Pipe outer surface strengthening device and method

Abstract

The invention relates to the technical field of material processing, in particular to a pipe outer surface strengthening device and method.The pipe outer surface strengthening device comprises a machine tool body, two gear boxes arranged on the machine tool body, a vertical rolling strengthening cutter, a horizontal rolling strengthening cutter, a motor for providing power and a pipe supporting device, and the vertical rolling strengthening cutter and the horizontal rolling strengthening cutter are installed in the middle of the machine tool body. The pipe enters the working range of the strengthening cutter through the supporting device, the high-speed rotating cutter conducts rolling impact strengthening on the pipe in the horizontal direction and the vertical direction, and the whole surface area of the pipe is strengthened along with horizontal movement of the pipe. The device is reliable in structure and good in use performance, reliable strengthening of the metal pipe is effectively achieved, through matched arrangement of the supporting mechanism and the rotating mechanism, severe plastic deformation is conducted on the surface of the metal pipe, surface grain refinement is achieved, a gradient structure is generated on the surface of the pipe, and the strengthening effect of the surface of the metal pipe is improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to the technical field of material processing, and in particular to a device and method for strengthening the outer surface of a pipe. Background Art

[0002] Metal pipes are important parts of industrial equipment that transport gases and liquids. However, in some applications, the strength and toughness of metal pipes often fail to meet the requirements, and the surface of the pipes is impacted by solid and liquid media, causing various defects such as wear, corrosion and fatigue on the surface of the pipes, which makes the pipes fail and reduces the service life of the metal pipes. Improving the strength, toughness, and service performance of metal pipes has always been a hot topic for researchers.

[0003] At present, the methods that can be used to strengthen the pipe surface include surface spraying, surface deposition, self-surface refinement, etc. Since there is no obvious boundary in self-surface refinement and it is not easy to peel off, it has more application prospects. The methods of achieving self-surface refinement can all be attributed to the method of severe plastic deformation. Specifically, they include surface mechanical grinding, shot peening, high-pressure torsion, equal channel extrusion, surface mechanical grinding and surface mechanical rolling, but the equipment of these technologies is usually complex in structure, with low strengthening efficiency, high cost, and strict requirements on the shape of the strengthened pipe, which cannot meet the actual needs of strengthening the outer surface of the pipe. Summary of the invention

[0004] In order to solve the problems that the equipment in the above-mentioned prior art is usually complex in structure, low in strengthening efficiency, high in cost, has strict requirements on the shape of the strengthened pipe, and cannot meet the actual needs of strengthening the outer surface of the pipe, the present invention provides a metal pipe surface strengthening device and method.

[0005] A device for strengthening the outer surface of a pipe comprises: a bed; two spindle motors, respectively arranged on both sides of the bed; two gear boxes, respectively connected to the two spindle motors, for transmitting the power of the spindle motors to the spindles; four spindles, respectively connected to the spindle motors through the gear boxes, wherein two of the spindles are vertically installed on the upper part of the bed, and the other two spindles are horizontally installed on the lower part of the bed; twelve strengthening tools, the strengthening tools comprising a tool shaft and a tool body sleeved on the tool shaft, the tool body being rotatably connected to the tool shaft through a needle bearing, three strengthening tools being evenly installed on each spindle, and each strengthening tool being in an arc shape; a supporting mechanism, comprising a feed motor and two arc-shaped support shafts, arranged in the middle of the bed, for clamping the pipe and controlling the feed speed of the pipe.

[0006] Optionally, the arc radius of the strengthening tool matches the outer radius of the tube to be strengthened.

[0007] Optionally, the spindle is equipped with a mounting turntable, which is an "I" type, and has three openings evenly distributed on the upper and lower end discs of the mounting turntable for mounting the tool shaft, and a threaded hole is provided at the bottom of the opening for fixing the tool shaft.

[0008] Optionally, the gear box transmits the mechanical energy provided by the spindle motor to each spindle equivalently, so as to realize the functions of simultaneous starting, running at the same speed and in opposite directions.

