Piping system

Abstract

A piping system includes a flare machining mechanism and a screw machining mechanism that machines the ends of pipes by cold-pressed formation. The flare machining mechanism flares the ends of pipes outward and the screw machining mechanism machines the outside of the pipe end into a convex screw and the inside of the pipe end into a concave screw are provided on the same rotor mechanism and the same chuck. The piping system is configured to execute flare machining and screw machining of the end of the pipe by exchanging the flare machining head and the screw machining head.

Claims

1. A piping system comprising: a box frame comprising a base frame, an upper frame, a front frame, a back frame, and side frames; a chuck disposed within the box frame; a rotary base mount disposed within the box frame; an arm base disposed within the box frame; a rotor mechanism disposed within the box frame; and a flare machining mechanism mountable on the rotor mechanism via the chuck and mounting a flare machining head that flares an end of a pipe outward, and a screw machining mechanism mountable on the rotor mechanism via the chuck and mounting a screw machining head configured to cause cold-pressed deformation of the end of the pipe to machine the outer circumference of the end of the pipe into a convex screw and to machine the inner circumference of the end of the pipe into a concave screw, wherein only one of the flare machining mechanism and the screw machining mechanism is disposed on the rotor mechanism via the chuck at a time, wherein the flare machining head of the flare machining mechanism and the screw machining head of the screw machining mechanism are interchangeably disposable on the same chuck, wherein the piping system is configured to execute flare machining and screw machining of the end of the pipe by exchanging the flare machining head and the screw machining head.

2. The piping system according to claim 1, wherein the chuck on which either the flare machining head or the screw machining head is installed is provided on the arm base and installed on the rotary base mount, wherein the chuck is caused to slide to fit a size of the pipe by a control part disposed on the rotary base mount.

3. The piping system according to claim 1, wherein the flare machining head comprises a conical machining head that moves from a horizontal position to a vertical position by sliding along a smooth surface of the end of the pipe while maintaining continuous contact with the surface of the pipe to flare the end of the pipe.

4. The piping system according to claim 1, wherein the screw machining mechanism that screw machines the end of the pipe further comprises multiple guide rollers disposed inside or outside the end of the pipe.

5. The piping system according to claim 4, wherein, in the screw machining mechanism that screw machines the end of the pipe by cold-pressed formation, the machining head that is disposed inside or outside the end of the pipe has a shape of a rod with a conical tip and has teeth deployed in a spiral around the outer circumferential surface of the cone-tipped machining head rod.

6. The piping system according to claim 5, wherein, of the teeth deployed in a spiral around the outer circumferential surface of the cone-tipped machining head rod, the teeth disposed at a tip of the cone form an acute angle that gradually widens as the spiral descends toward a base of the cone to form screw threads that spread out.

7. The piping system according to claim 4, further comprising: a machining head micromovement stand; and a plurality of attachment sockets disposed on the chuck and configured to accommodate the flare machining head, the screw machining head, and the guide rollers, wherein, in screw machining, the screw machining head and the guide rollers are moved along the chuck simultaneously by operation of a chuck control unit, and a position of the screw machining head is adjusted to fit a size of the pipe by operation of the machining head micromovement stand.

8. The piping system according to claim 7, wherein the chuck is provided with one or more grooves, and during screw machining, one of the attachment sockets is configured to move along at least one of the grooves in the chuck.

9. The piping system according to claim 1, wherein the rotor mechanism mounting the flare machining mechanism and the screw machining mechanism is configured to be moved by a mechanism attached to the box frame.

10. A piping system comprising: a box frame comprising a base frame, an upper frame, a front frame, a back frame, and side frames; a chuck disposed within the box frame; a rotary base mount disposed within the box frame; an arm base disposed within the box frame; a rotor mechanism disposed within the box frame; and a flare machining mechanism mountable on the rotor mechanism and configured to flare an end of a pipe outward, and a screw machining mechanism mountable on the rotor mechanism and configured to cause cold-pressed deformation of the end of the pipe to machine the outer circumference of the end of the pipe into a convex screw and to machine the inner circumference of the end of the pipe into a concave screw, wherein only one of the flare machining mechanism and the screw machining mechanism is disposed on the rotor mechanism via the chuck at a time, wherein a flare machining head of the flare machining mechanism and a screw machining head of the screw machining mechanism are interchangeably disposable on the same chuck, wherein positions of the flare machining head and the screw machining head are changed by moving the chuck to execute flare machining and screw machining of the end of the pipe.

11. The piping system according to claim 10, wherein the chuck on which either the flare machining head or the screw machining head is installed is provided on the arm base and installed on the rotary base mount, wherein the chuck is caused to slide to fit a size of the pipe by a control part disposed on the rotary base mount.

