member 60. A container is installed in the holes 65 and 66.

Although only two holes are shown, any number could be used.

Heating surfaces, designated 70 and 71, are provided to hold the cylindrical surface of the heating body 60.

The heating surface consists of a cylindrical portion 72 with one end shaped to correspond to the precise diameter semi-cylindrical shape of the body 60.

This surface is illustrated at 75.

The other end is formed into a semi-cylindrical shape with a radius preselected to correspond to the pipe to be heated.

As shown, one surface 74 is concave and the other surface is convex.

Both are cylindrical and the axes of both surfaces 74 and 77 are parallel.

Lateral cylindrical holes 67 and 68 on both sides of the heating body 60 fit within the apertures 76 in the heating surface.

This positions them longitudinally on the heating body such that the axes of the two surfaces 70, 71 are coaxial and perpendicular to the axis of the heating body.

The outer surface of the inner end of each of these surfaces 70° 71 is formed into an annular conical portion 78, which defines two
The surfaces are clamped together after they are positioned around the heating body 60.

The means for gripping these two parts together is at point 84.
It consists of a pair of angles 80 welded to a lever 81 which is hinged at .

They are designed to exert pressure on the semi-conical grooves on the circumference of the heating surfaces and to press them inwardly towards the heater so that a good heat transfer from the heating body to each of the heating surfaces takes place. may be separated into categories or integrated.

The lever 81 is controlled by a link 82 and an arm 86, which have a thread 86 and are moved longitudinally along the rod 62 supporting the grasping part 63.

The electric conductor 64 is connected to the space 6 via the grasping part 63 and the rod 62.
1, in which space the connection between the heating element, the conductor and the thermostatic switch is made.

The gripping nut 85 is screwed along the rod 62, and by screwing the nut 85 downward, the arm 83 presses the link and lever outward, presses the angle part 80 inward, and heats the heating surface. The holding motion is locked and grasped to bring it into direct contact with the main body.

The heating surface and the heating body are usually made of a metal with good thermal conductivity and of a larger diameter than the pipe to be heated.

Sufficient heat is then transferred to all parts of the pipe surface to bring the pipe to the proper temperature, so that when they are finally pressed together, a firm bond is formed.

The description of the heating unit 16 will be made with reference to a heating element inserted into a longitudinal aperture.

As is well known in the art, a device is provided within the heating body 60 to maintain the heating body 60 at a constant, preselected temperature and to control the heating elements that fit into the apertures 65,66. It is customary to provide an auxiliary longitudinal aperture therethrough for a thermostatic switch.

However, the system for controlling the temperature of the heating body illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10 is also a preferred embodiment.

Although the heaters illustrated in Figures 3, 4, and 5 particularly illustrate the use of heating surfaces 70 and 71 adapted to join pipes at right angles, heating surfaces 74 and 77 are planar and parallel. , may be used in the position shown in FIG. 1 to heat opposing surfaces of two pipes joined longitudinally.

The heaters shown in Figures 3.4 and 5 are universal heaters that can be used with all types of connections and pipes of all sizes.

Reference is made to Figures 9 and 10, which show front views of the heater box.

Inside the heater box, the heater is placed in contact with a temperature control control unit, and power is supplied to the heaters on the successive substrates to maintain a predetermined temperature of the heating body. be done.

This heating body 140 has two parts extending downward to form legs.
The box 140 has a bottom 152 at a predetermined height above the floor.

One side of the box, designated 144, has three vertical kerfs in its upper part, each for the three parts of the heater, namely the central cylindrical part 82 and the hinged arm 81. It is something.

When the lid plate is lifted, the heater is placed in a horizontal position as shown in FIG.

The state in which the heater 16 is located within the heater box is illustrated by dotted lines in FIG.

The thermostat 164 is mounted within a fixture 154 suspended below the bottom plate 152 of the box.

The thermostat extends upwardly through an aperture in the bottom plate of the box;
having a diameter that matches the inner surface of the central aperture of the heating surface 72;
Direct thermal contact is made with the projection 68 of the heater.

Power is supplied to the heater box by a flexible lead 162 that enters the box 154.

