SK287179B6 - Small diameter in-situ pipe winding machine and use thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

An elongate machine (10) for winding a helically wound pipe from a strip (12) comprises a frame (20) having at least three circumferentially spaced guide rollers (30,31,32) adapted to bear against the inner periphery of the pipe being wound; an elongate strip guide (40) for guiding the strip (12) axially through the machine (10) from an entrance position (42) adjacent the trailing end (13) of the machine to an exit position (44) adjacent one of the three guide rollers (30,31,32); a strip drive pinch rollers (27,28) assembly (24), mounted to the trailing end of the frame (20) adjacent the entrance position (42), for driving the strip (12) though the strip guide (40) in compression to around the outside of the rollers (30,31,32) 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

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 and to a method for its use.

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, without corroding 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 / AUO0 / 00808 entitled "Method and apparatus for wrapping a helical pipe from inside" extend as their diameter decreases. Therefore, there are many reasons that include: increasing the ratio of strip width to tube diameter requiring additional rollers, and problems in placing components within a limited diameter between the rollers. With these smaller diameter machines, which are capable of winding pipes with a diameter of 500 mm or less, and especially those which are capable of winding pipes with a diameter of 200 mm or less, feeding the end of the strip into the machine at the beginning of the winding becomes difficult. Also, the maintenance approach of the driving rollers that drive the belt becomes problematic. Finally, since the machines are of small diameter elongated shape, it may be difficult to get them in and out of the pipe to be lined through the small vertical service shafts.

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

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to 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 be interlocked when the belt is helically wound. The machine consists of a frame having a leading end and a trailing end and at least three circumferentially mounted guide rollers adapted to abut against the inner circumference of the tube to be wound. These rollers form a guide to allow the belt to follow a short path along which the belt is driven while the machine is in use.

The machine also includes 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.

To the leading end of the frame adjacent to the inlet position, a roller belt drive group is mounted to guide and push the belt around the outside of the rollers to follow the short path and cause adjacent edge portions of adjacent belt threads to engage. The machine also includes drive means for driving the roller belt drive group, by means of which the belt is moved continuously by the roller belt drive group through the belt guide to a position adjacent to the last wound thread to form a screw tube therewith.

The elongate belt guide preferably comprises a continuous tube with a cross-section of substantially rectangular shape.

Further preferably, it comprises means for adjusting the angle at which the web exits the web 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 the invention, the machine for winding a helically wound tube inside a pipe consists of a guide piece having means for supplying power, a central piece which is pivotally connected to the guide piece, the pivotal connection being arranged to allow transfer of energy from the guide piece to the middle piece. during rotation and a discharge member having a frame circumferentially supporting the guide rollers. The drain part with the center part connected by the articulation means permitting joint rotation of the center and outlet parts in use, and the guide and center parts may be pivoted about the articulation means relative to the outlet part to allow the machine to be inserted in or pulled out of the horizontal duct through the service shaft. Preferably, the guide part also comprises control components. The joint means preferably comprises a universal joint.

The invention also provides a method of using a machine according to the invention for winding a helical coil tube from a belt having complementary joints that extend along its opposing edge portions and which are adapted to be interlocked when the belt is helically wound in which the belt is fed to the machine belt drive means. In this case, the belt drive means drives the belt to the inlet position and, through the belt guide, through the outlet position of the belt guide, the belt is placed around the outside of the rollers. These rollers then bring the strip to a position adjacent to the last coiled thread of the strip and cause adjacent edge portions of adjacent strip turns to be interlocked to form a helical tube.

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.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of an underground conduit with a pipe winding machine during operation; j. pipe lining. Fig. 2 is an axonometric view of a pipe winding machine. Fig. 3 is an axonometric view of a pipe winding machine according to a first embodiment of the invention. Fig. 4 is a partial view of the pipe winding machine of FIG. 3 in a first direction. Fig. 5 is a partial view of the pipe winding machine of FIG. 3 in a second direction. Fig. 5a is an enlarged fragmentary view of the pipe winding machine of FIG. 3 in a third direction. Fig. Fig. 6 is an axonometric view of a pipe winding machine according to a second embodiment of the invention with some components removed for clarity; 7 shows the tube winding machine of FIG. 6 in a bent condition.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to Figures 3, 4, and 5, a helical stretch-wound machine 10 is wound by a helically wound tube from a belt 12 having complementary joints extending along its opposing edge portions that are adapted to engage with each other when the belt 12 is helically coiled, in accordance with a first embodiment of the invention. Referring first to Figure 3, the machine 10 includes a power supply guide, control and guide member 17, a center member 18 pivotally connected to the guide member 17 by a rotary unit assembly 72, and a discharge member 19. This discharge member 19 has eight circumferentially spaced guide rollers 30 to 30. 37, of which only a guide roller 32 is shown in FIG. 3 which is adapted to abut against the inner circumference of the tube to be wound. This discharge piece 19 comprises a drive assembly mounted to the discharge end 13 of the machine 10. A joint 70 is disposed between the central piece 18 and the discharge piece 19. Referring to Figures 1 and 3, the joint 70 of the machine 10 allows bending so that it can be pulled 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 at the front of the machine 10 '. 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 belt end 12 between the driving or driving rollers 27 and 28. To achieve this, the belt 12 must be axially driven by the machine 10 '. 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 shown in Figures 3, 4 and 5 and in the second embodiment shown in Figures 6 and 7, an elongate belt guide 40 is provided for guiding the belt 12 axially through the machine 10 from an inlet position 42 adjacent the discharge end 13 of the machine 10 to an outlet The exit position 44 is more clearly illustrated 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. Conveniently, when the machine 10 is located inside the tube to be fired as soon as the first belt thread has been wound, this thread provides a "track" for the belt so that the belt 12 forms a continuous, helically wound tube inside the fired tube.