12. The piping system according to claim 10, wherein the flare machining head comprises a conical machining head that moves from a horizontal position to a vertical position by sliding along a smooth surface of the end of the pipe while maintaining continuous contact with the surface of the pipe to flare the end of the pipe.

13. The piping system according to claim 10, wherein the screw machining mechanism that screw machines the end of the pipe further comprises and multiple guide rollers disposed inside or outside the end of the pipe.

14. The piping system according to claim 13, wherein, in the screw machining mechanism that screw machines the end of the pipe by cold-pressed formation, the machining head that is disposed inside or outside the end of the pipe has a shape of a rod with a conical tip and has teeth deployed in a spiral around the outer circumferential surface of the cone-tipped machining head rod.

15. The piping system according to claim 14, wherein, of the teeth deployed in a spiral around the outer circumferential surface of the cone-tipped machining head rod, the teeth disposed at a tip of the cone form an acute angle that gradually widens as the spiral descends toward a base of the cone to form screw threads that spread out.

16. The piping system according to claim 13, further comprising: a machining head micromovement stand; and a plurality of attachment sockets disposed on the chuck and configured to accommodate the flare machining head, the screw machining head, and the guide rollers, wherein, in screw machining, the screw machining head and the guide rollers are moved along the chuck simultaneously by operation of a chuck control unit, and the position of the screw machining head is adjusted to fit a size of the pipe by operation of the machining head micromovement stand.

17. The piping system according to claim 16, wherein the chuck is provided with one or more grooves, and during screw machining, one of the attachment sockets is configured to move along at least one of the grooves in the chuck.

18. The piping system according to claim 10, wherein the rotor mechanism mounting the flare machining mechanism and the screw machining mechanism is configured to be moved by a mechanism attached to the box frame.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages and features thereof can be readily obtained and understood from the following detailed description with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the overall structure of a piping system according to the present invention;

(3) FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the overall structure of the piping system;

(4) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mechanical portion of the piping system;

(5) FIG. 4 is a plan view of the mechanical portion of the piping system;

(6) FIG. 5 is a side view of the mechanical portion of the piping system;

(7) FIG. 6 shows machining heads attached to a flare machining mechanism and a screw machining mechanism;

(8) FIG. 7A shows an attachment socket that attaches to the machining head;

(9) FIG. 7B shows a micromovement stand for the attachment socket;

(10) FIG. 8 shows a blade shape of the screw machining head;

(11) FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the flare machining attached to the mechanical portion of the piping system;

(12) FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the screw machining head attached to the mechanical portion of the piping system;

(13) FIGS. 11A and 11B illustrate operation of the flare machining mechanism;

(14) FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate operation of the flare machining mechanism;

(15) FIGS. 13A and 13B illustrate operation of the flare machining mechanism;

(16) FIG. 13C shows a finished flared pipe;

(17) FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a process of forming convex screw threads around the outside of a pipe;

(18) FIG. 15 is a schematic front view of the process of forming convex screw threads around the outside of a pipe;

(19) FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a process of forming concave screw threads on the inside of a pipe;

(20) FIG. 17 is a schematic front view of the process of forming concave screw threads on the inside of a pipe;

(21) FIG. 18 is a diagram illustrating starting operation of convex screw machining and concave screw machining of a pipe;

(22) FIG. 19 is a diagram illustrating ending operation of convex screw machining and concave screw machining of a pipe;

(23) FIG. 20 is a diagram illustrating large-diameter flare machining of a pipe;

(24) FIG. 21 is a diagram illustrating small-diameter flare machining of a pipe;

(25) FIG. 22A is a front view of a convex screw machining mechanism;

(26) FIG. 22B is a perspective view of a convex screw machining mechanism;

(27) FIG. 23A is a front view of a concave screw machining mechanism;

(28) FIG. 23B is a perspective view of a concave screw machining mechanism;

(29) FIG. 24 is a front view of a small-diameter convex screw machining mechanism;

(30) FIG. 25A is a front view of a small-diameter concave screw machining mechanism;

(31) FIG. 25B is a perspective view of machining head micromovement; and

(32) FIG. 25C is another perspective view of machining head micromovement.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(33) A detailed description is now given of exemplary embodiments of a piping system according to the present invention. Although for the sake of clarity specific terminology is employed to describe embodiments, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific terminology so selected. It is to be understood that each specific element includes all technical equivalents that have a similar function, operate in a similar manner, and achieve a similar result.

(34) FIG. 1 is a schematic plan view of the overall structure of a piping system 100 according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a schematic side view of the overall structure of the piping system 100 shown in FIG. 1.

(35) A base frame 371, an upper frame 372, a front frame 373, a back frame 374 and side frames 375 together constitute a strong box frame of the piping system 100, within which are disposed a rotor mechanism 1, a chuck mount 2, a rotary base mount 3, and an arm base 4.

