WO2005052248A1

WO2005052248A1 - Shower tube, paper machine or the like and method for manufacturing a shower tube

Info

Publication number: WO2005052248A1
Application number: PCT/FI2004/000725
Authority: WO
Inventors: Pasi Suomilammi; Markku KYYNÄRÄINEN
Original assignee: Metso Paper, Inc.
Priority date: 2003-11-28
Filing date: 2004-11-26
Publication date: 2005-06-09
Also published as: FI6233U1; FIU20030448U0

Abstract

The invention relates to a shower tube (1) used in paper machines or the like, to a paper machine including a shower tube of this kind, and to a method for making the shower tube. Openings (8) are arranged at desired locations of the shower tube (1) in order to direct a medium out from the tube interior at these locations. A nozzle (3) is arranged at the opening for directing the spraying of the medium in a desired manner. The shower tube (1) comprises also a nozzle fastening means (9, 10) with which the nozzle (3) is fastened at the opening (8). The fastening means are an integral part of the elongated tube and formed at the edge of the opening (8) at least mainly of the tube material, which was located at the opening, In the method according to the invention the nozzle opening (8) is formed in the metallic tube by friction drilling.

Description

Shower tube, paper machine or the like and method for manufacturing a shower tube

Technical field of the invention

The invention relates to a shower tube and to a paper machine or the like including a shower tube according to the invention, according the preambles of the independent claims presented below. The invention relates particularly to a new manner to fasten nozzles to the shower tube.

Prior art

Shower tubes are commonly used in paper and board machines or the like for cleaning wires, felts, rolls and other components. Water is generally sprayed through nozzles in the shower tube, in a desired manner against the object to be cleaned. For instance the Finnish patent publications FI 110272 B, FI 20001379 A and FI 93375 B present shower tubes and their nozzles intended for paper and board machines or the like. A prior art nozzle is usually arranged in the shower tube in the following way: A hole is first drilled in the tube. A nozzle support is welded at the hole. Then a gasket and a nozzle are mounted in the nozzle support. Finally the nozzle is tight- ened in its place, for instance with a tightening nut which is locked in its place by gluing.

The prior art has many drawbacks. Drilling and welding are very time consuming stages. One shower tube can contain up to 150 nozzles, each requiring its own drilling and welding stage. Between these stages it is generally necessary to move the shower tube from one place to another, which also consumes time. Often it is quite inconvenient to move a shower tube, as a shower tube is generally a steel tube with a length of several metres. The welding is typically performed in a jig, where a correct initial tension in the shower tube must be observed. Typically the shower tubes must be mechanically straightened after the welding. These stages will also take a substantial time.

Usually the nozzle hole within the shower tube is at the level of the shower tube's inner surface or only slightly inside the inner surface. Impurities are generally accumulated within the shower tube, particularly at is lower edge. Particularly in shower tubes directing the spray downwards, where the nozzle is located at the lower edge of the shower tube, the nozzles will get dirty and they will be easily clogged as the impurities clog the holes of the nozzles. The clogging causes a quality degradation of the paper or board. Maintenance breaks reduce the efficiency of the paper or board machine.

The object of the invention and a short description

The object of the invention is to reduce or even to eliminate said problems occurring in prior art.

An object of the present invention is particularly to provide a solution with which the fastening of the nozzles to the shower tubes can be simplified and made faster. An object of the invention is also to provide a solution which reduces the clogging of the shower tube, and which thus increases the efficiency of a paper or board machine or the like.

A shower tube, a paper machine or the like and a method are characterised in what is presented in the characterising clauses of the enclosed independent claims in order to realize among other things the objects mentioned above.

The embodiment examples and advantages mentioned in this text relate in suitable parts, to a shower tube, a paper machine as well as to a method, even if it is not always particularly mentioned.

The nozzles as such are not objects of this invention, so this text will not in greater detail deal with them or their structure. A paper machine or the like means paper or board machines of all types or other corresponding equipment, where the shower tubes according to the invention can be used.