[0009] Optionally, the support shaft of the support mechanism is arc-shaped and matches the outer radius of the pipe to be strengthened, and the support shaft and the pipe interact with each other through friction.

[0010] Optionally, the spindle motor and the feed motor are variable frequency motors for controlling the rotation speed within a certain range.

[0011] Optionally, a control system is provided on the bed for automatically adjusting the rotation speed and feed speed of the spindle motor and the feed motor according to the size, material and process requirements of the pipe, so as to achieve optimization of the surface strengthening of the pipe.

[0012] A method for strengthening the outer surface of a pipe comprises the following steps:

[0013] S1: Select appropriate strengthening tools and support shafts according to the size and material of the pipe to be strengthened, and install them;

[0014] S2: Clamp the pipe to be strengthened on the support mechanism and adjust the feed speed;

[0015] S3: Start the two spindle motors to make the two pairs of spindles and the reinforced tool rotate at high speed;

[0016] S4: Start the feeding motor to feed the pipe at a uniform speed. When the pipe enters the strengthening area, the high-speed rotating strengthening tool rolls the outer surface of the pipe to achieve large plastic deformation and surface refinement.

[0017] Optionally, in step S3, the rotation speed of the spindle is set according to the material of the pipe and process requirements.

[0018] Optionally, in step S4, the feeding speed of the pipe is set according to the size of the pipe and process requirements.

[0019] The beneficial effects of the present invention are as follows:

[0020] 1. The strengthening tool of the present invention adopts an arc shape, which is adapted to the outer circular shape of the pipe, so that during the rolling process, a certain contact angle is formed between the strengthening tool and the surface of the pipe, thereby improving the rolling efficiency and quality.

[0021] 2. The spindle of the present invention is equipped with an installation turntable, which is an "I"-shaped installation turntable. Three openings are evenly distributed on the upper and lower end disks of the installation turntable for installing the tool shaft, so that the strengthening tools can be evenly distributed on the outer circumference of the pipe to achieve all-round strengthening.

[0022] 3. The gearbox of the present invention transmits the mechanical energy provided by the spindle motor to each spindle equivalently, so as to realize the functions of simultaneous starting, running at the same speed and in opposite directions, so that the reinforced tool can produce impact and friction on the surface of the pipe, realizing large plastic deformation and surface refinement.

[0023] 4. The support shaft of the support mechanism of the present invention is arc-shaped and matches the outer radius of the pipe to be strengthened. The support shaft and the pipe interact with each other through friction, so that the pipe can be fed stably without sliding or deflecting during the rolling process.

[0024] 5. The motor of the present invention is a variable frequency motor, which is used to control the rotation speed within a certain range, so that the strengthening tool can be adaptively adjusted according to different pipe materials and process requirements.

[0025] 6. The bed of the present invention is provided with a control system for automatically adjusting the rotation speed and feed speed of the spindle motor and the feed motor according to the size, material and process requirements of the pipe, so as to achieve optimization of the surface strengthening of the pipe. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0026] The drawings constituting a part of the present application are used to provide a further understanding of the present invention. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention and their descriptions are used to explain the present invention and do not constitute an improper limitation of the present invention. In the drawings:

[0027] Figure 1 It is a schematic structural diagram of an embodiment of a pipe outer surface strengthening device of the present invention.

[0028] Figure 2 The figure is a schematic diagram of the internal structure of an embodiment of a device for strengthening the outer surface of a pipe according to the present invention.

[0029] Figure 3 It is a schematic diagram of the back structure of an embodiment of a tube outer surface strengthening device of the present invention.

[0030] Figure 4 The figure is a schematic diagram of the assembly of a tool and a spindle of an embodiment of a tube outer surface strengthening device of the present invention.

[0031] Figure 5 This is a perspective view of the assembly of a tool and a spindle of an embodiment of a tube outer surface strengthening device of the present invention.

[0032] Figure 6The figure is a schematic diagram of the tool structure of an embodiment of a tube outer surface strengthening device of the present invention.

[0033] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of an integral needle roller bearing according to an embodiment of a tube outer surface strengthening device of the present invention.

[0034] Figure 8 This is a method step diagram of an embodiment of a method for strengthening the outer surface of a pipe according to the present invention.

