SK16392003A3 - Small diameter in-situ pipe winding machine - Google Patents

Abstract

An elongate machine (10) for winding a helically wound pipe from a strip (12). The machine comprises: a frame (20) having at least three circumferentially spaced guide rollers adapted to bear against the inner periphery of the pipe being wound; an elongate strip guide (40) for guiding the strip axially through the machine from an entrance position adjacent the trailing end of the machine to an exit position (44) adjacent one of the three guide rollers; a strip drive pinch roller assembly (24), mounted to the trailing end of the frame adjacent the entrance position, for driving the strip (12) though the strip guide (40) in compression to around the outside of the rollers so as to follow a helical path and cause adjacent edge portions of adjacent convolutions of the strip (12) to interlock; and a motor (26) for driving the strip drive roller means (24), whereby, in use, the strip (12) is continuously driven by the strip drive roller means (24) through the strip guide (40) to a position adjacent the last convolution wound to thereby form a helical pipe.

Description

In particular, the winding of pipes is ma of diameter in place

Technical field

The present invention relates to an apparatus for winding tubes of stretched strip. In particular, the invention relates to a device for winding small diameter helical tubes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

It has hitherto been known to repair pipes such as duct pipes by inserting a helically wound pipe of smaller diameter than corroded or damaged pipes. The inventors' earlier patents disclose machines for winding a helical coil from a web.

Pipe winding machines traveling along the inside of a pipe while lining it, such as those disclosed in Applicant's earlier patent application number PCT / AU00 / 00808 entitled "Method and apparatus for wrapping a helical pipe from inside" while their diameter is shrinking. There are many reasons for this, including: increasing the ratio of strip width to tube diameter requiring additional rollers, and problems in placing the components within a limited diameter between the rollers. With these smaller diameter machines which are capable of winding pipes of 500 mm or less in diameter, and in particular those capable of winding pipes of 200 mm or less in diameter, feeding the end of the strip into the machine at the beginning of the winding becomes difficult. Also, the approach for maintaining the driving rollers that drive the belt becomes problematic. Finally, since the machines are of small diameter elongated shape, it can be difficult to get them in and out of the pipeline to be lined through small vertical service shafts.

It is an object of the invention to overcome at least some of the above problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an elongated machine for winding a helically wound tube from a belt having complementary joints extending along its opposite edge portions which are adapted to engage when the belt is helically wound, the machine being folded from:

a frame having at least three circumferentially mounted guide rollers adapted to abut the inner circumference of the tube to be wrapped, said rollers forming a guide to allow the belt to follow a helical path along which the belt is steered when the machine is in use, the frame having leading edge and leading edge;

an elongate belt guide for axially guiding the belt through the machine from an input position adjacent to the exit end of the machine to an output position adjacent to one of the at least three guide rollers and facing the helical path;

a belt drive roller means mounted to a leading end of the frame adjacent the belt drive inlet position, although the belt guide, when pressed about the outside of the rollers, follows the helical path and causes adjacent edge portions of adjacent belt threads to engage; and drive means for driving the belt drive roller means, by means of which the belt is moved continuously by the belt drive roller means, by guiding the belt to a position adjacent to the last wound thread to form a screw tube therewith.

Preferably, the machine has a belt guide that includes a continuous tube with a cross-section of substantially rectangular shape.

Further preferably, it comprises means for adjusting the angle below which the belt exits the belt guide.

Preferably, the frame further comprises adjusting means for adjusting both the radial positions of the guide rolls and the angles of the guide rolls 8 relative to the longitudinal axis of the machine.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an elongated machine for winding a helically wound tube within a strip pipe having complementary joints extending along its opposing edge portions which are adapted to engage when the strip is helically rolled, wherein the strip is coiled. machine consists of:

a guide member having an energy supply means; a center piece connected pivotally to the guide piece, the pivotal connection being arranged to allow transfer of energy from the guide piece to the center piece during rotation;

a discharge member having at least three circumferentially spaced guide rollers adapted to engage the inner circumference of the tube to be wrapped and a belt guide roll guiding means around the outside of the rollers so as to force adjacent edge portions of adjacent belt threads to engage ; and a hinge means connecting the hinged part to the center part, wherein in use, the center and the outlet part rotate together with respect to the guide part, and wherein the guide and center part can rotate around the hinge means with respect to the outlet part to allow the machine to be pulled out out of the horizontal pipe through the service shaft.

Preferably, the guide part comprises a control component.

The articulated means preferably comprise a universal joint.

Specific embodiments of the invention will now be described in further detail with reference to the illustrations in the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are illustrative and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an underground conduit with a machine for winding the tubes during operation, i.e. j. Figure 3 is a perspective view of a pipe winding machine according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a partial view of the pipe winding machine of Figure 3 in a first direction; Figure 5 is a partial view to the pipe winding machine of Figure 3 in the second direction, Figure 5a is an enlarged partial view of the pipe winding machine of Figure 3 in the third direction, Figure 6 is an axonometric view of the pipe winding machine according to the second embodiment with some components removed for clarity and Figure 7 shows the tube winding machine of Figure 6 in a bent condition.

