Flexible track device for automatic welding inside a pipe

Abstract

This invention discloses an automatic welding flexible track device for pipelines, comprising a steel strip body, a first connector, a second connector, and a support assembly. The first connector is fixed to a first end of the steel strip body, and the second connector is fixed to a second end of the steel strip body. The first and second connectors are connected by the support assembly. The support assembly expands the first and second connectors, causing the steel strip body to conform to the inner wall of the steel pipe. The automatic welding flexible track device for pipelines provided by this invention can provide guidance and fixation for automatic welding trolleys inside steel pipes, effectively improving the adaptability of the automatic welding track to steel pipes of different wall thicknesses, reducing the difficulty of installation and handling of the track, and extending the service life of the track; thereby reducing construction costs and improving work efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of pipeline welding technology, and in particular to an automatic welding flexible track device for pipelines. Background Technology

[0002] During the construction of long-distance pipelines, as the diameter and wall thickness of steel pipes continuously increase, the upper opening width of single-sided V-shaped welding bevels or composite welding bevels gradually increases, leading to high welding difficulty, numerous welding layers, large welding filler volume, and low welding efficiency. To solve these problems, X-shaped welding bevels are typically used, allowing for fully automated welding both inside and outside the steel pipe simultaneously. When performing fully automated welding inside the steel pipe, rigid rails are usually used for guiding and fixing the welding trolley. However, due to variations in the steel pipe wall thickness, the inner diameter of the pipe often changes, requiring the selection of rigid rails of different diameters for different wall thicknesses, resulting in a wide variety of rigid rail specifications and poor versatility. Rigid rails often loosen due to thermal expansion of the steel pipe, leading to displacement during use. Because rigid rails cannot be folded, transporting and installing them inside the steel pipe is time-consuming and complex, and once deformed, they cannot be repaired, resulting in high operating costs.

[0003] Therefore, existing technologies still need improvement. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this invention proposes an automatic welding flexible track device for pipelines, thereby overcoming the shortcomings of existing rigid tracks when used for pipeline welding.

[0005] The present invention discloses an automatic welding flexible track device for pipelines, comprising a steel strip body, a first connector, a second connector, and a support assembly, wherein...

[0006] The first connector is fixed to the first end of the steel strip body, and the second connector is fixed to the second end of the steel strip body. The first connector and the second connector are connected by the expansion assembly.

[0007] Furthermore, the expansion assembly expands the first connector and the second connector, causing the steel strip body to adhere to the inner wall of the pipe.

[0008] Furthermore, the expansion assembly includes two wedge-shaped blocks and a connecting bolt that connects the two wedge-shaped blocks together.

[0009] The two wedge-shaped blocks are arranged opposite each other, and the distance between the first connector and the second connector is adjusted by adjusting the distance between the two wedge-shaped blocks.

[0010] Furthermore, a spring is fitted onto the connecting bolt. The spring is in a contracted or stretched state, providing a force to the two wedge-shaped blocks to generate relative motion or a tendency for relative motion.

[0011] Furthermore, when the small ends of the two wedge-shaped blocks are facing each other, the spring is in a stretched state; when the large ends of the two wedge-shaped blocks are facing each other, the spring is in a contracted state.

[0012] Furthermore, at least one of the wedge-shaped blocks is provided with a through hole, the diameter of which increases at the end away from the other wedge-shaped block to form a spring receiving cavity, the spring being located within the spring receiving cavity.

[0013] Furthermore, the wedge-shaped block has an isosceles trapezoidal cross-section, and the two inclined surfaces of the wedge-shaped block abut against the first connector and the second connector, respectively.

[0014] Furthermore, along the length direction of the steel strip body, the first connector is provided with a guide groove, and the second connector is provided with a guide post, the front end of which can be inserted into the guide groove;

[0015] Furthermore, the guide post is provided with an elongated hole through which the connecting bolt passes.

[0016] Furthermore, the end of the first connector that is connected to the wedge-shaped block is a first inclined surface that slopes from the middle to both sides, and the side of the first inclined surface away from the steel strip body extends in the length direction of the steel strip body to form a first protrusion.

