A variable-size annular inner support mechanism for circumferential welding of tank sections

Abstract

This invention discloses a variable-size annular inner support mechanism for welding seams in tank sections, comprising: a head unit, a tail unit, at least two joint units, a self-locking unit, and joint connection units. When the annular inner support mechanism is in a supporting state, the head unit, the tail unit, and the at least two joint units are arranged in a ring, and the self-locking unit is in a self-locking state. The drive mechanisms of the tail unit and the joint units are respectively connected to adjacent joint connection units along the same circumferential direction. The outer ring of the annular inner support mechanism supports the tank section. When the annular inner support mechanism is in a retracted state, the self-locking unit is in an unlocked state. This invention achieves automatic disengagement of the annular inner support mechanism and can adapt to tanks of different sizes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of circumferential welding technology, and in particular to a variable-size annular inner support mechanism for circumferential welding of tank cylinder sections. Background Technology

[0002] With the increasing demands of space exploration and research, launch vehicles are becoming larger, leading to changes in rocket manufacturing processes. Among these changes, the welding process for large rocket propellant tanks has evolved to friction stir welding. To address the deformation caused by friction stir welding to the thin walls of the propellant tank, current implementations use internal support mechanisms for reverse support during the circumferential weld of the tank sections. These internal support mechanisms are of two types: hydraulically automatic extension support mechanisms and manually assembled rod support mechanisms. The hydraulically automatic extension support mechanism is used for the initial circumferential weld of the tank and consists of a disc platform, a central shaft mechanism, a radial hydraulic mechanism, petal-shaped internal support blocks, and manually operated wedge blocks. The manually assembled rod support mechanism is used for the final circumferential weld, consisting of a central shaft, various rod structures, and petal-shaped internal support blocks. However, due to space limitations, during the final circumferential weld, the rod support mechanism can only be manually transported piece by piece into the tank through the manhole in the tank cover, assembled into a whole for support, and then manually disassembled out of the manhole after welding. This entire process is difficult and inefficient.

[0003] In existing technology, a serpentine internal support device for circumferential welding of large-diameter tank sections comprises an intermediate unit, a first unit, a last unit, an intermediate connecting module, and a head-and-tail self-locking module. The head-and-tail self-locking module controls the tight self-locking and movable opening of the first and last units respectively by switching between a self-locking state and an open state, thereby controlling the serpentine internal support device's full-circumference circular state and free movement state. After welding, it can automatically drill out through the manhole. However, this support device has extremely strict manufacturing requirements, roundness cannot be guaranteed, and it cannot adapt to the internal support during welding of tank sections of different sizes. Therefore, there is an urgent need for an automatic support mechanism that can freely drill out through the manhole after welding to solve the problems of high difficulty and low efficiency in manual disassembly and assembly during the final circumferential welding of the tank, and can adapt to different rocket sizes.

[0004] Therefore, those skilled in the art are dedicated to providing a variable-size annular inner support mechanism for circumferential welding of rocket tank sections, to adapt to the welding support requirements of weld seams in rocket tanks of different sizes, and to be able to automatically exit from the tank manhole. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the deficiencies in the prior art, the technical problem to be solved by the present invention is how to provide a welding support structure that can adapt to the weld seams of storage tanks of different sizes.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the present invention provides a variable-size annular inner support mechanism for welding seams in storage tank sections, comprising:

[0007] The first unit has a joint connecting unit at one end and a self-locking unit at the other end.

[0008] The tail unit has a drive mechanism at one end and the self-locking unit at the other end.

[0009] At least two joint units, wherein a drive mechanism is provided at one end of the internal part of each joint unit and a joint connection unit is connected to the other end;

[0010] The self-locking unit has its two ends connected to the first unit and the tail unit respectively, and it has a self-locking state and an unlocking state.