Figures 3, 4 and 5 show an elongated helical coil winding machine 10 having a helical coiled tube from a belt having complementary joining features extending along its opposing edge portions that are adapted to engage with each other when the belt is helically wound, according to a first embodiment of the invention. Referring first to Figure 3, the machine 10 includes a power supply guide and control member 17, a center part 18 connected rotatably to the guide part 17 by the rotary unit assembly 72, and a discharge part 19. This discharge part 19 has eight circumferentially spaced guide rollers 31-37 3 of which only a guide roller 32 is shown which is adapted to abut against the inner circumference of the tube to be wound. This duct 19 includes a drive assembly mounted to the withdrawal end 13 of the machine 10. A hinge 70 is disposed between the central portion 18 and the duct 19. Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the hinge 70 allows the machine to be bent so that it can be bent Pull from the horizontal pipe 5 through the vertical service shaft 4.

One prior tube winding machine 10 'shown in Figure 2 and disclosed in the Applicant's earlier patent application no. PCT / AU99 / 00808, shows how a screw tube can be wound by guiding a web of ribbed plastic material along a screw path and interlocking adjacent edge portions of adjacent belt screws 12 together. The hydraulic motor 26 provides power via the hydraulic coupling 52 of the hydraulic fluid hose 51 located on the front of the machine. The hydraulic motor 26 drives the gearbox 25, which drives the driving rollers 27 and 28 through the drive shafts 46. In order to start winding the new liner tube by the machine 10 shown in Figure 2, it is first necessary to introduce the end of the belt 12 between the drive rollers 27 and 28. To achieve this, the belt 12 must be axially machine driven. Practically, especially with smaller diameter machines, this is difficult. Also, access to the driving rollers 27 and 28 for maintenance purposes can be difficult.

In the first embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 and in the second embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 6 and 7, an elongate belt guide 40 is provided for guiding the belt axially through the machine 10 from the inlet position 42 adjacent the outlet end 13 of the machine 10 to the outlet position 44 The exit position 44 is more clearly shown in Figures 5 and 5a. The belt 12 extends from the belt guide 40 between the rollers 30 and 31. The rollers 30, 31, 32, and 37 are shown in a dotted outline to clearly reveal the belt guide 40.

Practically, when the machine is located inside the tube to be shot, as soon as the first belt thread is wound, this thread provides a "track" for the belt so that the belt forms a continuous, helically wound tube inside the tube to be shot.

In this embodiment of the invention, the belt guide 40 comprises a continuous cross-sectional tube that is substantially rectangular. Other embodiments of the invention may use different tube arrangements or several adjacent rollers as belt guides.

The winding machine 10 is adjustable to vary the diameter of the tube being wound. The radial arms 16 move outward at the hydraulic pressure inside the rollers 15, as shown in Figure 3. A spring device (not shown) is provided for retracting the arms 16.

During the winding of the tube, hydraulic pressure is applied to the rollers 15 to ensure that the largest diameter is achieved within a particular section of the tube being lined.

Hydraulic cylinders 15 allow only limited travel. Therefore, washers or spacers may also be used before starting to wind suitable specific pipe diameters. Referring to FIG. 5, at the exit of the belt guide 40, an exit angle adjustment device 41 of the belt guide is provided. This adjusting device 41 is mounted to the frame 20 of the tube winding machine 10 by a pivot pin 43 and a pitch screw adjustment screw 45. The adjusting device 41 is connected to the outlet end of the belt guide 40, and the flexibility of the belt guide 40 allows a limited adjustment of the outlet from the mouth 44. This adjustability allows approximate strip exit angle with the helix angle of the web to be rolled.

Referring to Figure 4, the drive group 24 can be seen attached to the leading end 13 of the frame 20 of the tube winding machine 10. This drive group 24 includes a pair of outer driving rollers 28 that run against the inner driving roller 27, which is not seen in Figure 4, to drive the belt 12 by pressing through the belt guide tube 40 around the outside of the rollers 30 to 37 to follow the helical and cause the adjacent belt angle to align the peripheral portions of the adjacent belt threads 12. The entire drive group 24 can easily be removed from the outlet end 13 of the frame 20 for maintenance or replacement. Initial introduction of the belt end as compared to the drive through the drive rollers 28 and 27 with the housing and drive rollers 27 and 28 of the older pipe winding machine 10 'as shown in Figure 2 is achieved more easily due to the location of the drive group 24.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, a second embodiment of the drawings is shown in which a hinge 70 as shown in Figure 3 is replaced by a universal hinge 71. In this embodiment of the invention, the tube winding machine 10 can continue to wind the tube as it passes through bends. . The guide piece 17, which is connected to the hydraulic power source, does not rotate relative to the shielded pipe. The rotary unit assembly 72 allows power and control signal distribution from the guide portion 17 to the center portion 18 during rotation of the center portion 18 as the tube is wound. The central portion 18 is connected via the universal joint 71 to the discharge part of the machine 19. This universal joint ensures that the central part 18 and the discharge part 19 rotate in harmony even if their axes of rotation are not identical, for example when there is a bend.