[0035] Among them: 1-spindle motor, 2-gear box, 3-bed, 4-mounting turntable, 5-support mechanism, 6-spindle, 7-reinforced tool, 8-needle bearing, 9-feed motor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and in combination with embodiments. It should be noted that the embodiments and features in the embodiments of the present application can be combined with each other without conflict.

[0037] The following detailed description is an exemplary description, which is intended to provide further detailed description of the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, all technical terms used in the present invention have the same meaning as those generally understood by those skilled in the art to which the present application belongs. The terms used in the present invention are only for describing specific embodiments, and are not intended to limit exemplary embodiments according to the present invention.

[0038] like Figures 1 to 3 As shown, a tube outer surface strengthening device includes a bed 3, two spindle motors 1, two gear boxes 2, four spindles 6, twelve strengthening tools 7 and a supporting mechanism 5.

[0039] A device for strengthening the outer surface of a pipe comprises: a bed 3, two spindle motors 1, two gear boxes 2, twelve strengthening tools 7 and a supporting mechanism 5, wherein the two spindle motors 1 are respectively arranged on both sides of the bed 3; the two gear boxes 2 are respectively connected to the two spindle motors 1, and are used to transmit the power of the spindle motors 1 to the spindle 6; the four spindles 6 are respectively connected to the spindle motors 1 through the gear boxes 2, wherein two spindles 6 are vertically installed on the upper part of the bed 3, and the other two spindles 6 are horizontally installed on the lower part of the bed 3; twelve strengthening tools 7, wherein the strengthening tools comprise a tool shaft and a tool body sleeved on the tool shaft, the tool body is rotatably connected to the tool shaft through a needle bearing 8, three strengthening tools 7 are evenly installed on each spindle 6, and each strengthening tool 7 is in an arc shape; the supporting mechanism 5 comprises a feed motor 9 and two arc-shaped support shafts, which are arranged in the middle of the bed 3, and are used to clamp the pipe and control the feeding speed of the pipe.

[0040] Specifically, the two spindle motors 1 can be respectively arranged on both sides of the bed 3, such as Figure 1 As shown, one spindle motor 1 can be arranged on the upper part of the bed 3, and another spindle motor 1 can be arranged on the lower part of the bed 3 to provide power. The present invention can select different models and parameters of the spindle motor 1 according to different pipe materials and process requirements to realize the control of the rotation speed of the spindle 6 and the reinforced tool 7. For example, for pipes with larger diameters, thicker walls, and harder materials, a spindle motor 1 with larger power and higher rotation speed can be selected to increase the rolling force and depth; conversely, for pipes with smaller diameters, thinner walls, and softer materials, a spindle motor 1 with smaller power and lower rotation speed can be selected to reduce the rolling force and depth. The present invention can also select different control methods of the spindle motor 1 according to different process requirements to realize different steering methods. For example, for pipes that need to improve surface hardness or wear resistance, the two pairs of main shafts 6 and reinforced tools 7 can be rotated in opposite directions to increase the rolling impact force and friction; for pipes that need to improve surface finish or reduce friction, the two pairs of main shafts 6 and reinforced tools 7 can be rotated in the same direction to reduce the rolling impact force and friction.

[0041] As a preferred example, a variable frequency motor can be used as the spindle motor 1 to control the rotation speed within a certain range, so that the strengthening tool 7 can be adaptively adjusted according to different pipe materials and process requirements.

[0042] As a preferred example, the gear box 2 transmits the mechanical energy provided by the spindle motor 1 to each spindle 6 equivalently, so as to realize the functions of simultaneous starting, running at the same speed and in opposite directions.