[0011] Joint connection units, which are respectively connected to the first unit or one of the joint units;

[0012] When the annular inner support mechanism is in the support state, the first unit, the tail unit, and the at least two joint units are arranged in a ring, the self-locking unit is in a self-locking state, and the drive mechanism of the tail unit and the drive mechanism of the joint unit are respectively connected to the adjacent joint connection unit along the same circumferential direction. The annular outer side of the annular inner support mechanism is used to support the cylindrical section.

[0013] When the annular inner support mechanism is in the retracted state, the self-locking unit is in the unlocked state;

[0014] The drive mechanism is capable of pushing and rotating the joint connection unit.

[0015] Furthermore, the first unit and the last unit include a main frame, a connecting device, and an arc-shaped support unit. The connecting device is arranged along the circumferential direction of the main frame, and the arc-shaped support unit is arranged on the connecting device. The arc-shaped support unit is used to support the cylindrical section.

[0016] Furthermore, the joint unit includes a main frame, a connecting device, an arc-shaped support unit, and the driving mechanism. The connecting device is arranged along the circumferential direction of the main frame, the arc-shaped support unit is disposed on the connecting device, and the driving mechanism is disposed inside the main frame. The arc-shaped support unit is used to support the cylindrical section.

[0017] Furthermore, the connecting device is provided with a guide groove, and the arc-shaped support unit is connected to the connecting device through the guide groove, and the arc-shaped support unit can move along the guide groove.

[0018] Preferably, the joint unit further includes a wedge block that supports the arc-shaped support unit.

[0019] Furthermore, the driving mechanism includes a structural support plate, an ejection electric cylinder, a translational support rail, and a rotary motor. The translational support rail is disposed on the structural support plate and provides movement limit for the structural support plate. The output end of the ejection electric cylinder is connected to the structural support plate, and the ejection electric cylinder pushes the structural support plate to move. The rotary motor is fixed on the structural support plate.

[0020] Preferably, the output end of the rotary motor is connected to a first bevel gear.

[0021] Furthermore, the joint connection unit includes a cross-shaped ball joint, a cross-shaped ball joint support arm, a gear shaft, a second bevel gear, a pinion, a large gear, a cross-shaped ball joint connecting arm, and a cross-shaped ball joint connecting plate. The cross-shaped ball joint support arm is fixed to the structural support plate. The gear shaft is perpendicularly connected to the cross-shaped ball joint support arm. The second bevel gear and the pinion are mounted on the gear shaft. The second bevel gear meshes with the first bevel gear. The cross-shaped ball joint is rotatably connected to the cross-shaped ball joint support arm. The large gear is connected to the cross-shaped ball joint and meshes with the pinion. One end of the cross-shaped ball joint connecting arm is connected to the cross-shaped ball joint, and the cross-shaped ball joint connecting plate is connected to the other end of the cross-shaped ball joint connecting arm.

[0022] Furthermore, the self-locking unit includes a self-locking support block, a support rod, and a self-locking electric cylinder, with two sets of each of the self-locking support block, support rod, and self-locking electric cylinder, symmetrically distributed; two self-locking support blocks cooperate with each other, one end of the support rod is rotatably connected to the self-locking support block, the other end of the support rod is rotatably connected to one of the main frame components, one end of the self-locking electric cylinder is rotatably connected to the support rod, and the other end of the self-locking electric cylinder is connected to one of the wedge blocks.

[0023] Preferably, the two self-locking support blocks are fitted with concave and convex spheres.

[0024] The present invention has at least the following beneficial technical effects:

[0025] The variable-size annular inner support mechanism for circumferential welding of tank sections provided by this invention can automatically retract from the tank manhole after welding, avoiding the tedious process of manual disassembly and assembly, and significantly improving operational efficiency and operability. The arc-shaped support in the inner support mechanism can adapt to tanks of different diameters, solving the shortcomings of existing inner support mechanisms in meeting the requirements of welding annular sections of tanks of different sizes. The arc-shaped support structure is circular, and the circularity accuracy is improved by setting self-locking units at both ends and a certain number of wedge blocks.