[0017] The end of the second connector that is connected to the wedge-shaped block is a second inclined surface that slopes from the middle to both sides. The side of the second inclined surface away from the steel strip body extends along the length direction of the steel strip body to form a second protrusion. The side of the second inclined surface close to the steel strip body extends along the length direction of the steel strip body to form a third protrusion.

[0018] One side of the wedge-shaped block is located within the first boss, and the other side of the wedge-shaped block is located between the second boss and the third boss.

[0019] Furthermore, it also includes a track overlap transition piece, one end of which is fixed to the back of the first end of the steel strip body. The first connector is installed on the track overlap transition piece. After the first connector and the second connector are connected, the back of the second end of the steel strip body is attached to the track overlap transition piece.

[0020] Furthermore, along the length of the steel strip body, the track overlap transition piece is provided with multiple rows of elongated holes, and the track overlap transition piece is fixed to the steel strip body by bolts passing through the elongated holes.

[0021] Furthermore, a plurality of support platforms are arranged on the back side of the steel strip body, and the height of the support platforms is adapted to the height of the first connector and the second connector.

[0022] By adopting the above technical solution, the present invention has at least the following beneficial effects:

[0023] The flexible track device for automatic welding inside pipes provided by this invention can provide guidance and fixation functions for automatic welding trolleys inside steel pipes and other pipes, effectively improving the adaptability of the automatic welding track inside steel pipes to steel pipes with different wall thicknesses, reducing the difficulty of installation and handling of the track inside steel pipes, and extending the service life of the track inside steel pipes; thereby reducing construction costs and improving work efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0024] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0025] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the installation of an automatic welding flexible track device inside a pipeline, as disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an automatic welding flexible track device inside a pipeline disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0027] Figure 3 , Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the first end of the steel strip body of an automatic welding flexible track device inside a pipeline, as disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the connection structure of the second end of the steel strip body of an automatic welding flexible track device inside a pipeline, as disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an automatic welding flexible track device inside a pipeline disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 7 , Figure 8This is a schematic diagram of the expansion assembly of an automatic welding flexible track device for pipelines according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an automatic welding flexible track device inside a pipeline disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an automatic welding flexible track device inside a pipeline disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 11 , Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the disassembly structure of an automatic welding flexible track device inside a pipeline, as disclosed in an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0034] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the present invention clearer, the embodiments of the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to specific examples and the accompanying drawings.

[0035] It should be noted that all uses of "first" and "second" in the embodiments of the present invention are for the purpose of distinguishing two entities or parameters with the same name but different names. It is clear that "first" and "second" are only for the convenience of expression and should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of the present invention. Subsequent embodiments will not explain this in detail.

[0036] like Figures 1 to 12 As shown in some embodiments of the present invention, an automatic welding flexible track device for pipelines is disclosed, comprising a steel strip body 2, a first connector 4, a second connector 6, and a support assembly 5, wherein...

[0037] The first connector 4 is fixed to the first end 21 of the steel strip body 2, and the second connector 6 is fixed to the second end 22 of the steel strip body 2. The first connector 4 and the second connector 6 are connected by the expansion assembly 5.

[0038] Furthermore, the expansion component 5 expands the first connector 4 and the second connector 6, causing the steel strip body 2 to adhere to the inner wall of the pipe 1.

[0039] In this embodiment, the expansion assembly 5 generates a force that moves the first connector 4 and the second connector 6 away from each other, thereby making the position between the first end 21 and the second end 22 of the steel strip body 2 adjustable. The expansion capacity of the expansion assembly 5 makes this device applicable to pipes with different inner diameters.

[0040] like Figures 7 to 10As shown in some embodiments of the present invention, the automatic welding flexible track device, based on the above embodiments, includes a support assembly 5 comprising two wedge-shaped blocks 51 and a connecting bolt 52 connecting the two wedge-shaped blocks 51 together. The two wedge-shaped blocks 51 are arranged opposite to each other, and the distance between the first connecting member 4 and the second connecting member 6 is adjusted by adjusting the distance between the two wedge-shaped blocks 51. A spring 53 is fitted onto the connecting bolt 52. The spring 53 is in a contracted or stretched state, providing a force to the two wedge-shaped blocks 51 to generate relative movement or a tendency for relative movement. When the small ends of the two wedge-shaped blocks 51 are opposite each other, the spring 53 is in a stretched state; when the large ends of the two wedge-shaped blocks 51 are opposite each other, the spring 53 is in a contracted state.