[0043] Specifically, the two gear boxes 2 are respectively connected to the two spindle motors 1, and are used to transmit the power of the spindle motors 1 to the spindle 6. The present invention can select different models and parameters of the gear boxes 2 according to different pipe sizes and process requirements to achieve control of the rotation speed and steering of the spindle 6 and the reinforced tool 7. For example, for pipes with larger diameters, thicker walls, and harder materials, a gear box 2 with a larger transmission ratio and a larger torque can be selected to increase the rolling force and depth; conversely, for pipes with smaller diameters, thinner walls, and softer materials, a gear box 2 with a smaller transmission ratio and a smaller torque can be selected to reduce the rolling force and depth. The present invention can also select different structures and configurations of the gear box 2 according to different process requirements to achieve different steering methods. For example, for pipes that need to improve surface hardness or wear resistance, the output ends of the two gear boxes 2 can be connected in opposite directions to the input ends, and the input ends of the two gear boxes 2 can be connected in the same direction to the corresponding spindle motor 1; for pipes that need to improve surface finish or reduce friction, the output ends of the two gear boxes 2 can be connected in the same direction to the input ends, and the input ends of the two gear boxes 2 can be connected in opposite directions to the corresponding spindle motor 1. The present invention preferably uses a parallel axis gear box 2 as the gear box 2 to achieve the functions of simultaneous start-up, same speed operation and opposite directions, so that the strengthening tool 7 can produce impact and friction on the surface of the pipe, achieving large plastic deformation and surface refinement.

[0044] like Figure 1 and Figure 3 As shown, four spindles 6 are connected to the spindle motor 1 through two gear boxes 2, two of which are vertically installed on the upper part of the bed 3 through the first gear box 2, and the other two spindles 6 are horizontally installed on the lower part of the bed 3 through the second gear box 2. The present invention can select different models and parameters of the spindle 6 according to different pipe sizes and process requirements to achieve the control of the rotation speed and steering of the strengthening tool 7. For example, for pipes with larger diameters, thicker walls, and harder materials, a spindle 6 with larger diameters, longer lengths, and higher rigidity can be selected to increase the rolling force and depth; conversely, for pipes with smaller diameters, thinner walls, and softer materials, a spindle 6 with smaller diameters, shorter lengths, and lower rigidity can be selected to reduce the rolling force and depth. The present invention can also select different structures and configurations of the spindle 6 according to different process requirements to achieve different rolling effects. For example, for pipes that need to improve surface uniformity or flatness, the four main shafts 6 can be selected to be distributed on the outer circumference of the pipe at equal distances, and three strengthening tools 7 can be installed on each main shaft 6; for pipes that need to improve surface gradient structure or special shape, the four main shafts 6 can be selected to be distributed on the outer circumference of the pipe at unequal distances, and different numbers or shapes of strengthening tools 7 can be installed on each main shaft 6.

[0045] like Figures 4 to 7 As shown, as a preferred example, the main shaft 6 is equipped with a mounting turntable 4, and the mounting turntable 4 is an "I" type. Three openings are evenly distributed on the upper and lower end disks of the mounting turntable 4 for mounting the tool shaft. A threaded hole is provided at the bottom of the opening for fixing the tool shaft. Specifically, the first and second ends of the tool shaft have bolt mounting holes, and the two ends of the tool shaft are fixed to the upper and lower end faces of the mounting turntable 4 by bolts, so that the strengthening tools 7 can be evenly distributed on the outer circumference of the pipe to achieve all-round strengthening.

[0046] like Figures 4 to 6 As shown, three strengthening tools 7 are evenly installed on each spindle 6, and each strengthening tool 7 is in the shape of an arc. The present invention can select different models and parameters of strengthening tools 7 according to different pipe sizes and process requirements to achieve effective rolling of the pipe surface. For pipes with smaller diameters, thinner wall thicknesses, and softer materials, strengthening tools 7 with larger radius and lower hardness can be selected to reduce the rolling force and depth. The present invention can also select strengthening tools 7 of different shapes and structures according to different process requirements to achieve different rolling effects. For example, for pipes that need to improve the surface roughness, strengthening tools 7 with protrusions or depressions can be selected to form a microscopic concave-convex structure on the surface of the pipe during the rolling process; for pipes that need to improve the surface finish, strengthening tools 7 with smoothing or polishing can be selected to remove the oxide layer or impurities on the surface of the pipe during the rolling process.