[0026] The following will further explain the concept, specific structure, and technical effects of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, so as to fully understand the purpose, features, and effects of the present invention. Attached Figure Description

[0027] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of a variable-size annular inner support mechanism for circumferential welding of a tank section according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0028] Figure 2 This is an assembly diagram of the joint unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0029] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the self-locking unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0030] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the joint connection unit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of joint extension and retraction according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the motion of the internal support mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0033] In the diagram, 1-joint unit, 101-main frame, 102-connecting device, 103-arc support unit, 104-wedge block, 105-ejection electric cylinder, 106-translation support track, 107-structural support plate, 108-rotary motor, 109-first bevel gear, 2-head unit, 3-tail unit, 4-self-locking unit, 401-self-locking support block, 402-support rod, 403-self-locking electric cylinder, 5-joint connection unit, 501-cross ball joint, 502-cross ball joint support arm, 503-large gear, 504-small gear, 505-second bevel gear, 506-cross ball joint connecting arm, 507-cross ball joint connecting plate, 508-gear shaft, 6-tank wall, 7-tank cover manhole. Detailed Implementation

[0034] The preferred embodiments of the present invention are described below to make the technical content clearer and easier to understand. The present invention can be embodied in many different forms, and the scope of protection of the present invention is not limited to the embodiments mentioned herein.

[0035] In the accompanying drawings, components with the same structure are indicated by the same numerical designation, and components with similar structures or functions are indicated by similar numerical designations. The dimensions and thicknesses of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrary, and the present invention does not limit the dimensions and thicknesses of each component. To make the illustrations clearer, the thickness of some components has been appropriately exaggerated in the drawings.

[0036] This invention provides a ring-shaped internal support mechanism for circumferential welding of a variable-size storage tank section, comprising a head unit, a tail unit, and a joint unit. These units are connected in series. The head unit and tail unit are connected by a self-locking unit, and the tail unit and joint unit, joint unit and joint unit, and joint unit and head unit are connected by joint connecting units. The head unit, tail unit, and joint unit are equipped with arc-shaped support units of different sizes, which support the storage tank section.

[0037] The joint unit has a frame structure with mounting holes on its outer surface for installing arc-shaped support units. The connecting device on the joint unit has guide grooves, allowing arc-shaped support units of different diameters to be fixed in the guide grooves and slide circumferentially. The arc-shaped groove on the joint unit is divided into two parts, with a wedge-shaped block clamping it in the middle. The joint unit frame contains a telescopic electric cylinder and a joint motor for joint extension, retraction, and lateral swinging.

[0038] The joint connection unit adopts a cross-ball joint form and has two kinematic pairs. The P pair is a linear kinematic pair used for opening and closing movements between the joint units. The gear pair is a left-right swinging rotary pair. The cross-ball joint structure is rotated by a rotary motor, which further drives the joint unit to swing left and right, so as to flexibly move out of the manhole of the storage tank.

[0039] The first and last units are also frame structures with mounting holes on their outer surfaces for installing the arc-shaped support units. The connecting devices on the first and last units have guide grooves, allowing arc-shaped support units of different diameters to be fixed in the guide grooves and slide circumferentially. The arc-shaped grooves are divided into two parts, with a wedge-shaped block clamping them in the middle. The tail unit frame contains a telescopic electric cylinder and a joint motor for joint extension, retraction, and lateral swinging.