A typical shower tube according to the invention comprises an elongated tube for conveying a medium, usually water. The shower tube has an inner surface and an outer surface. Openings are arranged at desired locations in the tube in order to dis- charge medium at these locations from the interior of the tube. A nozzle is arranged at the opening in the shower tube in order to control the spraying ofthe medium in a desired manner. The shower tube also comprises nozzle fastening means, with which the nozzle is fastened at the opening in the shower tube. In a typical shower tube according to the invention the nozzle fastening means form an integral part of the elongated tube. Typical nozzle fastening means are formed at least mainly at the edge of an opening in the shower tube, of the tube material which was located at the opening. In addition for instance glue can be used to fasten a nozzle. An opening according to the invention in the shower tube is typically made by friction drilling in the metallic tube of the shower tube. Then typically a hard metal bore bit is pressed against the tube's surface as the bore bit simultaneously rotates with a high speed of rotation. Due to the friction the chafing generates a large amount of heat, which heats and softens the tube's metal around the working region. The softened material will first accumulate at that side ofthe tube where the bore bit is located, i.e. on the outside of the tube, but as the bore bit has penetrated the tube the softened material will travel along the bore bit inside the tube where it forms a collar. Suitable fastening means for a nozzle, e.g. threads, are then formed in the collar. The threading method can be for instance roll threading or chipping threading. An advantage of roll threading is for instance that it will not create any chips, whereby it requires little cleaning of the tube interior after the tooling. The size of the formed collar, for instance the length of the collar and thus also the maximum thread length which can be tooled into the collar depend on the diameter of the drilled hole or on the opening formed in the shower tube and on the thickness ofthe penetrated tube. A nozzle is fastened to the fastening means, for instance threads, which were thus formed. Typically a nozzle is further locked into its place, for instance by gluing.

For instance devices sold under the trademarks FORMDRILL™ (Unimex N.V., Belgium) and FLOWDRILL™ (Flowdrill B.V., the Netherlands) are suitable for friction drilling.

The greatest advantage of the invention is its simplicity and rapidity. As no welding is required during installation of the nozzles to the shower tubes, the method according to the invention does not require the prior art welding, initial tensioning and straightening after welding. In a shower tube according to the invention a nozzle can be mounted directly into the fastening means formed in the tube, such as in threads. The drilling, threading and nozzle installation can be made in the same place, whereby it is not necessary to move the shower tube between different stages.

One great advantage of the invention is that the nozzles can be easily replaced. It is simple to remove a nozzle from its fastening means and to fasten a new nozzle as the nozzle is fastened without separate fastening means, such as nuts.

One great advantage of the invention is that it is easy to make a shower tube made by the method according to the invention so that the shower tube's outer surface has very few projections caused by the nozzles. Then the shower tubes will accumulate less dirt. One great advantage of the invention is that a shower tube made with the method according to the invention is easily made so that dirt within the tube will not easily come to clog the nozzles of the shower tube. This is due to the fact that the collar, where the nozzle's fastening means such as threads are arranged, can be arranged to project a certain distance inwards from the inner surface of the shower tube. It is difficult for dirt to get over such a high collar and this way to clog a nozzle and the nozzle opening.

One great advantage of the invention is that material is saved in making a shower tube with a method according to the invention, because the nozzle fastening means are at least mainly formed by the material of the tube itself. No separate additional parts are required.

One great advantage of the invention is that making a shower tube with a method according to the invention generates very little scrap metal. Friction drilling generates almost no scrap, and also the threading method can be selected so that it does not generate chips.

One great advantage of the invention is that relatively robust fastening means, for instance threads, can be easily made also in a tube with thin walls. The threading length can be typically 2.5 to 4.0 times the original thickness of the tube. Compared to traditional shower tubes the tensile strength of the joint between the tube and the nozzle will increase, particularly when roll threading is used.