One side of the heater box is provided with an electrical outlet into which is inserted a plug 158 having a conductor 160 for supplying power to the heating element of the heater 16.

The heater box has a grip 149 by which the box can be carried anywhere.

The heater box can be placed on the vehicle transporting the pipe melting equipment, or it can be placed on the ground within reach of conductors 162 and 160 of sufficient length.

Current flows through the heating elements on the control board to maintain the heater at the desired temperature.

When the lid is opened, the heater is removed, and the heater is positioned in the melter to heat opposing surfaces of both pipes as shown in Figure 1, the thermostat connects to the hot surface of the heater body. cools away from contact with the heater and retains full power for the entire time the heater is removed from the heater box.

By using this heater box, the heater unit always reaches the desired temperature and is ready for use.

The contact surface between pipe 48 and right angle pipe 46 must be formed with a proper radius of curvature, as described above.

FIG. 6 shows a typical type of plastic piping system, which is adapted to provide right-angle taps on pipelines in practical use, and which is commonly used with compressed gases or liquids. It is something that

This is an example of a normal product suitable for commercial use, and its use in the pipe joining device of the present invention will be briefly described.

The right-angled pipe 91 has a thick wall portion 92 with a large diameter that is formed to correspond to the outer shape 95 of the pipe 48, and a thread is formed on the inner surface of the pipe 91. Helps you fit in.

Then, by using a wrench at the socket 98, a metal cutter 96 having a cutting blade 97 at the lower end can be cut into the pipe 4.
8, a hole is made by rotation of the cutter, and the cut annular piece is press-fitted and held under the cutting blade 97.

The threads between the cutter and the pipe are provided to provide a sufficient seal against the hydraulic pressure within the pipe 48 during the short time that the cutting operation is being performed, so that there is little leakage of hydraulic pressure.

After the hole is cut into the pipe 48, the cutting blade cuts into the horizontal pipe 93.
, allowing free fluid connection between pipe 48 and pipe 93 .

The cutter still holding the disc cut from the pipe 48 remains inside the pipe 91, and the cover 99 is positioned over the pipe 91 and seals the pipe 91, so that the cutter, which still holds the disc cut from the pipe 48, remains inside the pipe 91, and the cover 99 is placed over the pipe 91 and seals the pipe 91, so that the cutter is cut from the pipe 48, through the pipe 91, and then into the pipe. There is no leakage of fluid reaching the ends of.

If the pipes are joined when the pipeline 48 is not in use, no precautions are needed to cut the apertures as shown in FIG. 6, and the apertures are cut into the side of the pipe 48, A conventional pipe with a suitable radius of curvature on the end of the conventional pipe is sealed to pipe 48 as described above.

This invention can be applied to pipes made of any suitable thermoplastic material, but the materials that can be most effectively applied are vinylidene chloride copolymers, linear polymers,
Contains polymethyl methacrylate, linear polymers of ethylene, linear copolymers of ethylene and propylene, and others.

Although the method of the present invention is generally useful for butt welded pipe connections of thermoplastic materials, it is particularly applicable to butt welded pipe connections made from polymers of ethylene or other olefins.

Although the drawings illustrate a manual device for moving the third clamp, it is of course possible to have this operation performed by a hydraulic device.

Although the drawing shows an example in which the horizontal pipe is perpendicular to the axis of the third clamp, the pipe held in the second clamp by the appropriate shape and positioning of the clamp insert in the second clamp. It is clear that the clamp may have its axis at any suitable arbitrarily selected angle with respect to the axis of the second clamp.

Although the simplest configuration for the surface and clamp insert for the heater means is a right angle positioning, the invention is also applicable to right angle connections and different pipe connections.

Although embodiments of the invention have been described in some detail, it will be obvious that many changes may be made in details of construction and arrangement of components.