[0040] The first and last joints are connected by a self-locking unit for the circular self-locking of the annular inner support mechanism. The self-locking unit comprises two symmetrically arranged linkage mechanisms, deployed near the mating surfaces of the first and last units, respectively. The linkage mechanism is similar to a double rocker arm, a hybrid mechanism. Specifically, one part is a double-link configuration connected via a rotary joint. The rotation of the first link is driven by an adjacent electric cylinder. One end of the electric cylinder is connected to the fixed frame via a rotary joint, while the other end shares a rotation axis with the rotary joint in the middle of the double links, thus converting the linear motion of the electric cylinder into the rotation of the first link. By rationally arranging the relative positions of the electric cylinder and the link, the space constraints caused by directly using a high-power motor to drive the link are avoided. The end of the second link has a free slider connected via a rotary joint, allowing the slider to float freely within a certain range around this axis. The sliders on both sides gradually approach each other through precise engagement via a concave-convex structure, thus forming a complete slider. After engagement, the two symmetrical linkages will form an integral linkage mechanism. At the same time, the axes of the two linkages are collinear, achieving a dead-point configuration, which can provide stronger support by utilizing structural strength.

[0041] The arc-shaped support unit can be of different diameters, depending on the diameter of the tank being welded; the arc dimensions of the head and tail self-locking units are also selected according to the diameter of the tank.

[0042] In one specific embodiment of the present invention, such as Figure 1 As shown, the first unit 2, the last unit 3, and several joint units 1 are connected in series to form a ring shape to support the tank section. The first unit 2 and the last unit 3 are connected by a self-locking unit 4; along the clockwise direction, the last unit 3 is connected to the first joint unit 1, the joint units 1 are connected to each other, and the last joint unit 1 is connected to the first unit 2 by joint connecting units 5.

[0043] like Figure 2 As shown, the main frame 101 of the joint unit 1 has an opening on its side, and an arc-shaped support unit 103 is disposed at the opening. The arc-shaped support unit 103 is connected to the main frame 101 via a connecting device 102. The connecting device 102 is provided with a guide groove, through which the arc-shaped support unit 103 can move in the circumferential direction of the ring. A wedge block 104 is used to support the arc-shaped support unit 103. In this embodiment, the arc-shaped support unit 103 can be replaced according to the diameter of the storage tank.

[0044] The main frame 101 of joint unit 1 houses an ejector cylinder 105, a translational support rail 106, a structural support plate 107, and a rotary motor 108. The ejector cylinder 105 is fixed to the main frame 101, and its output end is connected to the structural support plate 107, allowing the ejector cylinder 105 to move the structural support plate 107. One side of the structural support plate 107 has the translational support rail 106, which provides a limit for the structural support plate 107 during movement. The other side of the structural support plate 107 is connected to a joint connection unit 5, which connects to the next joint unit 1 or the first unit 2. The rotary motor 108 is mounted on the structural support plate 107, enabling it to move with the structural support plate 107. The output end of the rotary motor 108 is a first bevel gear 109, used to engage with the joint connection unit 5. By pushing out the electric cylinder 105, the next joint unit 1 or the first unit 2 can be translated and pushed out, realizing the unringing of the entire annular inner support mechanism, and preparing for the next joint unit 1 or the first unit 2 to swing; the rotary motor 108 drives the joint connecting unit 5 to swing left and right.

[0045] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, the first unit 2 and the tail unit 3 have the same main frame, connecting device, arc-shaped support unit and wedge block as the joint unit 1. The difference is that the first unit 2 has no internal driving structure and the tail unit 3 is not connected to the joint connecting unit 5.

[0046] like Figure 3 As shown, the self-locking unit 4 connects the first unit 2 and the tail unit 3, and is used for the ring-forming self-locking of the entire annular inner support mechanism. The self-locking unit 4 consists of a self-locking support block 401, a support rod 402, and a self-locking electric cylinder 403. There are two sets of self-locking support blocks 401, support rods 402, and self-locking electric cylinders 403, which are symmetrically distributed. One side of the two self-locking support blocks 401 mates with each other, and the other side mates with one end of the arc-shaped support unit 103 respectively; one end of the support rod 402 is connected to the self-locking support block 401, and the other end is connected to the main frame 101; one end of the self-locking electric cylinder 403 is connected to the support rod 402, and the other end is connected to the wedge block 104. To prevent positional deviation, the two self-locking support blocks 401 are fitted with a convex-concave spherical joint. In the self-locking state of the annular inner support mechanism, the dead point of the support rod 402 itself ensures the force on the self-locking support block 401 during the welding of the tank circumferential seam; when the annular inner support mechanism needs to be unlocked, the self-locking electric cylinder 403 pulls the support rod 402 to destroy the dead point structure until the self-locking support block 401 is retracted into the main frame of the first and last units 3.