In an embodiment of the invention the nozzle fastening means comprise a collar, which is arranged to extend a first distance from the tube's inner surface towards the tube interior. Projections accumulating much dirt are not formed on the tube's outer surface, as the collar is within the tube. This first distance is typically one of the following ranges: 1 to 20 mm, 2 to 15 mm, 4 to 12 mm, 5 to 11 mm, 6 to 10 mm, 7 to 9 mm, and most advantageously 4 to 8 mm or about 6 mm. Typical advantageous first distances are 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm, 16 mm, 17 mm, 18 mm, 19 mm, 20 mm. The measures mentioned above are presented with an accuracy of 0.5 mm, so that for instance 1 mm means distances between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm. The first distance can also be larger than 20 mm. A collar extending to the first distance from the inner surface of the tube prevents also dirt from getting inside the collar and thus into a nozzle in the collar. In one embodiment ofthe invention a nozzle comprises

- a rear end directed towards the inside of the tube, the rear end having a nozzle opening for supplying medium from the tube to the nozzle; and

- a front end directed towards the outside of the tube, the front end having a nozzle opening for spraying the medium away from the nozzle.

The rear end of the nozzle is advantageously arranged within the tube at a second distance from the tube's inner surface. This second distance is typically as large as or larger than the first distance. If the second distance is larger than the first distance, then their difference is typically 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm or 10 mm. The second distance is typically within one of the following ranges: 1 to 20 mm, 2 to 15 mm, 4 to 12 mm, 5 to 11 mm, 6 to 10 mm, 7 to 9 mm, and most advantageously about 8 mm. Typical advantageous second distances are 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm, 16 mm, 17 mm, 18 mm, 19 mm, 20 mm. The measures mentioned above are presented with an accuracy of 0.5 mm, so that for instance 1 mm means distances between 0.5 mm and 1.5 mm. The second distance can also be larger than 20 mm. An advantage of a nozzle's rear end and the nozzle opening located at the second distance from the inner surface of the tube is that these nozzles operate better than nozzles, which have the rear end at the level of the tube's inner surface. Any dirt in the shower tube will not easily get to clog the opening of a nozzle of this kind.

In a shower tube where the second distance is longer than the first distance the rear end of the nozzle and the rear end opening of the nozzle located there are visible below the collar formed around the shower tube's opening. When cleaning the rear end ofthe nozzle the collar will hardly hinder the cleaning, but for instance the bristles of a cleaning brush can come into an effective contact with the rear end of the nozzle.

In one embodiment of the invention the shower tube comprises a brush arranged to be movable within the shower tube, the brush having first bristles arranged to brush the inner surface of the shower tube. Such a brush can clean the shower tube from the inside, when required. If the brush further comprises second bristles, which are arranged to brush the nozzle rear end and the nozzle rear end opening located there and the edges of the nozzle opening, then this provides a shower tube with nozzles, which will be seldom clogged. If the second bristles are shorter than the first bris- ties, at least roughly corresponding to the second distance, then they are particularly well adapted to clean the nozzles according to the invention having the rear end at a second distance from the inner surface of the tube. In order to achieve a required cleaning effect the bristles of the shower tube's brush are typically very stiff, whereby only long bristles will not have a good cleaning effect on the rear end of such nozzles. Long stiff bristles would bend at the nozzles, and the ends of the bris- ties would hardly at all touch the rear end of the nozzle. The length of the bristles could of course vary, but for instance the main part of the second bristles cleaning the rear end and the opening of the nozzles have preferably a length like that mentioned above. Typically bristles with the same length have been placed in own brush parts, which contain mainly or only bristles of the same length. Then the first bris- ties form an own uniform brush part, and the second bristles form an own uniform brush part.

Short description of the figures

The invention is described in more detail below with reference to the enclosed schematic drawing, in which figure 1 shows a shower tube according to the invention; figure 2 shows a cross-section F - F ofthe shower tube in figure 1; and figure 3 shows a shower tube brush according to the invention.

