Pipeline external aligning device and pipeline butt joint method

Abstract

The invention discloses a pipeline external aligning device and a pipeline butt joint method, and belongs to the technical field of pipelines. The pipeline external aligning device comprises a hoop assembly, a support assembly, an aligning assembly, an air pressure power assembly and a controller. The hoop assembly is used for holding a pipeline to be aligned; the multiple support assemblies, the multiple aligning assemblies and the multiple pneumatic power assemblies are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence mode in the circumferential direction, the support assemblies are fixedly connected to the hoop assembly, the aligning assemblies and the pneumatic power assemblies are hinged to the support assemblies, and the aligning assemblies and the pneumatic power assemblies are arranged in a linkage mode through the support assemblies; the controller is electrically connected to the air pressure power assembly and used for controlling the air pressure power assembly to conduct pneumatic operation, and then the air pressure power assembly drives the aligning assembly to abut against or be away from the outer wall of the pipeline to be aligned. The device not only can be used for automatically aligning the pipeline, but also can enable the aligning assembly to be far away from the outer wall of the pipeline so as to avoid an automatic pipeline welding machine, so that the problem that the small-caliber pipeline is welded and assembled by adopting the automatic welding machine is solved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of pipeline technology, and in particular to a pipeline external fitting device and pipeline connection method. Background Technology

[0002] For pipelines used for oil and gas transportation, welding two sections of pipeline requires aligning them to ensure their axes coincide. For pipelines with larger diameters, internal alignment devices are typically used. However, for pipelines with smaller diameters, such as those less than D323mm, or in situations where terrain limitations prevent the use of internal alignment devices, external alignment devices are usually employed.

[0003] In related technologies, the pipe external alignment device is in the shape of a clamp, and the side wall of the clamp has an adjusting screw. The two pipes to be aligned are manually inserted and the adjusting screw is manually turned so that the adjusting screw is pressed against the outer wall of the pipe to be aligned, so as to achieve the connection of the pipes.

[0004] However, the external pipe alignment device in the relevant technology requires manual operation throughout the entire process, resulting in low efficiency and high workload. Furthermore, because the external pipe alignment device cannot automatically avoid welding equipment, it is impossible to use automatic pipe welding machines for pipe welding. Manual argon arc welding must be used for the root pass, which prevents improvements in the welding quality and efficiency of the pipe joints. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, the present invention provides a pipe external fitting device and a pipe connection method, which can solve the technical problems existing in related technologies.

[0006] Specifically, the following technical solutions are included:

[0007] On the one hand, a pipe external alignment device is provided, which includes: a clamp assembly, a support assembly, an alignment assembly, a pneumatic power assembly, and a controller;

[0008] The clamp assembly is used to clamp the pipe to be matched;

[0009] The bracket assembly, the mating assembly, and the pneumatic power assembly are all configured in multiple and correspond one-to-one along the circumferential direction of the clamp assembly. The bracket assembly is fixedly connected to the clamp assembly, and the mating assembly and the pneumatic power assembly are both hinged to the bracket assembly. The mating assembly and the pneumatic power assembly are arranged in a coordinated manner through the bracket assembly.

[0010] The controller is electrically connected to the pneumatic power assembly, and the controller is used to control the pneumatic power assembly to perform pneumatic operations. The pneumatic power assembly then drives the mating assembly to abut against or move away from the outer wall of the pipe to be mated.

[0011] In some possible implementations, the clamp assembly includes a first semi-circular arc frame, a second semi-circular arc frame, multiple arc plates, and multiple flexible plates arranged symmetrically.

[0012] The first semi-circular arc frame and the second semi-circular arc frame are hinged at one end and fixedly connected at the other end by a fastener;

[0013] The plurality of arc-shaped plates are respectively arranged on the inner sidewalls of the first semi-circular arc frame and the second semi-circular arc frame, and together form a complete annular clamp.

[0014] The multiple flexible plates are respectively arranged on the inner sidewalls of the multiple arc-shaped plates.