[0041] The automatic welding flexible track device disclosed in some embodiments of the present invention, based on the above embodiments, includes at least one wedge-shaped locking block 51 with a through hole 54. The diameter of the through hole 54 increases at the end away from the other wedge-shaped locking block 51 to form a spring receiving cavity 55, and the spring 53 is located within the spring receiving cavity 55. In a preferred embodiment, both wedge-shaped locking blocks 51 are provided with through holes 54 and corresponding spring receiving cavities 55 to ensure a more uniform and stable application of force.

[0042] In some embodiments, the wedge-shaped locking block 51 has an isosceles trapezoidal cross-section, and the two inclined surfaces of the wedge-shaped locking block 51 abut against the first connecting member 4 and the second connecting member 6, respectively. Along the length direction of the steel strip body 2, the first connecting member 4 is provided with a guide groove 41, and the second connecting member 6 is provided with a guide post 61, the front end of which can be inserted into the guide groove 41; and the guide post 61 is provided with an elongated hole 65 for the connecting bolt 52 to pass through.

[0043] The first connector 4 is connected to the wedge-shaped block 51 at one end, which is a first inclined surface 42 that slopes from the middle to both sides. The side of the first inclined surface 42 away from the steel strip body 2 extends in the length direction of the steel strip body 2 to form a first protrusion 43.

[0044] The end of the second connector 6 connected to the wedge-shaped block 51 is a second inclined surface 62 that slopes from the middle to both sides. The side of the second inclined surface 62 away from the steel strip body 2 extends in the length direction of the steel strip body 2 to form a second protrusion 63. The side of the second inclined surface 62 close to the steel strip body 2 extends in the length direction of the steel strip body 2 to form a third protrusion 64.

[0045] One side of the wedge-shaped locking block 51 is located within the first protrusion 43, and the other side of the wedge-shaped locking block 51 is located between the second protrusion 63 and the third protrusion 64.

[0046] The automatic welding flexible track device disclosed in some embodiments of the present invention, based on the above embodiments, further includes a track overlap transition piece 7 to ensure the overall stability of the track. One end of the track overlap transition piece 7 is fixed to the back of the first end 21 of the steel strip body 2. The first connector 4 is installed on the track overlap transition piece 7. After the first connector 4 and the second connector 6 are connected, the back of the second end 22 of the steel strip body 2 is attached to the track overlap transition piece 7. Along the length direction of the steel strip body 2, the track overlap transition piece 7 is provided with multiple rows of elongated holes 71. The track overlap transition piece 7 is fixed to the steel strip body 2 by bolts passing through the elongated holes 71. By providing the elongated holes 71, the track overlap transition piece 7 can be installed through different elongated holes 71, thereby further realizing the adjustability of the track length.

[0047] Correspondingly, the track overlap transition piece 7 is also provided with a transition groove that overlaps with the guide groove. The front end of the transition groove is longer than the guide groove. The guide column enters the transition groove first, and then enters the overlap area of ​​the guide groove and the transition groove.

[0048] In some embodiments of the present invention, the automatic welding flexible track device disclosed above, in order to make the steel strip and the inner wall of the pipe stably connected, a plurality of support platforms 3 are arranged on the back of the steel strip body 2, and the height of the support platform 3 is adapted to the height of the first connecting member 4 and the second connecting member 6.

[0049] The automatic welding flexible track device disclosed in some embodiments of the present invention, such as Figures 3 to 10 As shown, the steel strip body 2 is a flexible steel strip that can be connected at both ends to form a ring. This device utilizes the characteristic of the ring-shaped steel strip to maintain its ring shape after processing, and is designed based on the fundamental principle that the diameter of the ring-shaped steel strip increases as its circumference increases. By installing wedge-shaped clamps 51 and other expansion components 5 at the joint of the ring-shaped steel strip, the circumference of the ring-shaped steel strip is increased, which in turn causes the diameter of the ring-shaped steel strip to increase. This allows the support columns on the outer surface of the ring-shaped steel strip to clamp the inner wall of the steel pipe, thus fixing the relative position of the ring-shaped steel strip and the steel pipe. The crawling trolley is then mounted onto the track via a wheel system, and the ring-shaped steel strip is used to guide and fix the trolley.