[0047] As a preferred example, the arc radius of the strengthening tool 7 matches the outer radius of the tube to be strengthened. The arc-shaped strengthening tool 7 is adapted to the outer shape of the tube. Specifically, the arc radius of the strengthening tool 7 is larger than the outer radius of the tube to be strengthened, so that during the rolling process, a certain contact angle is formed between the strengthening tool 7 and the surface of the tube, thereby improving the rolling efficiency and quality.

[0048] like Figure 2 and Figure 3As shown, the support mechanism 5 includes a feed motor 9 and two arc-shaped support shafts, which are arranged in the middle of the bed 3 and are used to clamp the pipe and control the pipe feeding speed. The support shaft of the support mechanism 5 is arc-shaped and matches the outer radius of the pipe to be strengthened, and the support shaft and the pipe interact with each other through friction. The present invention can select different models and parameters of the feed motor 9 according to different pipe sizes and process requirements to achieve control of the pipe feeding speed. For example, for pipes with larger diameters, thicker walls, and harder materials, a feed motor 9 with lower speed and larger torque can be selected to reduce the feeding speed; conversely, for pipes with smaller diameters, thinner walls, and softer materials, a feed motor 9 with higher speed and smaller torque can be selected to increase the feeding speed. The present invention can also select different feeding methods according to different process requirements to achieve different rolling effects. For example, for pipes that need to improve surface uniformity or flatness, a uniform feeding method can be selected to ensure that each area is subjected to the same rolling force and time; for pipes that need to improve surface gradient structure or special shape, a variable speed feeding method can be selected to achieve different rolling forces and times for different areas.

[0049] As a preferred example, the present invention uses a variable frequency motor as the feed motor 9 to control the rotation speed within a certain range, so that the support shaft can be adaptively adjusted according to different pipe sizes and process requirements.

[0050] As a preferred example, a control system is provided on the bed 3 for automatically adjusting the rotation speed and feed speed of the spindle motor 1 and the feed motor 9 according to the size, material and process requirements of the pipe, so as to achieve optimization of the pipe surface strengthening.

[0051] like Figure 8 As shown, a method for strengthening the outer surface of a pipe comprises the following steps:

[0052] S1: Select a suitable strengthening tool 7 and a supporting shaft according to the size and material of the pipe to be strengthened, and install them;

[0053] S2: Clamp the pipe to be strengthened on the support mechanism 5 and adjust the feed speed;

[0054] S3: Start the two spindle motors 1 to make the two pairs of spindles 6 and the reinforced tool 7 rotate at high speed;

[0055] S4: Start the feeding motor 9 to feed the pipe at a uniform speed. When the pipe enters the strengthening area, the high-speed rotating strengthening tool 7 rolls the outer surface of the pipe to achieve large plastic deformation and surface refinement.

[0056] The present invention can select suitable strengthening tools 7 and support shafts in step S1 and install them according to different pipe sizes, materials and process requirements; adjust the feed speed in step S2; set the spindle 6 speed in step S3; and control the feed mode in step S4 to optimize the surface strengthening of the pipe. The present invention can also roll the pipe multiple times or in multiple directions in step S4 according to different process requirements to achieve rolling effects in different areas or directions. For example, for pipes that need to improve the surface gradient structure or special shape, you can choose to roll the pipe multiple times in step S4, and change the feed speed or spindle 6 speed each time you roll; or roll the pipe in multiple directions in step S4, and change the feed direction of the pipe or the steering mode of the spindle 6 each time you roll, to achieve rolling effects in different areas or directions. For example, for pipes that need to improve the surface gradient structure or special shape, you can choose to roll the pipe multiple times in step S4, and change the feed speed or the rotation speed of the spindle 6 each time you roll it; or roll the pipe in multiple directions in step S4, and change the feed direction of the pipe or the steering mode of the spindle 6 each time you roll it.

