RU2577084C1 - Device for leak testing of pipes and their connections in tube sheets of heat exchangers - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: heating.

SUBSTANCE: device contains casing (1) with inside installed vacuum chamber (11), that by channel is connected with metering tube, secured by one end in the casing (1). On the end surface of the casing (1) the sealing element (2) is secured, it ensures tight abutment of the casing (1) to the tube sheet (12), and at one side seals the tested pipe, and place of its connection with the tube sheet (12). On external surface of the another end of the metering tube the cylindrical nozzle is secured, it has outside hole ensuring free rod movement , and limits maximum its movement inside the metering tube. On the rod external surface there is groove, in which O-ring is installed, it interacts with the internal surface of the hollow metering tube. This ensures sealing of the internal surface of the metering tube from environment. At another end of the rod the work cone is secured, on the cone the elastic insert out of elastic material is installed with external surface in form of the truncated oval, its side surface interacts with the cylindrical nozzle.

EFFECT: expansion of functional capabilities.

2 dwg

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to the field of testing equipment and can be used in tests for the tightness of pipes and their connections in the tube sheets of heat exchangers.

A device is known for testing the tightness of pipe joints in tube sheets, comprising a plate-shaped body designed to accommodate a sealing element between the body plane and the pipe end face, means for tightening the body to the end face of the lattice in the form of two hydraulic cylinders with rods designed for coaxial placement in tubes of the lattice adjacent to the test, and means for fixing the position of the rods of the hydraulic cylinders in the form of stops placed on the rods, and covering the rods of elastic bushings placed in strips pipes adjacent to the test, between the stops and the end surface of the housing, which is made detachable in the form of two mating parts intended for installation with the possibility of rotation around the axis of the pipe, and the housing of each hydraulic cylinder is placed in the corresponding part (see patent RU 2017105 C1, G01M 3/08, published July 30, 1994).

The disadvantages of the device are limited functionality due to the complexity and bulkiness of the design, the inability to take measurements when changing the diameter of the pipe and the pitch between them. There is no expressness of basic measurements due to the design features and orientation of the device. The device has various test and working environments, which also complicates the design and operation of the device. There is no accuracy in determining the location of a pipe defect and its connection with the tube sheet, since measurements are carried out along the entire length of the tube and simultaneously for two connections with the tube sheet. To test one pipe and its connections with tube sheets, it is necessary to have at least two more pipes located to the left and to the right of the test one. The device does not allow to determine the location of pipe defects along the length.

Closest to the claimed technical solution according to the technical essence and the technical result achieved is a control and measuring device for testing the tightness of pipes in the tube sheets of heat exchangers, comprising a housing for coaxial installation on the test pipe, a sealing element designed to be placed between the ends of the housing and the grill, means for pressing the housing to the end of the lattice in the form of two hydraulic cylinders, the rods of which with means for their fixation are designed for coaxial dimension joints in the tubes of the lattice adjacent to the test, equipped with two heads installed in guides perpendicular to the axis of the housing with the ability to move along the latter, the housing of each hydraulic cylinder is placed in the corresponding head, and the fixing means is made in the form of a pair of elastic cuffs installed on each rod of the hydraulic cylinder material in the form of truncated cones facing large bases in each pair towards each other (see patent RU 2017106 C1, G01M 3/08, publ. 07/30/1994). The described method is adopted as a prototype of the invention, however, it has several disadvantages.

The prototype device has limited functionality due to the complexity and cumbersome design. There is no expressness of basic measurements due to the design features and orientation of the device. For testing, it is necessary to seal the pipe from both ends, which leads to the complexity of the measurements. The device has various test and working environments, which also complicates the design and operation of the device. There is no accuracy in determining the location of a pipe defect and its connection, since measurements are taken simultaneously along the entire length of the pipe and over two connections to the tube sheet. To test one pipe and its connections with tube sheets, it is necessary to have at least two more pipes located to the left and to the right of the test one. The device does not allow to determine the location of pipe defects along the length.

The present invention is based on the solution of the problem of expanding the functionality with high expressivity of measurements of both pipe joints with the tube sheet and the pipe itself, regardless of the number of pipes attached to the pipe sheet and the pitch between the pipes.

The problem is solved as follows.

The device comprises a housing, a sealing element designed to be placed between the ends of the housing and the grating, means for pressing the housing to the end of the grating and fixing means, is installed in the test tube and is made in the form of a hollow measuring tube, one end of which is fixed in the housing of the device and through the channel, connected to a vacuum chamber, a cylindrical nozzle is fixed on the outer surface of the other end, with an outlet of a smaller diameter providing free movement of the stem and faceting which maximizes its movement inside the tube, and on the outer surface of the rod there is a recess in which a sealing ring is installed that interacts with the inner surface of the hollow tube, a working cone is fixed on the other end of the rod, on which an elastic insert of elastic material with an outer surface in the form of a truncated oval, the lateral surface of which interacts with a cylindrical nozzle.