[0015] In some possible implementations, the fastener includes: an opening and closing screw, a fixing pin, and a fixing nut;

[0016] One end of the opening and closing screw is fixedly connected to one of the first semi-circular arc frame and the second semi-circular arc frame via the fixed pin, and the other end of the opening and closing screw passes through the baffle provided in the other of the first semi-circular arc frame and the second semi-circular arc frame;

[0017] The fixing nut is threadedly connected to the opening and closing screw to achieve a fixed connection between the first semi-circular arc frame and the second semi-circular arc frame.

[0018] In some possible implementations, the support assembly includes: a base plate, the base plate being fixedly connected to the clamp assembly;

[0019] A clamping arm fixing plate and a cylinder fixing plate are fixedly connected to the same side surface of the base plate. The clamping arm fixing plate and the cylinder fixing plate are distributed sequentially along the length direction of the base plate. The clamping arm fixing plate is used to be hinged to the clamping arm of the mating assembly, and the cylinder fixing plate is used to be hinged to the cylinder of the pneumatic power assembly.

[0020] The lower end of the outer connecting rod is hinged to the clamping arm fixing plate, and the upper end of the outer connecting rod is hinged to the pneumatic power assembly.

[0021] The upper end of the inner connecting rod is hinged to the outer connecting rod, and the lower end of the inner connecting rod is hinged to the clamping arm.

[0022] In some possible implementations, the clamping arm fixing plate, the cylinder fixing plate, the outer connecting rod, and the inner connecting rod are all arranged in two symmetrical sets along the width direction of the base plate.

[0023] In some possible implementations, the mating assembly includes: a clamping arm and two mating screws;

[0024] The pipe clamping arm has a first end and a second end distributed along the length direction. The first end of the pipe clamping arm is hinged to the pipe clamping arm fixing plate. The two matching screws are respectively threaded to the second end of the pipe clamping arm and are distributed at intervals along the length direction of the pipe clamping arm to abut against the two pipes to be matched.

[0025] The lower end of the inner connecting rod is hinged to the clamping arm near its first end.

[0026] In some possible implementations, the support assembly further includes a limiting shaft disposed between two symmetrically arranged sets of clamping arm fixing plates, the limiting shaft being used to limit the clamping arm when it rotates to a non-aligning position.

[0027] In some possible implementations, the end of the matching screw that abuts against the pipe to be matched has a screw cap.

[0028] In some possible implementations, the pneumatic power assembly includes: an air source, a cylinder, and a solenoid valve;

[0029] The air source is connected to the cylinder through an air circuit. The solenoid valve is installed on the air circuit and electrically connected to the controller. The solenoid valve is used to control the opening and closing of the air circuit under the control of the control valve.

[0030] The piston rod of the cylinder is hinged to the upper end of the outer connecting rod via a hinge shaft.

[0031] On the other hand, a pipe docking method is provided, wherein the pipe docking method uses any of the pipe external docking devices described above to automatically dock two pipes to be docked.

[0032] The beneficial effects of the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of the present invention include at least the following:

[0033] The external pipe alignment device provided in this invention embodiment can automatically perform external alignment operations on pipes to be aligned. In application, a clamp assembly clamps one of the two pipes to be aligned, thereby fixing a support assembly connected to the clamp assembly. The alignment assembly and pneumatic power assembly, hinged to the support assembly, are all positioned outside the pipe to be aligned, and are spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the pipe. Under the control of the controller, the pneumatic power assembly performs pneumatic operation, driving the alignment assembly to abut against or move away from the outer wall of the pipe to be aligned. When the alignment assembly simultaneously abuts against the outer walls of both pipes, the pipes are clamped together, thus connecting the two pipes and performing the pipe alignment operation. Therefore, the external pipe alignment device provided in this invention embodiment can be installed outside the pipe. Under the control of the controller, it can not only perform pipe alignment operations but also move the alignment assembly away from the outer wall of the pipe during non-alignment operations. This not only makes the external pipe alignment device suitable for pipe alignment operations with small inner diameters, or for scenarios where internal pipe alignment devices cannot be used due to terrain limitations, but also allows the alignment components to automatically avoid welding equipment (e.g., welding carriages and welding torches) by keeping them away from the outer wall of the pipe. This enables the use of automatic pipe welding machines for pipe welding, effectively solving the problem of welding and assembling small-diameter pipes with automatic welding machines and expanding the applicability of automatic pipe welding. Attached Figure Description

[0034] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying 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.