[0050] The main body of the track is a ring-shaped strip of highly elastic and hard steel plate. The track is installed inside the steel pipe for operation, and the overall length of the track is adjustable through the ingenious design of the track joint.

[0051] The track joint is divided into three parts: the A-end joint, the B-end joint, and the wedge-shaped expansion block (expansion assembly 5).

[0052] The A-end (first end 21) joint mainly consists of the track ring steel strip body 2, the track overlap transition piece 7, and the first connector 4, which are connected by bolts. The track overlap transition piece 7 has densely packed elongated holes for bolting to the track ring steel strip body 2 at different positions, thereby changing the overall length of the track and achieving the effect of adapting the same track to steel pipes with different wall thicknesses.

[0053] The B-end (second end 22) joint mainly consists of the track ring steel strip body 2 and the second connector 6, which are connected by bolts. After installation, the protruding part (guide post 61) at the front end of the second connector 6 and the recessed groove (guide groove 41) at the front end of the first connector 4 cooperate with each other to form an axial limit at the track joint, so as to achieve the effect that the end faces of the track A-end joint, B-end joint and track ring steel strip body 2 are on the same plane.

[0054] The wedge-shaped expansion block (expansion assembly 5) mainly consists of two wedge-shaped blocks 51, a compensating spring 53, and a central fixing screw (connecting bolt 52). Tightening the screw pulls the two wedge-shaped blocks 51 closer together. The inclined surfaces of the two wedge-shaped blocks 51 interact with the inclined surfaces of the A-end clamping block (first connecting piece 4) and the B-end clamping block (second connecting piece 6), pushing the A-end joint and the B-end joint apart. This achieves the effect of expanding the annular steel strip body 2 of the track, ensuring the outer support column of the track is tightly attached to the inner wall of the steel pipe, thus achieving relative fixation between the track and the steel pipe. When the steel pipe expands in diameter during welding and heating, the compensating spring 53 at the lower end of the central fixing screw provides compensating force, automatically pushing the two wedge-shaped blocks 51 tighter. This ensures a constant tension force between the track and the steel pipe, preventing the track from loosening due to the thermal expansion of the steel pipe.

[0055] The locking block at end A, the locking block at end B, and the wedge-shaped expansion block work together to form a radial limit on the track ring surface, thereby achieving a tight fit between the track overlap transition piece 7 at end A and the annular steel strip body 2 at end B, which facilitates the smooth passage of the crawler wheel system.

[0056] like Figure 11 , Figure 12 As shown, during disassembly, after the wedge-shaped expansion blocks are completely disassembled and separated from the joints on both sides of the track, the radial limiting of the track end clamping block, the track end clamping block, and the wedge-shaped expansion blocks on the track ring surface disappears. The track end B can be pulled out radially along the track ring surface, and the highly elastic annular strip track body can be bent to minimize the overall diameter of the track, making it easier to transport and install the track inside the steel pipe.

[0057] In summary, the use of a flexible internal welding track device as the track for the crawler trolley of the welding equipment in the automatic welding of inner circumferential welds has been successfully applied to automatic submerged arc welding of inner circumferential welds and all-position automatic welding of inner circumferential welds in pipelines. The track provides good guidance and positioning for the welding trolley, which helps improve welding quality. The same track can accommodate steel pipes of the same diameter but different wall thicknesses by adjusting different positioning holes, greatly reducing the number of tracks used. It completely avoids the phenomenon of track loosening due to the thermal expansion of steel pipes in traditional rigid tracks. Due to the track's light weight and ease of installation and transportation, the efficiency of this process has been increased by 20%.

[0058] It should be noted that the components or steps in the above embodiments can be interchanged, substituted, added, or deleted. Therefore, the combinations formed by these reasonable permutations and transformations should also fall within the protection scope of this invention, and the protection scope of this invention should not be limited to the above embodiments.