[0057] The present invention provides a device and method for strengthening the outer surface of a pipe, by using a circular arc strengthening tool 7, an "I" type fixed axis, a parallel axis gearbox 2, an arc-shaped support axis and a variable frequency motor and other structures and configurations, to achieve efficient, uniform and all-round rolling strengthening of the outer surface of the pipe, thereby improving the strength, toughness and surface properties of the pipe, reducing the structural complexity of the equipment, low strengthening efficiency, high cost and other problems, and meeting the actual needs of strengthening the outer surface of the pipe. The present invention can also optimize the strengthening of the pipe surface by adjusting the rotation speed, feeding mode and steering mode of the spindle motor 1 and the feed motor 9 according to different pipe sizes, materials and process requirements. The present invention has the advantages of simple structure, convenient operation, significant effect, strong adaptability and the like, and has a wide range of application prospects.

[0058] It is known from common technical knowledge that the present invention can be implemented by other embodiments that do not deviate from its spirit or essential features. Therefore, the above disclosed embodiments are only illustrative in all respects and are not exclusive. All changes within the scope of the present invention or within the scope equivalent to the present invention are included in the present invention.

Claims

1. A pipe outer surface strengthening device, characterized in that: include: Bed (3); Two spindle motors (1) are respectively arranged on two sides of the bed (3); Two gear boxes (2), respectively connected to the two spindle motors (1), and used for transmitting the power of the spindle motors (1) to the spindle (6); The four spindles (6) are connected to the spindle motor (1) through the gear box (2), two of the spindles (6) are vertically installed on the upper part of the bed (3), and the other two spindles (6) are horizontally installed on the lower part of the bed (3); Twelve reinforced cutters (7), each reinforced cutter comprising a cutter shaft and a cutter body sleeved on the cutter shaft, the cutter body being rotatably connected to the cutter shaft via a needle bearing (8), three reinforced cutters (7) being evenly mounted on each spindle (6), and each reinforced cutter (7) being in an arc shape; The support mechanism (5) comprises a feeding motor (9) and two arc-shaped supporting shafts, and is arranged in the middle of the bed (3) and is used for clamping the pipe and controlling the feeding speed of the pipe.

2. The pipe outer surface strengthening device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The arc radius of the strengthening tool (7) matches the outer circle radius of the pipe to be strengthened.

3. The pipe outer surface strengthening device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that: The spindle (6) is equipped with a mounting turntable (4), the mounting turntable (4) is an "I" type, and three openings are evenly distributed on the upper and lower end disks of the mounting turntable (4) for mounting the tool shaft, and the bottom of the opening is provided with a threaded hole for fixing the tool shaft.

4. The pipe outer surface strengthening device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The gear box (2) transmits the mechanical energy provided by the spindle motor (1) to each spindle (6) in an equivalent manner, so as to realize the functions of simultaneous starting, running at the same speed and in opposite directions.

5. The pipe outer surface strengthening device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The support shaft of the support mechanism (5) is arc-shaped and matches the outer radius of the pipe to be strengthened, and the support shaft and the pipe interact with each other through friction.

6. The pipe outer surface strengthening device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The spindle motor (1) and the feed motor (9) are variable frequency motors used to control the rotation speed.

7. The pipe outer surface strengthening device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The bed (3) is provided with a control system for automatically adjusting the rotation speed and feed speed of the spindle motor (1) and the motor of the support mechanism (5) according to the size, material and process requirements of the pipe.

8. A method for strengthening the outer surface of a pipe using the pipe outer surface strengthening device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: The following steps are involved: S1: Select a suitable strengthening tool (7) and a supporting shaft according to the size and material of the pipe to be strengthened, and install them; S2: Clamp the pipe to be strengthened onto the support mechanism (5) and adjust the feed speed; S3: starting the two spindle motors (1) to make the two pairs of spindles (6) and the reinforced tool (7) rotate at high speed; S4: Start the feeding motor (9) to feed the pipe at a uniform speed. When the pipe enters the strengthening area, the high-speed rotating strengthening tool (7) rolls the outer surface of the pipe to achieve large plastic deformation and surface refinement.

9. The method for strengthening the outer surface of a pipe according to claim 8, characterized in that: In step S3, the rotation speed of the main shaft (6) is set according to the material of the pipe and the process requirements.

10. The method for strengthening the outer surface of a pipe according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that: In step S4, the feeding speed of the pipe is set according to the size of the pipe and the process requirements.

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