[0035] Figure 1 An overall structural diagram of an exemplary external pipe alignment device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0036] Figure 2 A structural view along the radial direction of an exemplary external pipe fitting device provided in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0037] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the support assembly, the alignment assembly, and the pneumatic power assembly in an exemplary external pipe alignment device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0038] The reference numerals in the attached figures represent:

[0039] 100. Clamp assembly; 11. First semi-circular arc frame; 12. Second semi-circular arc frame; 13. Arc plate; 14. Flexible plate; 15. Opening and closing screw; 16. Fixing pin; 17. Fixing nut; 18. Baffle; 19. Pin fixing tube;

[0040] 200. Bracket assembly; 21. Base plate; 22. Clamping arm fixing plate; 23. Cylinder fixing plate; 24. Outer connecting rod; 25. Inner connecting rod; 26. Limiting shaft;

[0041] 300. Alignment assembly; 31. Pipe clamp arm; 32. Alignment screw; 33. Screw cap;

[0042] 400. Pneumatic power assembly; 41. Air source; 42. Cylinder; 421. Piston rod; 43. Solenoid valve;

[0043] 500, Controller.

[0044] The accompanying drawings have illustrated specific embodiments of the invention, which will be described in more detail below. These drawings and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of the invention to those skilled in the art through reference to particular embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0045] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some, not all, of the embodiments of the present invention. Based on the embodiments of the present invention, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present invention.

[0046] In the description of this invention, it should be understood that the terms "length", "width", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship are based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, and are only for the convenience of describing this invention and simplifying the description, and are not intended to indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation, and therefore should not be construed as a limitation of this invention.

[0047] In response to the technical problems of existing pipe external alignment devices requiring manual operation throughout the entire process, resulting in low efficiency and high labor intensity, and because these devices cannot automatically avoid welding equipment, automatic pipe welding machines cannot be used, necessitating manual argon arc welding for the root pass. This leads to limitations in improving the welding quality and efficiency of the pipe joints. This invention provides a novel pipe external alignment device, as detailed below.

[0048] Appendix Figure 1 An overall structural diagram of the pipe external alignment device provided in an embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, with attached... Figure 3 An example is shown: a structural view of the pipe external mating device provided in an embodiment of the present invention along the radial direction of the pipe, with appended... Figure 3 This example illustrates the assembly structure of the support assembly, the alignment assembly, and the pneumatic power assembly in the external pipe alignment device provided in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0049] As attached Figure 1 -Appendix Figure 3 As shown, the pipe alignment device provided in this embodiment of the invention includes: a clamp assembly 100, a support assembly 200, an alignment assembly 300, a pneumatic power assembly 400, and a controller 500. The clamp assembly 100 is used to clamp the pipe to be aligned. Multiple support assemblies 200, aligning assemblies 300, and pneumatic power assemblies 400 are arranged in a one-to-one correspondence along the circumferential direction of the clamp assembly 100. The support assembly 200 is fixedly connected to the clamp assembly 100. The aligning assemblies 300 and 400 are both hinged to the support assembly 200, and are linked together through the support assembly 200. The controller 500 is electrically connected to the pneumatic power assembly 400, and controls the pneumatic power assembly 400 to perform pneumatic operations, thereby driving the aligning assembly 300 to abut against or move away from the outer wall of the pipe to be aligned.

[0050] The external pipe alignment device provided in this embodiment of the invention can automatically perform external alignment operations on pipes to be aligned. In application, a clamp assembly 100 clamps one of the two pipes to be aligned, thereby fixing the support assembly 200, which is connected to the clamp assembly 100, and the alignment assembly 300 and pneumatic power assembly 400, which are hinged to the support assembly 200, to their positions outside the pipe to be aligned, and they are spaced apart along the circumferential direction of the pipe. Under the control of the controller 500, the pneumatic power assembly 400 performs pneumatic operation, thereby driving the alignment assembly 300 to abut against or move away from the outer wall of the pipe to be aligned. When the alignment assembly 300 simultaneously abuts against the outer walls of both pipes to be aligned, the pipes to be aligned are clamped together, thus connecting the two pipes and performing the pipe alignment operation.

[0051] As can be seen, the external pipe alignment device provided in this embodiment of the invention can be installed outside the pipe. Under the control of the controller 500, it can not only perform pipe alignment operations, but also keep the alignment component 300 away from the outer wall of the pipe when not performing alignment operations. This makes the external pipe alignment device suitable for alignment operations on pipes with small inner diameters, or for scenarios where internal pipe alignment devices cannot be used due to terrain limitations. Furthermore, by keeping the alignment component 300 away from the outer wall of the pipe, it can automatically avoid welding equipment (e.g., welding carriages and welding torches), thereby allowing pipe welding to be performed using an automatic pipe welding machine. This effectively solves the problem of welding and assembling small-diameter pipes using automatic welding machines, expanding the applicability of automatic pipe welding.

[0052] The following describes by way of example the structure and function of each component involved in the external pipe alignment device provided in the embodiments of the present invention.

[0053] In some examples, such as the attached Figure 2 As shown, the bracket assembly 200, the mating assembly 300, and the pneumatic power assembly 400 are all configured in multiple and one-to-one correspondences along the circumferential direction of the clamp assembly 100. For example, they are all configured in three, four, or five symmetrically arranged groups. Figure 1 An example was given using a configuration of four groups.

[0054] See Figure 2 The clamp assembly 100 includes a first semi-circular arc frame 11, a second semi-circular arc frame 12, a plurality of arc plates 13, and a plurality of flexible plates 14 arranged symmetrically. One end of the first semi-circular arc frame 11 and the second semi-circular arc frame 12 are hinged together, and the other end is fixedly connected by a fastener. The plurality of arc plates 13 are respectively arranged on the inner sidewalls of the first semi-circular arc frame 11 and the second semi-circular arc frame 12, and cooperate to form a complete annular clamp. The plurality of flexible plates 14 are respectively arranged on the inner sidewalls of the plurality of arc plates 13.

[0055] The clamp assembly 100 is fixed to the outer wall of the opening of one of the two pipes to be aligned, and is used to support multiple support assemblies 200, alignment assembly 300 and pneumatic power assembly 400, and to bear the reaction force given by the pipes during the pipe alignment operation. One end of the first semi-circular arc frame 11 and the second semi-circular arc frame 12 are hinged together by a hinge shaft to facilitate opening and closing operations, and to realize assembly on the outside of the pipes.

[0056] The number of arc-shaped plates 13 and flexible plates 14 can be the same, for example, two, four, or six sets of each. The arc-shaped plates 13 and flexible plates 14 are arranged sequentially along the radial inward direction, so that the flexible plates 14 abut against the pipe to be aligned. Based on the flexible characteristics of the flexible plates 14, the pipe is stably clamped.

[0057] For example, the flexible plate 14 can be a rubber plate, and both the arc plate 13 and the flexible plate 14 can be fixedly connected to the first semi-circular arc frame 11 and the second semi-circular arc frame 12 by means of bonding, screw connection, etc. For example, the arc plate 13 and the flexible plate 14 can be fixedly connected to the semi-circular arc frame at the same time using tapered set screws.

[0058] Based on the openable and closable operation between the first semicircular arc frame 11 and the second semicircular arc frame 12, the other ends of the first semicircular arc frame 11 and the second semicircular arc frame 12 are fixedly connected by fasteners to maintain a stable closed state.

[0059] In some examples, such as the attached Figure 2 As shown, the fixing components include: a screw 15, a fixing pin 16, and a fixing nut 17; one end of the screw 15 is fixedly connected to one of the first semi-circular arc frame 11 and the second semi-circular arc frame 12 via the fixing pin 16, and the other end of the screw 15 passes through a baffle 18 disposed in the other of the first semi-circular arc frame 11 and the second semi-circular arc frame 12; the fixing nut 17 is threadedly connected to the screw 15 to achieve a fixed connection between the first semi-circular arc frame 11 and the second semi-circular arc frame 12.

[0060] Taking the example of one end of the opening and closing screw 15 being fixedly connected to the first semi-circular arc frame 11 via a fixing pin 16, one end of the opening and closing screw 15 is provided with a circular hole, the axis of which is perpendicular to the axis of the opening and closing screw 15. The end of the first semi-circular arc frame 11 has a pin fixing tube 19, through which the fixing pin 16 passes and through both the circular hole and the pin fixing tube 19, and is fixedly connected to the pin fixing tube 19 (e.g., by friction fastening or threaded connection), thereby fixing the opening and closing screw 15 to the first semi-circular arc frame 11.

[0061] The end of the second semi-circular arc frame 12 is provided with a baffle 18. The other end of the opening and closing screw 15 passes through the baffle 18 and is locked by the fixing nut 17, thereby closing the first semi-circular arc frame 11 and the second semi-circular arc frame 12 into one, ensuring that the clamp assembly 100 is stably fixed on the outside of the pipe.

[0062] In some examples, such as the attached Figure 1 and attached Figure 3 As shown, the bracket assembly 200 includes: a base plate 21, a clamping arm fixing plate 22, a cylinder fixing plate 23, an outer connecting rod 24, and an inner connecting rod 25. The base plate 21 is fixedly connected to the clamp assembly 100, specifically, it is fixedly connected to the outer wall of one of the first semi-circular arc frame 11 and the second semi-circular arc frame 12, for example, by bolts.

[0063] The clamping arm fixing plate 22 and the cylinder fixing plate 23 are fixedly connected to the same side surface of the base plate 21. For example, the clamping arm fixing plate 22, the cylinder fixing plate 23 and the base plate 21 are welded together to form an integral support structure.

[0064] The clamping arm fixing plate 22 and the cylinder fixing plate 23 are sequentially distributed along the length of the base plate 21. The clamping arm fixing plate 22 is used for hinged connection with the clamping arm 31 of the mating assembly 300, and the cylinder fixing plate 23 is used for hinged connection with the cylinder 42 of the pneumatic power assembly 400. This provides support for both the mating assembly 300 and the pneumatic power assembly 400, while allowing for their movement.

[0065] The lower end of the outer connecting rod 24 is hinged to the clamping arm fixing plate 22, and the upper end of the outer connecting rod 24 is hinged to the pneumatic power assembly 400. The upper end of the inner connecting rod 25 is hinged to the outer connecting rod 24 (hinged via a hinge shaft), and the lower end of the inner connecting rod 25 is hinged to the clamping arm 31 (hinged via a hinge shaft). Therefore, through the above arrangement of the support assembly 200, the mating assembly 300 and the pneumatic power assembly 400 can be linked together via the support assembly 200.

[0066] In some examples, such as the attached Figure 3 As shown, the clamping arm fixing plate 22, cylinder fixing plate 23, outer connecting rod 24, and inner connecting rod 25 are arranged symmetrically in two sets along the width direction of the base plate 21. Thus, a cavity is formed between the two cylinder fixing plates 23 to accommodate the cylinder 42, and a cavity is formed between the two clamping arm fixing plates 22 to accommodate the clamping arm 31. Correspondingly, each clamping arm fixing plate 22 has an outer connecting rod 24 connected to its opposite surface, and each outer connecting rod 24 has an inner connecting rod 25 connected to its opposite surface. The opposite sides of the clamping arm 31 are respectively hinged to the two corresponding inner connecting rods 25.

[0067] As attached Figure 3 As shown, the alignment assembly 300 includes: a pipe clamping arm 31 and two alignment screws 32; wherein, the pipe clamping arm 31 has a first end and a second end distributed along the length direction, the first end of the pipe clamping arm 31 is hinged to the pipe clamping arm fixing plate 22, and the two alignment screws 32 are respectively threaded to the second end of the pipe clamping arm 31 and are spaced apart along the length direction of the pipe clamping arm 31 to abut against the two pipes to be aligned respectively; the lower end of the inner connecting rod 25 is hinged to the position of the pipe clamping arm 31 near its first end.

[0068] The cylinder 42 of the pneumatic power assembly 400 has a retractable piston rod 421. When the piston rod 421 retracts, it pulls the outer connecting rod 24 to rotate. The rotating outer connecting rod 24 further drives the clamping arm 31 to rotate through the inner connecting rod 25. The rotation of the clamping arm 31 is around the connecting shaft between the clamping arm 31 and the clamping arm fixing plate 22, thereby rotating the clamping arm 31 from the matching position O to the avoidance position O' (that is, the non-matching position).

[0069] At the alignment station O, the two alignment screws 32 clamp the two pipes to be aligned. At the avoidance station O', the alignment screws 32 are removed from the pipes to be aligned in order to avoid the automatic welding equipment.

[0070] When the piston rod 421 extends, it pushes the outer connecting rod 24 to rotate in the opposite direction. The rotating outer connecting rod 24 further drives the clamping arm 31 to rotate in the opposite direction through the inner connecting rod 25, thereby rotating the clamping arm 31 from the avoidance position O' to the alignment position O.

[0071] The second end of the clamping arm 31 has a threaded hole, and the matching screw 32 is threadedly connected to the threaded hole. One of the two matching screws 32 abuts against one of the pipes to be matched, and the other abuts against the other pipe to be matched, thereby completing the pipe end matching of the two pipes to be matched.

[0072] When the pipe clamping arm 31 is in the alignment position O, the external force clamping the pipe is transmitted to the inner connecting rod 25 along the alignment screw 32. At this time, the inner connecting rod 25 and the outer connecting rod 24 are parallel and cooperate to form a dead point structure, thereby restricting the displacement of the pipe clamping arm 31 and the alignment screw 32. The external force can be applied to the pipe by manually rotating the alignment screw 32, causing the pipe opening to deform and forcibly adjusting the misalignment of the two pipes.

[0073] In some examples, the support assembly 200 further includes a limiting shaft 26, which is disposed between two symmetrically arranged sets of clamping arm fixing plates 22. The limiting shaft 26 is used to limit the clamping arm 31 when it rotates to a non-aligning position.

[0074] When the piston rod 421 retracts and retracts the clamping arm 31 and the aligning screw 32, moving it to the clearance position O', the limiting shaft 26 can abut against the end of the clamping arm 31, thereby limiting the clamping arm 31 and stabilizing it at the clearance position O'.

[0075] In some examples, such as the attached Figure 1 As shown, the end of the mating screw 32 that abuts against the pipe to be mated has a screw cap 33. In this way, the screw cap 33, which has a larger contact area, abuts against the pipe to be mated, which helps to enhance the clamping effect on the pipe.

[0076] Furthermore, a rough structure can be provided on the surface of the screw cap 33 that contacts the pipe to further enhance the contact friction between the screw cap 33 and the pipe, thereby further improving the clamping effect on the pipe.

[0077] In the embodiments of the present invention, as shown in the appendix Figure 1 As shown, the pneumatic power assembly 400 includes: an air source 41, a cylinder 42, and a solenoid valve 43; the air source 41 and the cylinder 42 are connected through an air circuit, the solenoid valve 43 is disposed on the air circuit and electrically connected to the controller 500, and the solenoid valve 43 is used to control the opening and closing of the air circuit under the control of the control valve; the piston rod 421 of the cylinder 42 is hinged to the upper end of the outer connecting rod 24 through a hinge shaft.

[0078] The cylinder 42 is hinged to the cylinder fixing plate 23 via a hinge shaft, so that the cylinder 42 can swing accordingly when the piston rod 421 moves in extension and retraction. The piston rod 421 is hinged to the outer connecting rod 24 via a hinge shaft, thereby driving the pipe clamping arm 31 and the alignment screw 32 to move between the alignment position O and the avoidance position O', respectively achieving the clamping of the pipe and the retraction of the alignment screw 32.

[0079] Solenoid valve 43 is installed on the gas line and electrically connected to controller 500. Solenoid valve 43 is used to control the opening and closing of the gas line under the control of the control valve. It can be seen that the position switching of the clamping arm 31 between the alignment position O and the avoidance position O' can be controlled by controller 500. Furthermore, controller 500 can be used as part of the control system electrically connected to the automatic pipe welding machine.

[0080] In this way, after the external pipe alignment device completes the pipe alignment operation, the automatic pipe welding machine is started. When the welding machine reaches the alignment position to be welded, the pipe clamping arm 31 and the alignment screw 32 are automatically raised under the control of the controller 500. When the welding machine completes the welding and moves away from the alignment position, the pipe clamping arm 31 and the alignment screw 32 are automatically lowered and clamped to the pipe under the control of the controller 500. After the automatic root welding of the pipe is completed, the external pipe alignment device can be removed from the pipe.

[0081] In summary, the external pipe alignment device provided in this embodiment of the invention can align the pipe ends of small-diameter pipes, meeting the requirement for automatic welding of small-diameter pipes using an all-position external automatic welding machine. This external pipe alignment device can be used for pipe end alignment and automatic external welding of pipes in mountainous areas, water networks, and connecting pipes. It is an important construction tool in the construction of oilfield long-distance pipelines, natural gas station pipelines, oil and gas field gathering and transportation pipelines, and urban heating networks.

[0082] Practice has proven that using the pipe alignment device provided in this invention for pipe alignment operations results in a misalignment of no more than 1.5 mm for seamless pipes and spiral pipes. It also helps correct pipe ends with poor roundness. Compared to traditional pipe alignment devices, this device can automatically align pipe ends, automatically lift to avoid automatic pipe welding, expand the application scope of automatic pipe welding, shorten the construction cycle, and increase economic benefits.

[0083] On the other hand, embodiments of the present invention provide a pipe docking method, which uses any of the aforementioned pipe external docking devices to automatically dock two pipes to be docked.

[0084] The pipe connection method provided in this embodiment of the invention has all the advantages of any of the pipe connection devices mentioned above, and will not be described in detail here.

[0085] In some examples, pipe connections can be implemented using the following steps:

[0086] (1) The operator places the pipe external alignment device at a suitable position at the pipe opening of the pipe to be aligned, and clamps the clamp assembly 100 to the outside of the corresponding pipe.

[0087] (2) Connect the control line and pneumatic pipeline of the controller 500, the pneumatic power assembly 400 and the matching assembly 300, start the pneumatic power assembly 400, extend the piston rod 421, so that the clamping arm 31 and the matching screw 32 move to the matching position O, so that the two matching screws 32 and the optional screw cap 33 clamp the pipe openings of the two pipes.

[0088] (3) Manually rotate the alignment screw 32 to apply external force to the pipe, causing the pipe opening to deform and forcibly adjust the misalignment of the two pipes to within 1.5mm, thus completing the pipe opening alignment.

[0089] (4) Start the automatic pipe welding machine. When the welding machine arrives, the pipe clamping arm 31 and the aligning screw 32 automatically rise. After the welding machine passes, when the welding machine reaches the alignment position to be welded, the pipe clamping arm 31 and the aligning screw 32 automatically rise under the control of the controller 500. When the welding machine completes the welding and moves away from the alignment position, the pipe clamping arm 31 and the aligning screw 32 automatically fall under the control of the controller 500. After the automatic root welding of the pipe is completed, the external alignment device can be removed from the pipe.

[0090] (5) Move the external pipe fitting device to the next pipe opening and repeat the above operation procedure to finally achieve the connection of all pipes.

[0091] In embodiments of the present invention, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. The term "multiple" refers to two or more unless otherwise expressly defined.

[0092] The above description is merely for the purpose of enabling those skilled in the art to understand the technical solutions of the present invention, and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A pipe external fitting device, characterized in that, The external pipe alignment device includes: a clamp assembly (100), a support assembly (200), an alignment assembly (300), a pneumatic power assembly (400), and a controller (500); The clamp assembly (100) is used to clamp the pipe to be matched; The bracket assembly (200), the mating assembly (300), and the pneumatic power assembly (400) are all configured in multiple and correspond one-to-one along the circumferential direction of the clamp assembly (100). The bracket assembly (200) is fixedly connected to the clamp assembly (100). The mating assembly (300) and the pneumatic power assembly (400) are both hinged to the bracket assembly (200), and the mating assembly (300) and the pneumatic power assembly (400) are arranged in a linked manner through the bracket assembly (200). The controller (500) is electrically connected to the pneumatic power assembly (400), and the controller (500) is used to control the pneumatic power assembly (400) to perform pneumatic operations, and the pneumatic power assembly (400) in turn drives the matching assembly (300) to abut against or move away from the outer wall of the pipe to be matched.

2. The pipe external alignment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The clamp assembly (100) includes a first semi-circular arc frame (11), a second semi-circular arc frame (12), multiple arc plates (13), and multiple flexible plates (14) arranged symmetrically. The first semi-circular arc frame (11) and the second semi-circular arc frame (12) are hinged at one end and fixedly connected at the other end by a fastener; The plurality of arc-shaped plates (13) are respectively arranged on the inner sidewalls of the first semi-circular arc frame (11) and the second semi-circular arc frame (12), and cooperate to form a complete annular clamp. The plurality of flexible plates (14) are respectively arranged on the inner sidewalls of the plurality of arc-shaped plates (13).

3. The pipe external alignment device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The fasteners include: a screw (15), a pin (16), and a nut (17); One end of the opening and closing screw (15) is fixedly connected to one of the first semi-circular arc frame (11) and the second semi-circular arc frame (12) via the fixed pin (16), and the other end of the opening and closing screw (15) passes through the baffle (18) provided in the other of the first semi-circular arc frame (11) and the second semi-circular arc frame (12). The fixing nut (17) is threadedly connected to the opening and closing screw (15) to achieve a fixed connection between the first semi-circular arc frame (11) and the second semi-circular arc frame (12).

4. The pipe external alignment device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bracket assembly (200) includes: a base plate (21), which is fixedly connected to the clamp assembly (100); A clamping arm fixing plate (22) and a cylinder fixing plate (23) are fixedly connected to the same side surface of the base plate (21). The clamping arm fixing plate (22) and the cylinder fixing plate (23) are distributed sequentially along the length direction of the base plate (21). The clamping arm fixing plate (22) is used to be hinged to the clamping arm (31) of the mating assembly (300). The cylinder fixing plate (23) is used to be hinged to the cylinder (42) of the pneumatic power assembly (400). The lower end of the outer connecting rod (24) is hinged to the clamping arm fixing plate (22), and the upper end of the outer connecting rod (24) is hinged to the pneumatic power assembly (400); The upper end of the inner connecting rod (25) is hinged to the outer connecting rod (24), and the lower end of the inner connecting rod (25) is hinged to the clamping arm (31).

5. The pipe external alignment device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The clamping arm fixing plate (22), the cylinder fixing plate (23), the outer connecting rod (24), and the inner connecting rod (25) are all arranged in two symmetrical sets along the width direction of the base plate (21).

6. The pipe external alignment device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The mating assembly (300) includes: a clamping arm (31) and two mating screws (32); The clamping arm (31) has a first end and a second end distributed along the length direction. The first end of the clamping arm (31) is hinged to the clamping arm fixing plate (22). The two matching screws (32) are respectively threaded to the second end of the clamping arm (31) and are spaced apart along the length direction of the clamping arm (31) to abut against the two pipes to be matched. The lower end of the inner connecting rod (25) is hinged to the clamping arm (31) near its first end.

7. The pipe alignment device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The bracket assembly (200) further includes a limiting shaft (26), which is disposed between two sets of symmetrically arranged clamping arm fixing plates (22). The limiting shaft (26) is used to limit the clamping arm (31) when the clamping arm (31) rotates to a non-aligned position.

8. The pipe external alignment device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The end of the matching screw (32) that abuts against the pipe to be matched has a screw cap (33).

9. The pipe external alignment device according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pneumatic power assembly (400) includes: an air source (41), a cylinder (42), and a solenoid valve (43); The air source (41) is connected to the cylinder (42) through an air circuit. The solenoid valve (43) is located on the air circuit and electrically connected to the controller (500). The solenoid valve (43) is used to control the air circuit to open and close under the control of the control valve. The piston rod (421) of the cylinder (42) is hinged to the upper end of the outer connecting rod (24) via a hinge shaft.

10. A method for pipe connection, characterized in that, The pipe docking method uses the external pipe docking device described in any one of claims 1-9 to automatically dock two pipes to be docked.

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