One advantage of both the first and second embodiments of the invention is that they allow a simple "spot repair" of any particular part of the pipe. In order to carry out such a repair, the belt 12 is first inserted into the driving rollers 27 and 28 of the drive group 24 and partially introduced into the belt guide 40 without exiting its outlet 44. Subsequently, the machine 10 is placed in the mouth of the tube which requires spot. repair. The machine 10 is then drawn into the part that requires spot repair using a cable. Once in place, the hydraulic motor 26 of the drive group 24 is activated, causing the belt 12 to come out of the belt guide 40 and start winding a portion of the helical tube. The length of the strip 40 may be selected to ensure that a suitable tube length is wound to perform spot repair.

While there are preferred embodiments for the invention, it is to be described from the standpoint of better understanding that the invention has ensured that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is intended to include all such modifications within its scope.

Claims (13)

PATENT CLAIMS An elongated helical coil winding tube machine having complementary joints extending along its opposite edge portions which are adapted to snap together when the belt is helically wound, the machine comprising: a frame having at least three circumferentially mounted guide rollers adapted to abut the inner circumference of the wrapped tube, and the rollers forming a guide to allow the belt to follow a helical path along which the belt is driven when the machine is in use, the frame having a leading end and a discharge end ; an elongate belt guide for axially guiding the belt through the machine from an inlet position adjacent to the outlet end of the machine to an outlet position adjacent to one of the at least three guide rollers and facing the helical path; belt drive roller means mounted to the leading end of the frame adjacent to the belt guide entry position through the belt guide pushed around the outside of the rollers so as to follow the helical path and cause adjacent edge portions of adjacent belt threads to engage; and drive means for driving the belt drive roller means by which the belt is used to continuously stretch the belt drive roller means by guiding the belt to a position adjacent to the last wound thread to form a helical tube. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that the belt guide is formed by a continuous pipe. Machine according to claim 2, characterized in that the continuous tube has a cross-section of substantially rectangular shape. The machine of any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising means for adjusting the angle at which the belt exits the belt guide. A machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, further comprising: a guide member having an energy supply means; a center piece connected pivotally to the guide piece, the pivotal connection being arranged to allow transfer of energy from the guide piece to the center piece during rotation; and a hinge means articulating the frame to the center piece, wherein in use, the center piece and the frame rotate together relative to the guide member, and wherein the guide and center member can rotate about the hinge member relative to the removal member to allow the machine to be pulled out from the horizontal pipe through the service shaft. Machine according to claim 5, characterized in that the guide part comprises a regulating device. The machine of claim 5 or 6, wherein the hinge means comprises a universal hinge. 8. An elongated helical coil winding machine having ancillary joining formations extending along its opposing edge portions which are adapted to be interlocked when the helical coil is wound, the machine comprising: a guide member having an energy supply means; a center piece connected pivotally to the guide piece, the pivotal connection being arranged to allow transfer of energy from the guide piece to the center piece during rotation; a discharge member having a frame supporting at least three circumferentially spaced guide rollers adapted to abut the inner circumference of the wrapped tube and a belt control means for driving the belt around the outside of the rollers so as to cause adjacent edge portions of adjacent belt threads to become entangled; ; an articulated means connecting the articulated actuating part to the central part, characterized in that, in use, the central part and the discharge part rotate together relative to the guide part, and wherein the guide and central part can rotate around the articulated part relative to the discharge part to allow the machine was pulled out of the horizontal pipe through the service shaft. Machine according to claim 8, characterized in that the guide part comprises control elements. 10th Machine according to claims 8 or 9 , characterized by t ý m, that the articular means comprises universal joint. 11th Machine according to any from claims 8, 9 or 10, further comprising an elongated line belt for axial guidance belt from the input position adjacent to the drain an end of the machine to an exit position adjacent to one of the at least three guide rollers and a face facing the helical path, characterized in that the belt drive roller means is mounted to the leading end of the frame adjacent the entry position and using belt drive roller means belt. The machine of claim 11, wherein the continuous tube has a substantially rectangular cross section. The machine of any one of claims 11 or 12, further comprising means for adjusting the angle at which the belt exits the belt guide. 14. A machine as substantially described above, as illustrated in Figures 3, 4, 5 and 5a and with reference thereto. 15. A machine as essentially described above and illustrated with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.