[0059] The above are exemplary embodiments disclosed in this invention. The order of the disclosed embodiments is merely for descriptive purposes and does not represent the superiority or inferiority of the embodiments. However, it should be noted that the discussion of any of the above embodiments is merely exemplary and is not intended to imply that the scope of the disclosed embodiments of this invention (including the claims) is limited to these examples. Various changes and modifications can be made without departing from the scope defined by the claims. The functions, steps, and / or actions of the methods according to the disclosed embodiments described herein do not need to be performed in any particular order. Furthermore, although the elements disclosed in the embodiments of this invention may be described or claimed individually, they may be understood as multiple unless explicitly limited to a singular.

[0060] Those skilled in the art should understand that the discussion of any of the above embodiments is merely exemplary and is not intended to imply that the scope of the invention (including the claims) is limited to these examples. Within the framework of the invention, technical features of the above embodiments or different embodiments can be combined, and many other variations of the different aspects of the invention as described above exist, which are not provided in the details for the sake of brevity. Therefore, any omissions, modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the invention should be included within the protection scope of the invention.

Claims

1. An automatic welding device for flexible tracks inside a pipeline, characterized in that, It includes a steel strip body, a first connector, a second connector, and a tensioning assembly, wherein, The first connector is fixed to the first end of the steel strip body, and the second connector is fixed to the second end of the steel strip body. The first connector and the second connector are connected by the expansion assembly. Furthermore, the expansion assembly expands the first connector and the second connector, causing the steel strip body to adhere to the inner wall of the pipe; The expansion assembly includes two wedge-shaped blocks and a connecting bolt that connects the two wedge-shaped blocks together. The two wedge-shaped blocks are arranged opposite each other, and the distance between the first connector and the second connector is adjusted by adjusting the distance between the two wedge-shaped blocks. A spring is fitted onto the connecting bolt. The spring is in a contracted or stretched state, providing a force to the two wedge-shaped blocks to generate relative motion or a tendency to move relative to each other. At least one of the wedge-shaped blocks is provided with a through hole. The diameter of the through hole increases at the end away from the other wedge-shaped block to form a spring receiving cavity, and the spring is located in the spring receiving cavity. Along the length of the steel strip body, the first connector is provided with a guide groove, and the second connector is provided with a guide post, the front end of which can be inserted into the guide groove; Furthermore, the guide post is provided with an elongated hole through which the connecting bolt passes.

2. The automatic welding flexible track device according to claim 1, characterized in that, When the small ends of the two wedge-shaped blocks are facing each other, the spring is in a stretched state; when the large ends of the two wedge-shaped blocks are facing each other, the spring is in a contracted state.

3. The automatic welding flexible track device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The wedge-shaped block has an isosceles trapezoidal cross-section, and its two inclined surfaces abut against the first connector and the second connector, respectively.

4. The automatic welding flexible track device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first connector is connected to the wedge-shaped block at one end, which is a first inclined surface that slopes from the middle to both sides. The side of the first inclined surface away from the steel strip body extends along the length direction of the steel strip body to form a first protrusion. The end of the second connector that is connected to the wedge-shaped block is a second inclined surface that slopes from the middle to both sides. The side of the second inclined surface away from the steel strip body extends along the length direction of the steel strip body to form a second protrusion. The side of the second inclined surface close to the steel strip body extends along the length direction of the steel strip body to form a third protrusion. One side of the wedge-shaped block is located within the first boss, and the other side of the wedge-shaped block is located between the second boss and the third boss.

5. The automatic welding flexible track device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a track overlap transition piece, one end of which is fixed to the back of the first end of the steel strip body. The first connector is installed on the track overlap transition piece. After the first connector and the second connector are connected, the back of the second end of the steel strip body is attached to the track overlap transition piece.

6. The automatic welding flexible track device according to claim 4, characterized in that, Along the length of the steel strip body, the track overlap transition piece is provided with multiple rows of elongated holes, and the track overlap transition piece is fixed to the steel strip body by bolts passing through the elongated holes.

7. The automatic welding flexible track device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The back of the steel strip body is also provided with multiple support platforms, the height of which is adapted to the height of the first connector and the second connector.

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