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 outwardly at the hydraulic pressure inside the rollers 15 as shown in Figure 3. A spring device (not shown) is designed to retract the arms 16.

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

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 exit angle of the belt 12 from the mouth 44. This adjustability allows approximate alignment of the exit angle of the belt with the pitch angle of the coil.

Referring to Figure 4, the drive group 24 can be seen attached to the leading end 13 of the frame 20 of the pipe winding machine 10. This drive group 24 includes a pair of outer driving rollers 28 that run against the inner driving roll 27, which is not seen in Figure 4 to drive the belt 12 through the belt guide tube 40 around the outside of the guide rollers 30 to 37 to follow the helical path and causing adjacent edge portions of adjacent threads of the belt 12 to become interlocked. The entire drive group 24 can easily be removed from the outlet end 13 of the frame 20 for maintenance or replacement. The initial introduction of the end of the belt 12 through the drive and driver rollers 28 and 27 is easier due to the location of the drive group 24 as compared to the drive housing and drive and driver rollers of the older pipe winding machine 10 '.

Referring to Figures 6 and 7, a second embodiment is shown in which the hinge 70, as shown in Figure 3, is replaced by a universal hinge 71. In this embodiment of the invention, the pipe winding machine 10 can continue to wind the pipe as it passes through bends. The guide piece 17, which is connected to the hydraulic power source, does not rotate relative to the lined 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 being wound. The central part 18 is connected via a universal joint 71 to the discharge part 19 of the machine. This universal joint 71 ensures that the center piece 18 and the outlet piece 19 rotate in accordance with each other, 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 pipe section. 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 leaving its mouth 44. Subsequently, the machine 10 is placed in the mouth of the tube that requires point correction. 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 12 may be selected to ensure that a suitable tube length is wound to perform spot repair.

While the present invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments to provide a better understanding of the invention, it will be appreciated that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is intended to include within its scope all such modifications.

Claims (11)

A machine (10) for winding small diameter tubes in place of a helical strip (12) having complementary joints extending along its opposite edge portions which are adapted to snap together when the strip (12) is helically rolled wherein the machine comprises a frame (20) having at least three circumferentially mounted guide rollers (30, 31, 32) and a leading end and a discharge end (13), characterized in that the machine further comprises an elongate strip guide (40) extending from an inlet position (42) adjacent to the outlet end (13) of the machine along the machine in the direction of the leading end to an outlet position (44) adjacent at an angle relative to one of at least three guide rollers (30, 31, 32) and belt means (24) mounted to a drain end of the frame (20) adjacent the inlet position (42) of the belt guide (40). Machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized by a tube. Machine (10) according to claim 2, characterized by a rectangular shape. The machine (10) of any one of claims 1 to 3, being means for adjusting the angle at which the belt (12) extends from the belt guide (40). Machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized by belt drive rollers (28) and drive means (26) therefor. Machine (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the separating rollers (30, 31, 32) are supported by radially adjustable radial arms. characterized in that the strip guide (40) is formed by the continuous tube having a cross-section in a timber characterized in that it further extends in that the strip drive means (24) comprises that at least three circumferentially spaced 4 The machine (10) of any preceding claim, further comprising a guide (17) having power supply means; a central member (18) pivotally connected to the guide member (17); and a drain part (19) articulated to the central part (18) by articulation means (70) for bending the machine (10) as it is inserted and / or removed from the underground pipe. Machine (10) according to claim 7, characterized in that the guide part (17) comprises control components. Machine (10) according to claims 7 or 8, characterized in that the hinge means (70) comprises a universal hinge (71). Machine (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that the discharge part (19) has a frame (20) supporting circumferentially mounted shoulder rollers (30, 31, 32). A method of using a machine according to claim 1 for winding a helical coil tube from a strip (12) having supplementary joints that extend along its opposing edge portions and which are adapted to interlock when the strip (12) is helically wound, wherein the belt (12) is fed to the belt drive means (24) of the machine (10), characterized in that wherein the belt drive means (24) drives the belt (12) to the inlet position (42) and through the belt guide (40) , by the exit position (44) of the belt guide (40), the belt (12) is placed around the outside of the rollers (30, 31, 32), which rollers (30, 31, 32) then bring the belt (12) to a position adjacent to the last winding the thread (12) wound therewith and causing adjacent edge portions of the adjacent threads (12) to interlock to form a helical tube.