(36) Three attachment sockets, 5.1, 5.2, and 5.3, are provided on the chuck mount 2 at three separate locations together with a chuck control unit 6.

(37) The arm base 4 is mounted on the rotary base mount 3 by arm base mounting screws 7, such that the arm base 4 moves up and down (vertically) by operation of an arm base control shaft 9 controlled by an arm base control knob 8.

(38) By adjusting to the pipe size by the vertical movement of the arm base 4, the chuck mount 2 revolves around a chuck mount support shaft so that the posture of the chuck mount 2 is adjusted to suit each type of machining, as is described later.

(39) Guide rollers 17.1 and 17.2 are fitted onto each of the attachment sockets 5.1 and 5.2 of the chuck mount 2.

(40) A pipe 22 is inserted into a clamp chuck 25 disposed on the inside of the front frame 373 from in front of the front frame 373, and the pipe 22 is forcibly clamped in place by the clamp chuck 25.

(41) The pipe 22 can be forcibly clamped in place by the clamp chuck 25 by the pressing power of a hydraulic cylinder B 35 operated by the hydraulic pressure of a hydraulic pump 33, acting through a hydraulic pipe 34.

(42) In FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 13 designates a rotary packing coupler, 18 designates a tip portion of the screw machining head 16, 29 designates a guide rail, 30 designates a drive shaft, 31 designates a nut liner, and 36 designates a power distribution box.

(43) The front end of the pipe 22 supported in place in contact with the rotor mechanism 1 and, as is shown below, the front end of the pipe 22 can be flared or threaded by the basic operation of the rotor mechanism 1 and by changing the machining heads.

(44) By attaching a flare machining head 15 to the chuck mount 2 and moving the chuck mount 2 using the arm base control knob 8 of the rotary base mount 3 to fit the size of the pipe 22, the action of the hydraulic cylinder A 10 rotates and slides the chuck mount 2 around the inside of the end of the pipe 22, enabling the flare machining mechanism of the rotor mechanism 1 to flare the end of the pipe 22.

(45) FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a mechanical portion of the piping system 100. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the mechanical portion of the piping system 100. FIG. 5 is a side view of the mechanical portion of the piping system 100. FIG. 6 shows attachable machining heads, including a flare machining head 15, a screw machining head 16, and a head 17, and a prototypical guide roller 17.

(46) In FIG. 5, reference numeral 9 designates an arm base operation shaft, 10 designates hydraulic cylinder A, 11 designates a chuck mount movable shaft, 12 designates a chuck mount support shaft, and 14 designates an arm base operating shaft bearing.

(47) In the flare machining mechanism of the rotor mechanism 1, the pipe 22 is fixed in place by the clamp chuck 25 of the piping system 100 as shown in FIGS. 11A and 11B, with the end of the pipe 22 contacting the outside of the machining head 15. As shown in FIGS. 12A and 12B, a hydraulic cylinder A 10 extends along the center of the chuck mount support shaft, such that the flare machining head 15 moves from a horizontal position to a vertical position by sliding along a smooth surface while maintaining continuous contact with that surface like a metal lathe to flare the end of the pipe 22, and continues to slide until the state shown in FIGS. 13A and 13B is reached.

(48) In the flare machining mechanism of the rotor mechanism 1, the method of matching the machine to the size of the pipe 22 to be processed is as follows. In the case of a wide pipe 22 like that shown in FIG. 20, the chuck mount 2 and the arm base 4 are moved in the direction indicated by the arrow by turning the arm base control knob 8 of the base mount 3. By contrast, in the case of a narrow pipe 22, these parts are moved in the direction shown in FIG. 21.

(49) Flaring is formed as shown in the finished flared product shown in FIG. 13C.

(50) By moving the screw machining head 16 on the chuck mount 2 to match the size of the pipe 22 and advancing the rotor mechanism 1, the screw machining mechanism of the rotor mechanism 1 can execute convex screw machining that causes cold-pressed deformation of the outer circumference of the pipe 22 and concave screw machining that causes cold-pressed deformation of the inner circumference of the pipe 22.

(51) The screw machining mechanism of the rotor mechanism 1 is configured so that, in convex screw machining, as shown in FIG. 14 the screw machining head 16 and guide rollers 17.1 and 17.2 are positioned at predetermined locations around the outside of a pipe 23 by operation of the chuck control unit 6 to fit the size of the pipe 23, after which the rotor mechanism 1 is then rotated by a drive apparatus 27 and advanced at a constant speed by a drive shaft drive motor 32 to machine the end of the pipe 23 into a convex screw. The drive apparatus 27 is then rotated in reverse while the rotor mechanism 1 is withdrawn by the drive shaft motor 32.