Detailed description of the examples in the figures

Figure 1 shows a shower tube 1, which can be located to wash for instance the wire in a paper or board machine. The shower tube comprises an elongated tube 2. Shower tube openings are formed at the lower edge of the tube, and nozzles 3 are mounted in the openings. Water or other medium to be sprayed is supplied to the shower tube from an input connection 4. The water supply could also be arranged at both ends of the tube 2. The ends 5 and 6 of the shower tube contain fastening means, with which the shower tube 1 can be fastened for instance in the cross direction over the web in a paper machine. The first end 5 of the shower tube has a box 22 containing means, such as an electric motor for moving the brush 7 within the shower tube. The brush 7 is shown in figures 2 and 3.

Figure 2 shows a cross-section of the shower tube 1 at F - F in figure 1. A shower tube opening 8 has been formed in the tube 2 by friction drilling. The figure shows how the tube material at the shower tube's opening 8 has formed in the friction drilling a collar 9 around the opening 8 of the shower tube. Threads 10 have been formed into the collar 9, whereby a nozzle 3 has been screwed into the threads. From the nozzle opening 21 at the front end 11 of the nozzle water is sprayed for instance on the wire of a paper machine. The rear end 12 of the nozzle contains a nozzle opening 13 through which water can get into the nozzle 3. During installation the front end 11 of the nozzle in the figure is left at a distance from the tube's outer surface 14. The collar 9 extends to a first distance A from the nozzle's inner surface 15. The installed nozzle 3 extends to a second distance B from the inner surface 15 of the nozzle. The first distance could be for instance about 6 mm and the second distance about 8 mm. In the figure the diameter of the tube 2 is about 60 mm.

Figure 2 shows how a brush 7 is mounted centrally in the tube 2. In the casing 22 of figure 1 the brush 7 is fastened to said electric motor or the like. The brush 7 is not necessarily supported by e.g. bearings, but the bristles of the brush 7 centre it within the tube 2. The brush 7 has a shaft 16, which is in parallel with the tube 2 and has a length roughly corresponding to the length of the tube 2. First bristles 17 and second bristles 18 made of a suitable plastic or steel are fastened to the shaft 16. The first bristles 17 are placed in an own group, mainly in parallel with the shaft 16, and the second bristles 18 are placed in a corresponding own group. The first bristles 17 have a length, which make them reach to brush the inner surface 15 of the tube 2. The second bristles 18 have a length, which make them reach to brush the rear end 12 of the nozzle and the nozzle opening 13 there. When required, the brush 7 is ro- tated around its shaft 16 so that the internal parts of the shower tube 1 are cleaned. When mounting the brush 7 into the tube 2 it must be observed that the bristles 17 or 18 are not left over a nozzle 3 to impede the flow of water or any other sprayed medium into the opening 13 at the rear end of the nozzle. The water flowing in the tube 2 can very well flow in the space 20 between the brush 7 and the tube 2.

Further, figure 3 shows a brush 7 according to the invention as seen from one side. It comprises modules 19a to 19d. The modules 19a to 19d comprise fastening means, with which they easily can be connected to each other and again disconnected from each other. Thus it is possible during maintenance to replace only that part of the brush 7, which requires replacement. It is much easier and cheaper to manufacture and transport such modules 19a to 19d than a brush with a length corresponding to the whole width of a paper machine. Figure 3 shows how the bristles 17 and 18 of different modules 19a to 19d have been placed in different positions in relation to each other. If all modules 19a to 19d would be in the same position their bristles 17 would divide the interior 20 of the tube 2 into three segments, which would disturb the flow of water in the tube 2. When the bristles of the modules 19a to 19d are located in different positions they will also enable a better and more robust centering ofthe brush 7 in the tube 2.

The figures show only one preferred embodiment example according to the invention. The figures do not separately show facts, which are secondary in relation to the main idea of the invention, which are known as such, or which as such are obvious to a person skilled in the art, such as power sources or any support structures required by the invention. To a person skilled in the art it is obvious that the invention is not limited only to the examples presented above, but that the invention can vary within the limits presented in the claims below. The dependent claims present some possible embodiments of the invention, and as such they should not be considered to limit the scope ofthe invention.