[0047] like Figure 4 As shown, the joint connection unit 5 consists of a cross ball joint 501, a cross ball joint support arm 502, a large gear 503, a small gear 504, a second bevel gear 505, a cross ball joint connecting arm 506, a cross ball joint connecting plate 507, and a gear shaft 508. The cross ball joint support arm 502 is connected to the structural support plate 107, and the gear shaft 508 is vertically connected to the cross ball joint support arm 502. The second bevel gear 505 and the small gear 504 are mounted on the gear shaft 508, and the second bevel gear 505 meshes with the first bevel gear 109. The cross ball joint 501 is rotatably connected to the cross ball joint support arm 502, and the large gear 503 is connected to the cross ball joint 501, meshing with the small gear 504. The cross ball joint connecting arm 506 is connected to the cross ball joint 501, and the cross ball joint connecting plate 507 is connected to the cross ball joint connecting arm 506. The cross ball joint connecting plate 507 is connected to both the first unit 2 and the joint unit 1. The joint connection unit 5 acts as a connector to transmit force and direction. When the rotary motor 108 rotates, it drives the second bevel gear 505 to change the direction of motion. Through the gear shaft 508, it drives the small gear 504 to rotate. The small gear 504 drives the large gear 503 to rotate. Furthermore, through the cross ball joint 501, the cross ball joint connecting arm 506, and the cross ball joint connecting plate 507, it drives the next joint unit 1 or the first unit 2 to swing left and right, ultimately realizing the drilling action of the annular inner support mechanism.

[0048] The pushing action of the electric cylinder 105 and the rotation action of the rotary motor 108 are used to realize the pushing and lateral swinging of the joint unit 1, and the forward and backward states are as follows. Figure 5 As shown.

[0049] In this embodiment, before the circumferential seam welding of the storage tank, all joint units are arranged in a circle. The arc-shaped support units are mutually supported and tightly attached to the inner wall of the storage tank by wedge blocks. Then, the arc-shaped support units are completed into a circle by the head and tail self-locking units. The force of the push-out electric cylinder inside the joint unit ensures the rigid force between the joint units. Finally, the reverse support controls the radial deformation of the storage tank during the friction stir welding of the circumferential seam. After welding, the head and tail self-locking units of the circumferential inner support mechanism are retracted by the internal self-locking electric cylinder, disconnecting the connection and unlocking the circumferential inner support mechanism. Each joint unit extends forward by the push-out electric cylinder, and then the rotary motor inside the joint unit drives the cross ball joint to swing the joint unit left and right to adjust its posture and move towards the manhole in the center of the storage tank. The subsequent joint unit actions are output sequentially until the first joint drills out from the manhole in the center of the storage tank, and the state is as follows. Figure 6 As shown.

[0050] In this example, the extension and retraction of the joint unit is powered by an internal electric cylinder. The forces acting on the cross-spherical joint and the next joint unit are applied to the structural support plate within the joint unit. The structural support plate slides using either a support guide rail pair P or a structural cylinder pair C. The vertical degrees of freedom of the cross-spherical joint are released without constraint. The relative positions of the first and last self-locking units are fixed using a convex-concave structure. Radial forces are applied using structural dead points. Unlocking is achieved by the internal self-locking electric cylinder disrupting the direction of force.

[0051] The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail above. It should be understood that those skilled in the art can make numerous modifications and variations based on the concept of the present invention without creative effort. Therefore, all technical solutions that can be obtained by those skilled in the art based on the concept of the present invention through logical analysis, reasoning, or limited experimentation on the basis of existing technology should be within the scope of protection defined by the claims.