This invention is not limited to the specific embodiments described above by way of illustration, but only by the scope of the claims, including their full scope or equivalents. That will be understood.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a side view of a device provided for joining vertical in-line pipes, and FIG. 2 is a top view of a pipe heater and the device provided for joining vertical pipes. , 3, 4 and 5 respectively illustrate the configuration of the heating device provided to be used in particular in forming right angle joints, and FIG. FIG. 7 is a side view of the third clamp (movable), and FIG. 8 is a view of the third clamp taken along line 8--8 of FIG. 9 and 10 are front views of the heating box. Explanation of symbols, 10... Frame, 12... First clamp (fixed), 14... Third clamp (movable), 16
... Heater, 18 ... Second clamp (fixed), 22
．． 30, 48... Pipe, 24... Support rod, 32.
...Lever mechanism, 60...Heating body, 70, 71...
- Heating surface, 72... Cylindrical part, 78... Conical part, 102.104... Clamp insertion piece.

Claims (1)

Claims: 1 (a) frame means having a longitudinal axis; (b)
a first clamp having an axis parallel to said longitudinal axis and fixed near one end of said frame; (c) at an angle selected relative to and passing through the axis of said first clamp; (d) a second clamp fixed near the other end of the frame to rigidly grip the pipe with an axis set in a plane; (d) coaxial with the first clamp; a third clamp slidably mounted on the frame between the first and second clamps so as to grip another pipe at all times; (e) vertically moving the third clamp; said third clamp being moved relative to said first clamp to effect a coaxial in-line pipe connection, or angular style pipes being joined to each other at a selected angle. A pipe melting device for joining thermoplastic synthetic resin pipes, characterized in that the device is moved relative to the second clamp to perform joining. 2 (a) frame means having a longitudinal axis; and (b)
a first clamp having an axis parallel to said longitudinal axis and fixed near one end of said frame; (c) at an angle selected relative to and passing through the axis of said first clamp; (d) a second clamp having an axis set in a plane and fixed near the other end of the frame so as to grip the pipe rigidly; (d) a second clamp always coaxial with the first clamp; a third clamp slidably mounted on the frame between the first and second clamps to grip a pipe; and (e) a third clamp for longitudinally moving the third clamp. (f) heater means positionably positioned coaxially with said third clamp for heating opposite surfaces of the pipe, said third clamp being coaxially arranged; the first clamp to perform an in-line pipe joint, or the second clamp to perform an angular type pipe joint joined at a selected angle to each other; A pipe melting device for joining thermoplastic synthetic resin pipes. 3(a) a frame means having a longitudinal axis; and (b)
(c) a first clamp having an axis substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis and fixed near one end of the frame; (c) perpendicular to and in the plane of the axis of the first clamp; a second clamp fixed to the other end of the frame so as to rigidly hold the pipe; (d) one end supported by the first clamp and the other end supported by the second clamp, and arranged at intervals; (e) always having a common axis with the first clamp;
a third clamp slidably mounted on the support rod between the first clamp and the second clamp; (f) for vertically moving the third clamp on the support rod; Pipe melting device for joining thermoplastic pipes coaxially in-line or at right angles to each other, characterized in that the device comprises means for joining thermoplastic pipes coaxially in-line or at right angles to each other. 4 (a) a cylindrical heater body made of a highly thermally conductive metal; (b) at least one cylindrical hole containing at least one electrothermal heating element in the at least one hole in said body; (c) consisting of short cylindrical rods of highly thermally conductive metal, one end of each heating surface being formed corresponding to the cylindrical profile of the heater body, and the other end of each heating surface being (d) means for gripping said surfaces in thermally conductive contact with said heater body; A pipe melting apparatus as claimed in claim 1 for joining hot plastic pipes including means for heating both surfaces. 5(a) frame means defining a longitudinal axis; and (b)
(c) a pair of support rods arranged at intervals such that a virtual plane of the axis of the support rods includes the longitudinal axis; and (c) a pair of support rods supported movably along the support rods and including the longitudinal axis. (d) a first clamp on said frame supporting a portion of a second pipe such that the axis of the second pipe is in said imaginary plane; a second clamp; (e) heating element means movable coaxially on the support rod to melt portions of the first and second pipes being joined; and (f) heating element means movable coaxially on the support rod. a lever actuation mechanism for moving the first clamp and the first pipe to engage the melting portion of the pipe with the melting portion of the second pipe, coaxially in-line or with each other; Pipe melting equipment for joining thermoplastic pipes at selected angles.