In FIG. 1 shows a diagram of a device for testing the tightness of pipes and pipe joints with a tube sheet; in FIG. 2 is a view A of FIG. one.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A device for testing the tightness of pipes and pipe joints with a tube sheet contains a housing 1, with a vacuum chamber 11 located inside, which is connected via a channel to a measuring tube 3 fixed at one end in the housing 1. A sealing element 2 is fixed to the end surface of the housing 1, which provides a tight fit of the housing 1 to the tube sheet 12 and, on the one hand, seals the tested pipe 13, as well as the place of its connection with the tube sheet 12. On the outer surface of the other end, measure A cylindrical nozzle 4 is fixed to the tube 3, with an outlet aperture of a smaller diameter, providing free movement of the rod 8 and limiting its maximum movement inside the measuring tube 3. On the outer surface of the rod 8 there is a recess in which a sealing ring 7 is installed, interacting with the inner surface of the hollow measuring tube 3. This ensures the sealing of the internal space of the measuring tube 3 from the external environment. At the other end of the rod 8, a working cone 5 is fixed with a nut 9, on which an elastic insert 6 of elastic material with an outer surface in the form of a truncated oval is mounted, the lateral surface of which interacts with the cylindrical nozzle 4. The elastic insert 6 is tight, without gaps, placed inside the test tube 13. In the wall of the measuring tube 3 there is a hole designed to create a vacuum in the controlled area. The pressure inside the vacuum chamber is controlled by a vacuum gauge 10.

An example embodiment of the invention

A device for testing the tightness of pipes and pipe joints with a tube sheet works as follows.

The measuring tube 3, together with the rod 8 and the working cone 5 fixed on it with the elastic element 6, is inserted into the test tube 13. The sealing element 2 is tightly pressed against the surface of the tube sheet 12. A vacuum is created in the vacuum chamber 11. This is achieved using a pump or other device capable of creating a vacuum inside the vacuum chamber. The pressure drop inside the vacuum chamber 11 causes the rod 8 to move in the direction of the vacuum chamber 11.

Moving together with the rod 8, the cone unclenches the elastic sleeve 6, which in turn abuts against the cylindrical nozzle 4, which leads to additional axial compression of the elastic sleeve 6, which, pressing against the inner surface of the test pipe 13, fixes the device in it. At the same time, the housing 1 of the device is pressed against the tube sheet 12, compressing the sealing element 2. The controlled area is sealed. The pressure in the vacuum chamber 11 and in the controlled area is equalized. Using a vacuum gauge 10 determine the tightness of the pipe 13 and its connection with the tube sheet 12.

The proposed device can be manufactured industrially, which is confirmed by testing a prototype, and this determines its compliance with the criterion of "industrial applicability".

The technical result is the creation of a lightweight, compact device with enhanced functionality that allows for rapid measurements, as the connection of pipes to the tube sheet, and the pipe itself, regardless of the number of pipes mounted on the tube sheet and the pitch between the pipes.

The invention allows:

- expand the functionality of the device;

- to carry out measurements at high expressivity, due to the simplicity of design, the use of one working medium for sealing the controlled area and testing;

- improve the conditions of the tests due to the compactness of the device, the convenience of its transportation, the ability to measure the specific connection of the pipe with the tube sheet;

- control the tightness of each pipe connection with the tube sheet separately, regardless of the location and the number of fixed pipes on the tube sheet;

- when using interchangeable measuring tubes (of various lengths), determine the exact location of the depressurization of the pipe along its length;

- carry out measurements on the tightness of pipes and pipe connections with tube sheets, both jointly and separately, at any stage of manufacture and repair of the test object;

- the device has a small number of moving parts located in one housing;

- ease and simplicity of testing;

- reduction of time for testing;

- reduction of staff;

- one medium is used as a working and test medium, which simplifies and reduces the cost of testing;

- simplicity and ease of construction.

Claims (1)

A device for testing the tightness of pipes and their connections in the tube sheets of heat exchangers, comprising a housing, a sealing element designed to be placed between the ends of the housing and the grill, means for pressing the housing to the end of the grille and fixing, characterized in that in order to expand the operational capabilities of the tool for pressing the housing to the end of the grating and fixing it is installed in the test tube and is made in the form of a hollow measuring tube, through a channel connected to a vacuum chamber, one n the end of the hollow measuring tube is fixed in the device case, on the outer surface of the other end there is a cylindrical nozzle with an outlet of a smaller diameter that provides free movement of the rod and restricts its maximum movement inside the tube, and on the outer surface of the rod there is a recess in which a sealing ring is installed, interacting with the inner surface of the hollow tube, a working cone is mounted on the other end of the rod, on which an elastic insert of elastic material with an outer surface in the form of a truncated oval, the lateral surface of which interacts with a cylindrical nozzle.

Images