Claims

1. A variable-size annular inner support mechanism for welding seams in storage tank sections, characterized in that, include: The first unit has a joint connecting unit at one end and a self-locking unit at the other end. The tail unit has a drive mechanism at one end and a self-locking unit at the other end. The drive mechanism includes a structural support plate, an ejection cylinder, a translation support rail, and a rotary motor. The translation support rail is located on the structural support plate and provides movement limits for the structural support plate. The output end of the ejection cylinder is connected to the structural support plate, and the ejection cylinder pushes the structural support plate to move. The rotary motor is fixed on the structural support plate, and the output end of the rotary motor is connected to a first bevel gear. At least two joint units are provided, with a drive mechanism at one end of each joint unit and a joint connecting unit at the other end; each joint unit includes a main frame, a connecting device, an arc-shaped support unit, the drive mechanism, and a wedge block. The connecting device is arranged along the circumferential direction of the main frame, the arc-shaped support unit is disposed on the connecting device, the drive mechanism is disposed inside the main frame, the arc-shaped support unit is used to support the cylindrical section, and the wedge block supports the arc-shaped support unit. The self-locking unit has its two ends connected to the first unit and the tail unit respectively, and it has a self-locking state and an unlocking state. A joint connection unit is provided, which is connected to the first unit or one of the joint units respectively; the joint connection unit includes a cross ball joint, a cross ball joint support arm, a gear shaft, a second bevel gear, a pinion gear, a large gear, a cross ball joint connecting arm, and a cross ball joint connecting plate. The cross ball joint support arm is fixed to the structural support plate. The gear shaft is perpendicularly connected to the cross ball joint support arm. The second bevel gear and the pinion gear are disposed on the gear shaft. The second bevel gear meshes with the first bevel gear. The cross ball joint is rotatably connected to the cross ball joint support arm. The large gear... The wheel is connected to the cross-shaped ball joint, the large gear meshes with the small gear, one end of the cross-shaped ball joint connecting arm is connected to the cross-shaped ball joint, and the cross-shaped ball joint connecting plate is connected to the other end of the cross-shaped ball joint connecting arm; when the annular inner support mechanism is in the supported state, the first unit, the tail unit, and the at least two joint units are arranged in a ring, the self-locking unit is in a self-locking state, and the drive mechanism of the tail unit and the drive mechanism of the joint unit are respectively connected to the adjacent joint connecting units along the same circumferential direction; the annular outer side of the annular inner support mechanism is used to support the cylindrical section; When the annular inner support mechanism is in the retracted state, the self-locking unit is in the unlocked state; The drive mechanism is capable of pushing and rotating the joint connection unit.

2. The variable-size annular inner support mechanism for welding the tank section weld as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The first and last units include a main frame, a connecting device, and an arc-shaped support unit. The connecting device is arranged along the circumferential direction of the main frame, and the arc-shaped support unit is arranged on the connecting device. The arc-shaped support unit is used to support the cylindrical section.

3. The variable-size annular inner support mechanism for welding the tank section weld as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The connecting device is provided with a guide groove, and the arc-shaped support unit is connected to the connecting device through the guide groove. The arc-shaped support unit can move along the guide groove.

4. The variable-size annular inner support mechanism for welding the tank section weld as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The self-locking unit includes a self-locking support block, a support rod, and a self-locking electric cylinder. There are two sets of each of the self-locking support block, support rod, and self-locking electric cylinder, which are symmetrically distributed. Two self-locking support blocks cooperate with each other. One end of the support rod is rotatably connected to the self-locking support block, and the other end of the support rod is rotatably connected to one of the main frame components. One end of the self-locking electric cylinder is rotatably connected to the support rod, and the other end of the self-locking electric cylinder is connected to one of the wedge blocks.

5. The variable-size annular inner support mechanism for welding the tank section weld as described in claim 4, characterized in that, The two self-locking support blocks are fitted with concave and convex spheres.

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