Claims

1. A shower tube (1) in a paper machine or the like, which shower tube (1) comprises

- an elongated tube (2) for conveying medium, the rube (2) having an inner surface (15) and an outer surface (14),

- one or more openings (8) formed in the tube (2) and leading from its inner surface (15) to its outer surface (14) for directing the medium out from the tube (2) at desired locations,

- a nozzle (3) located at an opening (8) for spraying the medium in a desired man- ner,

- nozzle fastening means (9, 10) for fastening the nozzle (3) at the opening (8), characterised in that the nozzle fastening means (9, 10) are an integral part of the elongated tube (2) and that they are formed at the edge of the opening (8) and of the tube (2) material, which was located at the opening (8) formed in the tube (2).

2. A shower tube according to claim 1, characterised in that the nozzle fastening means comprise a collar (9), which is arranged to extend a first distance (A) from the inner surface (15) of the tube into the tube (2), whereby the first distance (A) is advantageously 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm, 16 mm, 17 mm, 18 mm, 19 mm or 20 mm, most advantageously 4 to 8 mm.

3. A shower tube according to claim 1 or 2, characterised in that the nozzle (3) has

- a rear end (12) directed towards the inner side (15) ofthe tube and having a nozzle opening (13) for directing medium from the tube (2) into the nozzle (3), - a front end (11) directed towards the outer side (14) of the tube and having an opening (21) for spraying medium out from the nozzle (3), which rear end (12) is arranged at a second distance (B) from the inner surface (15) of the tube into the tube (2), whereby the second distance (B) is advantageously 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm, 10 mm, 11 mm, 12 mm, 13 mm, 14 mm, 15 mm, 16 mm, 17 mm, 18 mm, 19 mm or 20 mm, most advantageously 6 to 10 mm.

4. A shower tube according to claim 3, characterised in that the second distance (B) equals the first distance (A), or that the second distance is 1 mm, 2 mm, 3 mm, 4 mm, 5 mm, 6 mm, 7 mm, 8 mm, 9 mm or 10 mm longer than the first distance (A).

5. A shower tube according to any previous claim, characterised in that it comprises a brush (7) arranged within the tube (2), the brush having first bristles (17) arranged to brush the inner surface (15) of the shower tube, and means for moving the brush (7) within the tube (2).

6. A shower tube according to claim 5, characterised in that the brush (7) further comprises second bristles (18), which are arranged to brush the rear end (12) of a nozzle and the nozzle opening (13) located there.

7. A shower tube according to claim 6, characterised in that the second bristles (18) are at least roughly the second distance (B) shorter than the first bristles (17).

8. A shower tube according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterised in that the brush (7) comprises several brush modules (19a - 19d), which are detachably connected to each other, whereby their bristles (17, 18) are advantageously mounted in mutually different positions.

9. A paper machine or the like comprising one or more shower tubes, character- ised in that the shower tube (1) is a shower tube (1) according to any ofthe previous claims 1 to 8.

10. A method for manufacturing a shower tube (1), in which method:

- one or more openings (8) are formed in a metallic tube (2), whereby the opening leads from the tube's inner surface (15) to its outer surface (14), - nozzle fastening means (9, 10) are arranged at the opening (8),

- a nozzle (3) is fastened to the fastening means (9, 10), characterised in that the opening (8) is formed by friction drilling, whereby the fastening means (10) are formed at the edge of the opening (8) of the tube's (2) material, which was located at the opening (8).

11. A method according to claim 10, characterised in that a collar (9) is formed at the edge of the opening (8) of the tube's (2) material, which was located at the opening (8), whereby the fastening means (10) are formed in the collar.

12. A method according to claim 10 or 11, characterised in that the fastening means are threads (10), and that they are formed at the edge of the opening (8) by roll threading or by chipping threading, whereby the nozzle (3) has fastening shapes fitting in the threads (10).

13. A method according to claim 10, 11 or 12, characterised in that the nozzle (13) is locked in its place by gluing.

14. A method according to any previous claim 10 to 13, characterised in that further the inner surface (15) ofthe shower tube is brushed with first bristles (17).

15. A method according to claim 14, characterised in that further the rear end (12) ofthe nozzle and the shower tube's opening (13) located there are brushed with second bristles (18).