(52) As shown in FIG. 22A and FIG. 22B, the machining process when machining the end of the pipe 22 into a convex screw matching the size of the pipe 22 involves inserting a chuck handle 26 into the chuck control unit 6 of the chuck mount 2 and positioning the screw machining head 16 and the guide rollers 17.1, 17.2 around the outside of the pipe 22.

(53) By contrast, as shown in FIG. 23A and FIG. 23B, the machining process when machining the end of the pipe 22 into a concave screw matching the size of the pipe 22 involves inserting a chuck handle 26 into the chuck control unit 6 of the chuck mount 2, positioning the screw machining head 16 and the guide rollers 17.1, 17.2 around the outside of the pipe 22, and subsequently positioning the screw machining head 16 inside the pipe 22 using an adjustment knob 37 of a machining head micromovement stand 21.

(54) The machining head 16 and the guide rollers 17.1, 17.2 are moved along the chuck simultaneously by the chuck handle 26 inserted into the chuck control unit 6, while the position of the machining head 16 and adjustment to the thickness of the pipe 22 are carried out by operation of the machining head micromovement stand 21.

(55) As shown in FIGS. 25A and 25B, turning the adjustment knob 37 located on the machining head micromovement stand 21 moves the machining head 16 inserted in the attachment socket.

(56) Regarding the screw machining mechanism, the screw machining procedure involves moving while rotating the rotor mechanism 1 (that is, the machining head 16, the chuck mount with the guide rollers 17.1, 17.2 mounted thereon, the arm base 4, and the rotary base mount 3) positioned at the end of the pipe 22 fixed in place by the clamp chuck 25 as shown in FIG. 18 and screw machining the end of the pipe 23 with the machining head 16 and stopping at a predetermined position as shown in FIG. 19, after which the rotor mechanism 1 is rotated in reverse and the machining head is withdrawn while forming the screw machined part.

(57) A finished product showing convex screw machining on the outside of the pipe 23 is shown in FIG. 15.

(58) Regarding the screw machining mechanism of the rotor mechanism 1, in concave screw machining, as shown in FIG. 16 the screw machining head 16 is positioned inside the end of a pipe 24 and the guide rollers 17.1, 17.2 are positioned at predetermined locations around the outside of the pipe 24 according to the size of the pipe 24 by operation of the chuck control unit 6 and of the head micromovement stand 21. The rotor mechanism 1 is then rotated by the drive apparatus 27 and advanced at a constant speed by the drive shaft drive motor 32 to execute concave screw machining, after which the drive apparatus 27 is rotated in reverse while the rotor mechanism 1 is withdrawn by the drive shaft drive motor 32.

(59) A finished product with the concave screw machining completed on the inside of the pipe 24 is shown in FIG. 17.

(60) In convex screw machining, the function of the guide rollers 17.1, 17.2 is to apply pressure to hold the end of the convex screw machined part of the pipe 23 in a shape that approaches a perfect circle.

(61) By contrast, in concave screw machining, the function of the guide rollers 17.1, 17.2 is to apply pressure to prevent the end of the concave screw machined portion of the pipe 24 from widening and to hold the end of the pipe 24 in a shape that approaches a perfect circle.

(62) The rod-shaped machining head 16 with the conical tip that is positioned either inside or outside the pipe 22 has teeth deployed in a spiral around the outer circumferential surface thereof, with the teeth disposed at the tip of the spiral forming an acute angle and thereafter gradually widening toward the base. The machining head 16 is configured so that, during screw machining, the machining head 16 at first bites into the end of the pipe 22 and can machine the end smoothly into shape while as the machining head 16 advances the screw threads tend to spread out so as to be able to maintain a uniform thickness especially in the case of thin-walled pipes.

(63) The rounding of the screw threads is done in order to allow earth and sand to escape when foundation piles are sunk into the ground, in order to keep the joint sections clear for good coupling.

(64) During formation of the screw threads, when the tip of the screw machining head is made to bite into the pipe, because the teeth are deployed in the shape of a spiral, a stress arises automatically that causes the machining head to advance and retreat along the pipe. As a result, the drive force required of the shaft drive motor 32 that advances and withdraws the rotor mechanism 1 can be reduced, thereby imposing less of a burden on the shaft drive motor 32.

(65) Because the screw portions can be screwed together, long pipes can be shortened and those that have been screw machined can be carried to the construction site, screwed together, and buried in the ground.

(66) Moreover, the piping system described using the embodiments disclosed above is compact and easily transportable to and from the construction site, and therefore can also be used in pipe-laying and building construction sites.

(67) Numerous additional modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the disclosure of the present invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. For example, elements and/or features of different examples and illustrative embodiments may be combined each other and/or substituted for each other within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims.