A device for cutting weld seams in a sleeved metal tube and its operating method

Abstract

This application belongs to the technical field of pipeline welding equipment, specifically relating to a weld seam removal device and operating method for insert metal pipes. It includes a device body, a clamping mechanism mounted on the device body for fixing the device to the outer wall of the pipe to be processed and aligning the processing axis of the device with the axis of the pipe, a cutting mechanism mounted on the device body for grinding or cutting the weld seam of the pipe insert, a transmission mechanism mounted on the device body for transmitting power and driving the cutting mechanism to rotate, and a locking mechanism mounted on the device body for preventing accidental movement of the cutting mechanism and the transmission mechanism. This eliminates the reliance on manual experience associated with traditional hand tools, improving the stability of processing quality and operational efficiency. Simultaneously, the introduction of a dedicated locking mechanism to limit accidental movement of core components ensures the safety of the equipment under complex operating conditions from an overall structural perspective.

Description

[Technical Field] This application belongs to the technical field of pipeline welding equipment, specifically relating to a weld seam removal device and operating method for a sleeved metal pipe. [Background Technology] During pipeline sleeve maintenance, the sealing welds between the sleeves typically require treatment, including weld surface grinding and weld cutting. Due to the complex environment and often confined working space at actual maintenance sites, coupled with the diverse range of pipe sleeve specifications, manual processing using hand tools such as angle grinders, grinding wheels, or cutters is often employed. This method heavily relies on operator experience and introduces significant randomness and uncertainty, easily leading to uneven grinding depth, inaccurate cutting depth control, and cutting positions deviating from the weld centerline. These issues affect the integrity of the sleeve structure and the quality of subsequent assembly. To improve efficiency and processing quality, automated or semi-automated weld grinding and cutting equipment has emerged on the market. However, some automated equipment has a complex overall structure and large size, making it difficult to deploy in space-constrained maintenance environments. Furthermore, some equipment has limited adaptability to different pipe diameters and weld structures, exhibiting poor versatility. Additionally, the installation, adjustment, and operation procedures are cumbersome, hindering rapid on-site assembly and efficient operation. [Summary of the Invention] The purpose of this invention is to provide a weld seam removal device and operation method for insert metal tubes, aiming to solve the problems of low grinding efficiency, poor adaptability and inconvenient operation in the prior art.

[0004] This application is achieved through the following technical solution: A weld seam removal device for a metal pipe sleeve includes a device body, a clamping mechanism disposed on the device body for fixing the device to the outer wall of the pipe to be processed and aligning the processing axis of the device with the axis of the pipe, a cutting mechanism disposed on the device body for grinding or cutting the weld seam of the pipe sleeve, a transmission mechanism disposed on the device body for transmitting power and driving the cutting mechanism to rotate, and a locking mechanism disposed on the device body for limiting the erroneous movement of the cutting mechanism and the transmission mechanism.

[0005] The weld seam removal device for insert metal pipes as described above includes a main module and an opening / closing module hinged to the main module. One end of the main module is provided with a first limiting hole, and one end of the opening / closing module is provided with a second limiting hole. When the opening / closing module is unfolded, the device is fitted onto the outside of the pipe to be processed. When the opening / closing module and the main module are closed, the first limiting hole and the second limiting hole are aligned and a bolt passes through to achieve locking, thereby forming the cutting mechanism with a complete cutting area.

[0006] As described above, the weld seam removal device for insert metal tubes includes a driven gear disk assembly, a cutter disc connected to the driven gear disk assembly, and a cutter assembly disposed on the cutter disc. The driven gear disk assembly and the cutter disc are divided into two parts, respectively disposed on the main body module and the opening and closing module. When the opening and closing module is closed and locked with the main body module, the driven gear disk assembly and the cutter disc are spliced ​​together to form the complete cutting mechanism, so as to receive the power transmitted by the transmission mechanism and drive the cutting mechanism to rotate as a whole.

[0007] The weld seam removal device for insert metal tubes as described above includes a tool assembly comprising a tool holder, a tool seat movably mounted on the tool holder, a tool head detachably connected to the tool seat, and a feed dial mounted on the tool holder and connected to the tool seat via a screw and nut mechanism.

[0008] As described above, the weld seam removal device for insert metal pipe includes a clamping mechanism comprising a jaw assembly and a clamping screw assembly. When the opening and closing module is unfolded and the device is fitted onto the outside of the pipe, the clamping screw assembly is adjusted to drive the jaw assemblies on both sides to move synchronously toward the pipe axis until they are completely fitted to the outer wall of the pipe for fixation.

[0009] As described above, the weld seam removal device for insert metal tubes includes a gripper assembly comprising a joint base, a first gripper arm and a second gripper arm hinged to both ends of the joint base by fastening bolts, the top of the first gripper arm and the second gripper arm being respectively provided with a first limiting groove and a second limiting groove, and the main body of the device being provided with a first positioning hole and a second positioning hole corresponding to the first limiting groove and the second limiting groove and for fasteners to pass through.

[0010] The weld seam removal device for the insert metal tube as described above includes a clamping screw assembly comprising a rotating component disposed on the main body of the device, and a first threaded rod and a second threaded rod respectively connected to the first clamping arm and the second clamping arm, wherein the first threaded rod and the second threaded rod are connected to the rotating component.

[0011] As described above, the weld seam removal device for insert metal tubes includes an upper driven gear and a lower driven gear in the driven gear disk assembly. The transmission mechanism includes an internal meshing spur gear set, an external meshing spur gear set connected to the internal meshing spur gear set, and a branch transmission gear set meshing with the external meshing spur gear set. The branch transmission gear set includes a lower branch gear meshing with the lower driven gear and used to transmit a larger torque to drive the cutting mechanism, and an upper branch gear meshing with the upper driven gear and used to increase stability and assist in resetting. The upper branch gear and the lower branch gear are connected and coaxially arranged.

[0012] As described above, the weld seam removal device for insert metal tubes includes an internal meshing spur gear set comprising a first gear and a second gear meshing with the inner ring of the first gear, and an external meshing spur gear set comprising a third gear and a fourth gear meshing with the outer ring of the third gear, wherein the third gear is connected to and coaxially arranged with the first gear.

[0013] A method for operating a weld seam removal device for a sleeved metal tube as described in any of the preceding claims, characterized by comprising the following steps: S1: Place the main body of the device on the outside of the pipe to be processed, adjust the clamping mechanism to fix the device to the outer wall of the pipe, and automatically align the processing axis of the device with the axis of the pipe. S2: Operate the locking mechanism to release its restriction on the movement of the cutting mechanism and the transmission mechanism; S3: Start the power source, transmit power through the transmission mechanism and drive the cutting mechanism to rotate continuously around the clamped pipe to perform grinding or cutting operations on the pipe sleeve weld. S4: After the operation is completed, disconnect the power source to stop the cutting mechanism from rotating, reoperate the locking mechanism to limit the malfunction of the cutting mechanism and the transmission mechanism, then release the clamping mechanism and remove the device from the pipe.

[0014] Compared with the prior art, this application has the following advantages: 1. This device highly integrates core functions such as clamping and centering, rotary cutting, power transmission, and safety locking into a single main body. During operation, the clamping mechanism directly achieves precise alignment between the processing axis and the pipe axis. The transmission mechanism drives the cutting mechanism for fully automatic grinding or cutting, eliminating the reliance on manual experience of traditional hand tools, improving the stability of processing quality and work efficiency. At the same time, a dedicated locking mechanism is introduced to limit the accidental movement of core components, ensuring the safety of the equipment under complex working conditions from the overall architecture.

[0015] 2. An opening and closing cutting mechanism with the main module and the opening and closing module hinged together is adopted. During operation, the module can be opened and directly inserted into the pipe from the side. After closing, it is locked through the limit hole and spliced ​​into a complete driven gear disk, which improves the deployment efficiency in complex and narrow maintenance environments.

[0016] 3. The branch drive gear set adopts two coaxial gear sets, upper and lower. The lower gear set has a large tooth width and a small number of teeth, which is dedicated to transmitting the large torque required for cutting. The upper gear set has a small tooth width and a large number of teeth, which is used to increase meshing stability and assist in resetting. This transmission design achieves efficient and stable power output in a very small space. [Attached Image Description] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, 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 this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a three-dimensional representation of the unfolded state of the embodiments of this application. Figure 1 ; Figure 2 This is an exploded view of the cutting mechanism of this application; Figure 3 This is a three-dimensional representation of the unfolded state of the embodiments of this application. Figure 2 ; Figure 4 yes Figure 1 Exploded view; Figure 5 yes Figure 3 Exploded view; Figure 6 This is a three-dimensional perspective view of the retracted state of an embodiment of this application; Figure 7 This is a flowchart of the method described in this application.

Detailed Implementation Methods

[0020] Please see Figures 1 to 6 A weld seam cutting device for a sleeved metal pipe includes a device body 1, a clamping mechanism 2 disposed on the device body 1 for fixing the device to the outer wall of the pipe to be processed and aligning the processing axis of the device with the axis of the pipe, a cutting mechanism 3 disposed on the device body 1 for grinding or cutting the weld seam of the pipe sleeve, a transmission mechanism 4 disposed on the device body 1 for transmitting power and driving the cutting mechanism 3 to rotate, and a locking mechanism 5 disposed on the device body 1 for preventing the cutting mechanism 3 and the transmission mechanism 4 from malfunctioning.

[0021] In this embodiment, efficient, precise, and automated grinding and cutting of pipe sleeve welds is achieved, overcoming the problems of traditional manual operation's reliance on experience and uneven grinding depth. Simultaneously, the clamping mechanism automatically and precisely aligns the processing axis with the original axis of the pipe while fixing the device, greatly ensuring the stability of the cutting trajectory and processing quality. During the preparation phase, the operator places the main body 1 of the device in the weld area of ​​the pipe to be processed and operates the clamping mechanism 2 to firmly attach its jaws and other components to the outer wall of the pipe, thus achieving coaxial alignment between the processing axis of the device and the central axis of the pipe. Then, the locking mechanism 5 is released from its displacement restriction on the moving parts, and the servo motor and other power sources are activated. The power is transmitted and amplified through multiple stages via the transmission mechanism 4, ultimately driving the cutting mechanism 3 to rotate stably 360 degrees around the clamped pipe. This allows the cutting tool mounted on the cutting mechanism 3 to perform uniform and continuous circumferential grinding or cutting of the pipe sleeve weld. After the operation is completed, the power is cut off. The locking mechanism 5 is triggered again to lock the cutting mechanism 3 and the transmission mechanism 4 to prevent them from rotating freely and causing danger. In addition to using conventional threaded screw-driven mechanical grippers, the clamping mechanism 2 can also be replaced with a pneumatic chuck, hydraulic clamp, or electromagnetic adsorption clamp to achieve a higher degree of automation in centering clamping. In terms of the transmission mechanism 4, in addition to using multi-stage spur gear meshing transmission, it can also be replaced with synchronous belt drive, chain drive, or worm gear reduction transmission mechanism according to the size and noise requirements of the device. In terms of the cutting mechanism 3, its execution end is not limited to installing a single cutting tool. It can also be replaced with a milling power head, a sanding belt grinding ring, or a non-contact laser / plasma cutting component according to the specific pipe material and weld thickness. In terms of the locking mechanism 5, in addition to using a mechanical pin or clamping plate structure with physical interference, an electromagnetic brake, a friction clutch, or the absolute position holding and self-locking function of the servo motor can also be used to lock the mechanism to prevent accidental movement.

[0022] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of this solution and not a limitation, the cutting mechanism 3 includes a main body module 31 and an opening / closing module 32 hinged to the main body module 31. One end of the main body module 31 is provided with a first limiting hole 311, and one end of the opening / closing module 32 is provided with a second limiting hole 321. When the opening / closing module 32 is unfolded, the device is sleeved on the outside of the pipe to be processed. When the opening / closing module 32 and the main body module 31 are closed, the first limiting hole 311 and the second limiting hole 321 are aligned and bolts pass through to achieve locking, thereby forming the cutting mechanism 3 with a complete cutting area.

[0023] In this embodiment, the engineering applicability and assembly efficiency of the device in complex and confined maintenance sites are enhanced. It completely breaks the limitation of traditional closed-loop equipment that must be inserted from the free end of the pipe, allowing the equipment to be directly deployed radially on infinitely long continuous pipeline systems or in space-constrained plug-in welds. Furthermore, the rigid locking method using bolts passing through limiting holes fully ensures the overall rigidity of the cutting mechanism and the continuous smoothness of its circular running track during high-speed rotating cutting operations. The working principle of this structure is as follows: during the on-site installation phase, the operator first removes or loosens the locking bolts. The opening and closing module 32 is rotated outward around its hinge point with the main module 31, forming a notch large enough to allow the radial entry of the pipe to be processed. The entire device is then pushed radially into the pipe, allowing the section to be ground or cut to enter the central processing area of ​​the main module 31. The operator then rotates the opening and closing module 32 inward until the second limiting hole 321 at its end is completely concentrically aligned with the first limiting hole 311 at the end of the main module 31. Finally, fastening bolts or pins are passed through the aligned limiting holes and tightened, thus firmly and rigidly connecting the two modules into a complete unit. The 360-degree annular cutting zone provides a seamless closed-loop track for continuous circumferential cutting of subsequent tool assemblies. The hinge between the opening / closing module 32 and the main module 31 is not limited to a simple single-pin hinge; a multi-link mechanism can be used to achieve translational opening and closing. Alternatively, the two can be designed as two completely separate semi-annular parts without any hinge. During installation, the two halves are assembled by using limiting holes and bolts on both end faces. In the locking mechanism at the module ends, in addition to using ordinary through bolts and limiting holes for fastening, the end face connection where the first limiting hole 311 and the second limiting hole 321 are located also... It can be equivalently replaced by a quick-release eccentric clamp with a handle, a self-locking hook and latch mechanism, a spring telescopic pin locking mechanism, or a positioning pin mechanism that can be automatically inserted and removed by a small pneumatic / hydraulic cylinder, so as to further reduce the tediousness of manual bolt tightening on site and improve the speed of locking. At the same time, the arc length ratio of the main body module 31 and the opening and closing module 32 is not necessarily limited to a symmetrical 180-degree semicircle each. It can be designed as a non-equal splicing structure with a large C-shaped main body (such as occupying 270 degrees) and a small arc-shaped opening and closing module (such as occupying 90 degrees) according to the internal gear arrangement and interference avoidance requirements.

[0024] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of this solution and not a limitation, the cutting mechanism 3 further includes a driven gear disk assembly 33, a cutter disc 34 connected to the driven gear disk assembly 33, and a cutter assembly 35 disposed on the cutter disc 34. The driven gear disk assembly 33 and the cutter disc 34 are divided into two parts, respectively disposed on the main body module 31 and the opening and closing module 32. When the opening and closing module 32 is closed and locked with the main body module 31, the driven gear disk assembly 33 and the cutter disc 34 are spliced ​​together to form the complete cutting mechanism 3, so as to receive the power transmitted by the transmission mechanism 4 and drive the cutting mechanism 3 to rotate as a whole.

[0025] This embodiment solves the problem of how to achieve continuous power transmission around the entire circumference in a split-type pipe fitting processing equipment after lateral assembly. By synchronously dividing the power receiving component (gear disk) and the execution support component (cutter disk) into blocks and precisely splicing them when the modules are closed, the device retains its portability in confined spaces while creating a continuous and smooth 360-degree rigid rotating body in the closed state. This ensures seamless meshing during gear transmission and high stability of the cutter's circumferential movement trajectory along the pipe wall, effectively avoiding cutting dead angles and transmission jamming, and significantly improving the continuity and surface smoothness of weld grinding or cutting. The working principle is as follows: When the device is in the open standby state, the driven gear disk assembly 33 and the cutter head 34 are separated into two independent arc-shaped segments, which are respectively supported on the main body module 31 and the opening and closing module 32. After the radial sleeve is completed and the opening and closing module 32 is operated to close and lock towards the main body module 31, the two separated driven gear disk assemblies 33 are precisely connected at their end breaks, and their teeth are tightly aligned at the splice seam, recombining into a large annular gear with a complete and continuous tooth profile. At the same time, the two cutter head segments 34 are also spliced ​​together to form a complete annular support base. At this time, the output gear at the end of the transmission mechanism 4 and the spliced ​​driven gear are connected. The driven gear disk assembly 33 meshes with the driven gear disk assembly 33, continuously transmitting the torque output from the power source to the driven gear disk assembly 33. This drives the connected complete cutter head 34 and the mounted cutter assembly 35 to perform continuous grinding or cutting operations around the pipe axis in a full circumference. The splicing end face of the driven gear disk assembly 33 is not limited to a straight section butt joint; it can also adopt stepped, oblique, V-groove, or dovetail tenon interlocking split interface forms to further enhance the shear stiffness at the joint and the smoothness of the gear tooth transition, reducing the impact during splicing tooth meshing. In the forming and assembly relationship between the driven gear disk assembly 33 and the cutter head 34, the two can... These are two independent machined parts fixed together by fasteners. Alternatively, to improve structural compactness, reduce weight, and ensure absolute coaxiality, they can be machined into a single stepped ring-shaped part using an integrated CNC machine tool. In addition, to completely eliminate the minor meshing impact or power interruption that may occur when the gear disk splice gap passes through the single drive gear of the transmission mechanism 4, the end power output of the transmission mechanism 4 can be equivalently designed as a synchronous drive structure with double spur gears or multiple gears distributed along the circumference. This ensures that at any angle of rotation of the cutting mechanism 3, at least one drive gear always crosses the splice and maintains stable meshing with the complete tooth segment of the driven gear disk assembly 33.

[0026] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of this solution and not a limitation thereof, the tool assembly 35 includes a tool holder 351, a tool base 352 movably disposed on the tool holder 351, a tool head 353 detachably connected to the tool base 352, and a feed dial 354 disposed on the tool holder 351 and connected to the tool base 352 via a lead screw and nut mechanism.

[0027] In this embodiment, the tool assembly 35 employs a screw and nut mechanism in conjunction with a feed dial 354 to drive the tool holder 352 to move on the tool post 351. The detachable connection between the cutter head 353 and the tool holder 352 provides a significant advantage: it enables precise and quantitative control of the grinding or cutting depth, greatly improving the equipment's versatility and ease of maintenance. Operators can intuitively grasp the tool's displacement through precise readings on the feed dial 354, effectively avoiding damage to the pipe body due to excessive cutting or incomplete sealing weld treatment due to insufficient cutting. Furthermore, the detachable cutter head design allows for quick modular replacement without completely disassembling the tool assembly or device when dealing with different pipe materials, thicknesses, and weld shapes, such as switching between the grinding disc and cutting blade, or when the blade wears out. This greatly reduces consumable costs and improves on-site maintenance efficiency. The working principle of this structure is as follows: Before performing grinding or cutting operations or during the interval between multiple cutting operations, the operator manually rotates the feed dial 354 according to the processing requirements. The rotation of the feed dial 354 drives the internally associated lead screw to rotate synchronously. Relying on the screw and the matching nut (which is fixed on the tool holder 352 or the tool holder itself has an internal threaded hole), the rotational motion of the feed dial is smoothly and continuously converted into the linear translational motion of the tool holder 352 along the guide direction of the tool post 351. This allows for precise adjustment of the cutting feed distance of the connected cutter head 353 relative to the pipe weld. When the cutter head 353 reaches the end of its service life, it can be removed from the tool holder 352 by loosening the fasteners or quick-release clips and a new tool can be installed.

[0028] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of this solution and not a limitation, the clamping mechanism 2 includes a jaw assembly 21 and a clamping screw assembly 22. When the opening and closing module 32 is unfolded and the device is sleeved on the outside of the pipe, the clamping screw assembly 22 is adjusted to drive the jaw assemblies 21 on both sides to move synchronously toward the pipe axis until they are completely attached to the outer wall of the pipe for fixation.

[0029] In this embodiment, the clamping mechanism 2 adopts a structural design in which the clamping screw assembly 22 drives the two side gripper assemblies 21 to move synchronously toward the pipe axis. Through the physical synchronous mechanical linkage of the two side grippers, the absolute coaxial alignment of the device's rotation processing axis with the central axis of the pipe to be processed is naturally completed at the moment of clamping the pipe wall. This completely eliminates the assembly positioning errors and inefficiencies caused by the reliance on repeated manual observation, measurement, or fine adjustment using shims in traditional pipe fitting processing equipment. This provides a highly accurate concentric rotation reference for the high-speed circular motion of the subsequent cutting mechanism 3, fundamentally ensuring the uniformity and consistency of the grinding or cutting depth of the entire socket weld and the surface processing quality. The working principle of this clamping and centering structure is as follows: the device is pushed in laterally and the opening and closing module 32 is used to make the device move synchronously toward the pipe axis. After the main body of the device 1 spans and surrounds the outside of the pipe, the operator drives the rotating part of the clamping screw assembly 22 by manually rotating it or by external power. The clamping screw assembly 22 uses its internal helical transmission mechanism to smoothly convert the input rotational motion into a bidirectional linear translational motion along the direction perpendicular to the pipe axis. This forces the left and right jaw assemblies 21, which are respectively connected to both ends of the transmission side, to move towards the geometric center of the pipe with equal displacement, synchronously and in opposite directions. As the feed continues, the inner clamping arc surface or contact point of the two jaw assemblies 21 is completely and tightly attached to and locked onto the outer cylindrical surface of the pipe. Relying on the absolute symmetry of the displacement on both sides, the center of the pipe is directly "squeezed" to the physical rotation center of the device, thus achieving rigid fixation of the pipe.

[0030] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of this solution and not a limitation thereof, the gripper assembly 21 includes a joint base 211, a first gripper arm 212 and a second gripper arm 213 hinged to both ends of the joint base 211 by fastening bolts. The top of the first gripper arm 212 and the second gripper arm 213 are respectively provided with a first limiting groove 2121 and a second limiting groove 2131. The main body 1 of the device is provided with a first positioning hole 11 and a second positioning hole 12 corresponding to the first limiting groove 2121 and the second limiting groove 2131 and allowing fasteners to pass through.

[0031] In this embodiment, the gripper assembly 21 of the present invention adopts a joint base 211 hinged to the first gripper arm 212 and the second gripper arm 213, and a structure design with fasteners passing through the limiting groove and positioning hole. Its beneficial effect is that it greatly expands the adaptive tolerance of the device to sleeves of different pipe diameters. While achieving compatibility with large-span pipe diameters, it ensures the absolute structural rigidity in the clamping and centering state, effectively preventing the offset of the processing axis caused by micro-deformation or sliding displacement of the gripper under force during high-torque grinding or cutting rotation operations, and significantly improving the stability and reliability of the equipment in complex field conditions. The working principle of this flexible adaptive clamping structure is as follows: after the device is sleeved on the outside of the pipe to be processed, the operator first puts the fasteners passing through the first positioning hole 11 and the first limiting groove 2121, as well as the second positioning hole 12 and the second limiting groove 2131, into a loose sliding state. When the external adjustment mechanism drives the joint base When 211 is pushed toward the pipe axis, the inner sides of the first clamping arm 212 and the second clamping arm 213 touch the pipe wall. As the pushing force increases, the two clamping arms, with the curvature of the inner pipe wall as the model reference, passively rotate and open or close around the fastening bolt hinge points at both ends of the joint base 211. At this time, the first limiting groove 2121 and the second limiting groove 2131 at the top of the clamping arms slide smoothly relative to the fasteners in the first positioning hole 11 and the second positioning hole 12 on the main body of the device, until the inner edge contours of the two clamping arms are completely and tightly attached to and envelop the outer arc surface of the current pipe diameter, forming a stable contact at multiple points or a large area. Then, the operator tightens and locks all the hinge fastening bolts and the fasteners passing through the positioning holes and limiting grooves, so that the originally free movable hinge clamping arms are instantly transformed into a fixed truss load-bearing structure rigidly connected to the main body of the device, and the rigid centering clamping of the pipe is completely completed.

[0032] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of this solution and not a limitation thereof, the clamping screw assembly 22 includes a rotating member 221 disposed on the main body 1 of the device, and a first threaded rod 222 and a second threaded rod 223 respectively connected to the first clamping arm 212 and the second clamping arm 213, wherein the first threaded rod 222 and the second threaded rod 223 are connected to the rotating member 221.

[0033] In this embodiment, the clamping screw assembly 22 adopts a structural design in which the rotating component 221 is centrally connected and synchronously drives the first threaded rod 222 and the second threaded rod 223. Its advantage lies in achieving absolute mechanical synchronous linkage between the left and right clamping arms. Through rotational operation at a single power input point, the clamping components on both sides can be forced to move towards each other at completely equal displacement rates. This avoids the unilateral eccentric force and clamping axis offset problems easily caused by traditional single-sided independent locking or ordinary bench vise clamps. It ensures that the center of the pipe can be accurately and automatically "squeezed" and aligned with the rotary machining center of the device body, laying a coaxiality foundation for subsequent high-precision circumferential cutting and grinding, and greatly simplifying the centering and adjustment steps for operators in confined spaces. The working principle of this synchronous drive structure is as follows: after the device is initially fitted onto the pipe to be processed, the operator or external drive equipment applies a rotational torque to the rotating component 221 located on the device body 1. The rotating component 221, through its internal or end-mounted transmission... The mating surfaces transmit rotational motion simultaneously to the first threaded rod 222 and the second threaded rod 223, which are respectively connected to the first clamping arm 212 and the second clamping arm 213. This causes the two threaded rods to produce symmetrical linear extension and retraction displacement under the drive of the rotating component 221, thereby pushing or pulling the two clamping arms to overcome the gap and synchronously retract inward until the two clamping arms are firmly locked onto the outer wall of the pipe, achieving rigid centering and clamping. The rotating component 221 can be designed as an adjusting screw sleeve (i.e., a forward and reverse thread structure) with left-hand internal threads and right-hand internal threads respectively machined at both ends. The inner ends of the first threaded rod 222 and the second threaded rod 223 are respectively machined with corresponding left-hand and right-hand external threads and screwed into the sleeve. Alternatively, the rotating component 221 can be a set of central active bevel gears, with its two sides meshing and synchronously driving the driven bevel gears fixed at the ends of the two threaded rods. Or, the rotating component 221 itself can be a central spur gear, and the first and second threaded rods are provided with rack segments that mesh with it to form a gear and rack synchronization mechanism.

[0034] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of this solution and not a limitation, the driven gear assembly 33 includes an upper driven gear 332 and a lower driven gear 333. The transmission mechanism 4 includes an internal meshing spur gear set 41, an external meshing spur gear set 42 connected to the internal meshing spur gear set 41, and a branch transmission gear set 43 meshing with the external meshing spur gear set 42. The branch transmission gear set 43 includes a lower branch gear 431 meshing with the lower driven gear 333 and used to transmit a larger torque to drive the cutting mechanism, and an upper branch gear 432 meshing with the upper driven gear 332 and used to increase stability and assist in resetting. The upper branch gear 432 is connected to and coaxially arranged with the lower branch gear 431.

[0035] In this embodiment, the driven gear disk assembly 33 adopts a double-layer structure in conjunction with the branch transmission gear set 43 coaxially arranged in the transmission mechanism 4. Its beneficial effect lies in realizing torque splitting and multi-effect synergy during power transmission. Through the refined division of labor between the upper and lower gear sets, the lower layer is specifically responsible for transmitting larger torques to drive the cutting mechanism for grinding or cutting operations, while the upper layer mainly serves to increase stability, assist in resetting, and prevent device malfunction. This double-layer coaxial branch transmission structure not only achieves high-strength, high-proportion speed reduction and torque amplification within an extremely compact and limited space, but also effectively offsets the problems of tooth surface uneven loading, oscillation, and meshing jamming that are easily generated by single-layer wide gear transmission under heavy loads. This greatly improves the quality of the machining surface, the smoothness of the cutting track, and the service life of the entire machine's transmission system. The working principle of this branch transmission and the double-layer gear disk is as follows: after the servo motor starts, the high-speed rotating power is first input to the internal meshing spur gear set 41. Utilizing the physical characteristic that the internal meshing spur gear system can achieve high-proportion speed reduction and torque amplification within a limited space, initial speed reduction is performed, and then the power is smoothly transmitted to the external meshing gear set 41. The spur gear set 42, with its external meshing spur gear system, enables efficient and stable power transfer. The power, after speed reduction and torque increase, is ultimately transmitted to the coaxial shaft of the branch transmission gear set 43, driving the upper branch gear 432 and the lower branch gear 431 to rotate in absolute synchronization. At this time, since the lower branch uses a spur gear set with fewer teeth and a larger tooth width to transmit larger torque, the lower branch gear 431 meshes strongly with its lower driven gear 333, dragging the cutting mechanism carrying the tool to overcome the huge cutting force. The resistance performs circular operation. At the same time, the coaxially linked upper branch gear 432 meshes synchronously with its meshing upper driven gear 332. Since this layer has a smaller torque requirement, a spur gear set with more teeth and a smaller tooth width is used. This makes the upper gear pair act as a rigid synchronous gear and a speed-stabilizing flywheel during operation, absorbing the micro-oscillations caused by the large torque cutting of the lower layer. When the operation is completed and it needs to return to the initial origin position, it provides more accurate meshing positioning by relying on its denser number of teeth, assisting the reset module to achieve high-precision zero-position alignment.

[0036] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of this solution and not a limitation thereof, the internal meshing spur gear set 41 includes a first gear 411 and a second gear 412 meshing with the inner ring of the first gear 411, and the external meshing spur gear set 42 includes a third gear 421 and a fourth gear 422 meshing with the outer ring of the third gear 421, wherein the third gear 421 is connected to and coaxially arranged with the first gear 411.

[0037] In this embodiment, the transmission mechanism adopts a series combination of internal meshing spur gear sets and external meshing spur gear sets, with the third gear coaxially connected to the first gear. This design significantly improves the space utilization and torque transmission smoothness of the internal transmission system. The internal meshing structure inherently possesses physical advantages such as small center distance, high overlap, and strong load-bearing capacity, enabling a large-scale reduction in speed and torque amplification within a limited space (e.g., occupying only 200×120×60mm). The coaxially positioned third gear directly and losslessly transfers the amplified torque from the first-stage internal meshing to the second-stage external meshing gear set, not only significantly shortening the axial dimension of power transmission but also making the center of gravity distribution of the entire gearbox more uniform and compact, achieving efficient and stable power transfer. The working principle of this cascaded transmission structure... The principle is as follows: When the built-in small servo motor or other power source is started, its output power first drives the second gear 412, which is the first stage input, to rotate at high speed. The second gear 412 meshes with the inner ring tooth profile of the first gear 411 on its periphery. The speed ratio relationship between the small gear and the large internal gear is used to complete the initial large speed reduction and torque amplification. Since the third gear 421 is coaxial and fixedly connected to the first gear 411 in structure, the low speed and high torque obtained by the first gear 411 will be directly and synchronously transmitted to the third gear 421. Subsequently, the rotating third gear 421 meshes with the fourth gear 422 through the external tooth profile to perform the second stage speed and torque adaptation adjustment and change the position of the power transmission axis. Finally, the efficient and stable power that meets the requirements of grinding or cutting process is smoothly delivered to the subsequent branch transmission gear set.

[0038] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of this solution and not a limitation, the upper branch gear 432 has a greater number of teeth than the lower branch gear 431, and the tooth width of the upper branch gear 432 is smaller than that of the lower branch gear 431.

[0039] In this embodiment, the branch transmission gear set adopts an asymmetrical coaxial structure design with a large number of teeth and a small tooth width for the upper branch gear 432, and a small number of teeth and a large tooth width for the lower branch gear 431. This design is advantageous because it precisely matches the force characteristics and accuracy requirements of the device under different working conditions, such as actual cutting operations and standby reset. It achieves optimal matching of material distribution and mechanical properties within a limited space. The lower branch gear 431 uses a spur gear set with fewer teeth and a larger tooth width. The wide tooth width design significantly reduces the contact stress and bending stress per unit tooth width, fundamentally ensuring the transmission... The larger torque provides fatigue resistance and transmission rigidity when driving the cutting mechanism for grinding or cutting operations, effectively preventing tooth breakage failure. The upper branch gear 432 has a smaller torque requirement and uses a spur gear set with more teeth and a smaller tooth width. This design provides a more compact and smooth meshing overlap and a higher angular displacement resolution without increasing too much weight and axial space. It mainly plays a role in increasing stability, assisting in reset, and preventing device malfunction, which greatly improves the smoothness of the transmission system and the angular accuracy of the reset positioning module when finding the initial origin.

[0040] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of this solution and not a limitation thereof, the locking mechanism 5 includes a pin 51, a toggle switch 52 disposed on the pin 51, and a rotating shaft 53 rotatably connected to the main body 1 of the device. The driven gear assembly 33 is provided with an upwardly extending flange 331, and a slot 3311 is provided on the flange 331. When the toggle switch 52 is activated, the pin 51 is engaged in the slot 3311 to lock the driven gear assembly 33.

[0041] In this embodiment, the locking mechanism 5 adopts a structure design where a toggle switch 52 controls the pin 51 to rotate around the shaft 53 and engage with the slot 3311 on the flange 331 of the driven gear assembly 33. Its beneficial effect is that it provides an extremely reliable and intuitive purely mechanical rigid safety protection mechanism for equipment in a non-operating state. This effectively limits the free rotation and malfunction of the cutting mechanism and transmission mechanism caused by accidental collisions, gravity loads, or accidental operation during equipment handling, on-site radial installation, or standby shutdown. It fundamentally eliminates the safety hazard of the blade accidentally scratching the pipe wall or cutting the operator. At the same time, this pin-embedded locking structure is very compact, cleverly utilizing the axial upward extension space of the driven gear assembly without increasing the radial volume of the device, thus possessing extremely high practicality and safety value in engineering sites. The working principle of this mechanical locking structure is as follows: after the equipment needs to be assembled, transported, or after the cutting mechanism operation is completed... First, the driven gear disk assembly 33 is rotated to a specific initial safe origin position by manual operation or automatic system control of the reset positioning module. At this time, the slot 3311 on the upwardly extending flange 331 is precisely aligned with the movement trajectory area of ​​the pin 51. Then, the operator moves the toggle switch 52 on the pin 51 in the locking direction. Under the combined force of the toggle switch 52, the pin 51 swings downward with the rotating shaft 53 connected to the main body 1 as the center. Its locking end directly gets stuck and sinks into the slot 3311 of the flange 331, forming a rigid physical interference barrier, thereby completely locking the driven gear disk assembly 33, preventing it from rotating relative to the main body 1 and cutting off the possibility of reverse power transmission. When it is necessary to restart the grinding or cutting operation, simply move the switch 52 in the opposite direction to pull the pin 51 out of the slot 3311 to instantly release the lock.

[0042] Furthermore, as a preferred embodiment of this solution and not a limitation, it also includes a reset positioning module for guiding the driven gear disk assembly 33 to rotate to a set initial origin position so that the slot 3311 corresponds to the pin 51.

[0043] In this embodiment, the working principle of the reset and positioning structure is as follows: After the single pipeline sleeve weld grinding or cutting operation is completed, the operator issues a reset command through the control system, or the system automatically triggers the reset mode according to the processing program. At this time, the servo motor switches to a low-speed zero-seeking drive state, driving the transmission mechanism and the assembled driven gear disk assembly 33 to rotate slowly. When the driven gear disk assembly 33 rotates and approaches and reaches the preset mechanical or electrical initial origin position, the reset and positioning module accurately captures the position signal and instantly feeds it back to the control center. The system then sends a brake stop command to the power source, so that the driven gear disk assembly 33 is suspended smoothly and accurately. At the origin, the slot 3311 on the flange 331 moves to the corresponding area directly below the pin 51, and the operator can then smoothly complete the rigid locking of the pin. This module can be specifically designed as a photoelectric through-beam switch, proximity switch, or non-contact Hall magnetic sensor fixed on the main body of the device, and work with a light shield or induction magnetic block installed at a specific position on the driven gear disk assembly to achieve precise zero-position addressing. This reset positioning module can also be transformed into a purely mechanical or visual alignment auxiliary design, such as setting high-contrast alignment scale lines on the adjacent edges of the driven gear disk and the main body of the device for manual jogging fine-tuning alignment, or using a ball pawl positioning mechanism with spring preload.

[0044] A method for operating the weld seam removal device for the insert metal tube as described above, characterized by comprising the following steps: S1: Place the main body 1 of the device on the outside of the pipe to be processed, adjust the clamping mechanism 2 to fix the device to the outer wall of the pipe, and make the processing axis of the device automatically aligned with the axis of the pipe. S2: Operate the locking mechanism 5 to release its restriction on the movement of the cutting mechanism 3 and the transmission mechanism 4; S3: Start the power source, transmit power through the transmission mechanism 4 and drive the cutting mechanism 3 to rotate continuously around the clamped pipe to perform grinding or cutting operations on the pipe sleeve weld. S4: After the operation is completed, cut off the power source to stop the cutting mechanism 3 from rotating, reoperate the locking mechanism 5 to limit the malfunction of the cutting mechanism 3 and the transmission mechanism 4, then release the clamping mechanism 2 and remove the device from the pipe.

[0045] In this embodiment, by strictly controlling the sequence of steps—first, synchronous clamping and automatic centering; then, releasing the physical lock; followed by fully automatic circumferential cutting; and finally, in-situ relocking and disassembly—not only are the problems of cutting eccentricity and uneven depth caused by manual positioning errors in traditional handheld grinding operations eliminated, greatly improving the processing quality and maintenance efficiency of the insert weld, but also, by utilizing the locking mechanism for safe forced intervention during non-processing periods, the risks of equipment damage and personnel injury caused by accidental rotation of the cutter head during equipment handling, upper and lower pipe assembly, and standby states are fundamentally eliminated, significantly improving the level of safety standardization in special operations. During the operation, the operator or automated assembly robot first executes step S1, utilizing the modular or opening / closing characteristics of the main body of the device to be fitted onto the weld seam area of ​​the pipe to be processed, and applying external driving force to adjust the clamping mechanism. Mechanical linkage is used to force the geometric center of the pipe to coincide rigidly with the rotational cutting center of the device to establish a stable reference. Then, in step S2, the locking interference components that restrict the operation of the transmission and cutting mechanisms are moved out of their constraint positions by manual manipulation or system control, granting the power transmission system complete rotational freedom. Next, in step S3, a start command is issued to the built-in motor or other power source, and the power is transmitted via gearboxes, etc. The transmission network converts high-speed, low-torque into low-speed, high-torque, smoothly driving the cutting tool to continuously scrape or grind along a constant 360-degree trajectory around the rigidly clamped outer wall of the pipe until the weld height or cutting depth meets the process standards. Finally, in step S4, the power is cut off to completely stop the rotating parts, and the locking mechanism is forced to re-establish physical and mechanical interlock constraints to freeze all moving pairs. Finally, the clamping parts are released, and the completely stopped and controlled safety device is smoothly removed from the pipe, completing the closed loop of a single construction operation. In the clamping and centering stage of step S1, the specific operation is not limited to manually tightening the screw. Alternatively, it can be implemented by using a portable control terminal to start an external pneumatic pump or hydraulic station with a single button, using fluid pressure to instantly drive the grippers to close and complete automated stepless centering. In the unlocking and relocking steps of S2 and S4, this action can be completely independent of the processing steps and confirmed by manual mechanical intervention, or it can be deeply interlocked with the power start-stop logic of step S3 in the PLC or microcontroller control system for electrical and hardware safety, that is, to implement a fully automated foolproof strategy of "the control board drives the micro electromagnet to automatically pull out the pin to unlock before the motor is powered on and the spring energy is used to automatically lock the pin after the power is cut off and the machine is stopped and returned to zero".

[0046] The working principle of this embodiment is as follows: During preparation, the opening and closing module of the cutting mechanism is first unfolded, and the device is inserted into the pipe to be processed from the side and radial direction. After closing and locking, it is assembled into a complete ring gear disk and cutting track. Then, the clamping screw assembly of the clamping mechanism is adjusted to drive the two jaws on both sides to retract inward synchronously, so that the device firmly clamps the pipe wall and automatically achieves precise coaxial alignment between the processing axis and the pipe axis. During processing, the locking mechanism is released, and the servo motor built into the transmission mechanism is started. After the power is reduced and increased in torque by multi-stage gears, it drives the driven gear disk to drive the cutter head and the cutting tool to perform 360-degree continuous and stable circumferential grinding or cutting around the pipe weld. The cutting feed is precisely controlled by the feed dial and the lead screw and nut mechanism. During the operation, the overload protection mechanism monitors the force in real time to prevent overload. After the operation is completed, the reset and positioning module guides the gear disk to return to the initial origin accurately. The locking mechanism is operated to make the pin engage the slot to lock the moving parts safely. Finally, the jaws are released and the opening and closing module is opened again, so that the device can be quickly removed from the pipe. The whole process realizes efficient centering, stable cutting and safe reset in a narrow space.

[0047] The above are implementation methods provided in conjunction with specific content, and it is not intended that the specific implementation of this application is limited to these descriptions. Any methods or structures that are similar to those of this application, or any technical deductions or substitutions made based on the concept of this application, should be considered within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A weld seam removal device for a sleeved metal tube, characterized in that, The device includes a main body (1), a clamping mechanism (2) mounted on the main body (1) for fixing the device to the outer wall of the pipe to be processed and aligning the processing axis of the device with the axis of the pipe, a cutting mechanism (3) mounted on the main body (1) for grinding or cutting the weld seam of the pipe sleeve, a transmission mechanism (4) mounted on the main body (1) for transmitting power and driving the cutting mechanism (3) to rotate, and a locking mechanism (5) mounted on the main body (1) for preventing the cutting mechanism (3) and the transmission mechanism (4) from malfunctioning.

2. The weld seam removal device for the insert metal tube according to claim 1, characterized in that, The cutting mechanism (3) includes a main body module (31) and an opening and closing module (32) hinged to the main body module (31). One end of the main body module (31) is provided with a first limiting hole (311), and one end of the opening and closing module (32) is provided with a second limiting hole (321). When the opening and closing module (32) is unfolded, the device is sleeved on the outside of the pipe to be processed. When the opening and closing module (32) and the main body module (31) are closed, the first limiting hole (311) and the second limiting hole (321) are aligned and bolts pass through to achieve locking, thereby forming the cutting mechanism (3) with a complete cutting area.

3. The weld seam removal device for the insert metal tube according to claim 2, characterized in that, The cutting mechanism (3) further includes a driven gear disk assembly (33), a cutter head (34) connected to the driven gear disk assembly (33), and a cutter assembly (35) disposed on the cutter head (34). The driven gear disk assembly (33) and the cutter head (34) are divided into two parts, respectively disposed on the main body module (31) and the opening and closing module (32). When the opening and closing module (32) and the main body module (31) are closed and locked, the driven gear disk assembly (33) and the cutter head (34) are spliced ​​together to form the complete cutting mechanism (3) so as to receive the power transmitted by the transmission mechanism (4) and drive the cutting mechanism (3) to rotate as a whole.

4. The weld seam removal device for the insert metal tube according to claim 3, characterized in that, The tool assembly (35) includes a tool holder (351), a tool holder (352) movably mounted on the tool holder (351), a tool head (353) detachably connected to the tool holder (352), and a feed dial (354) mounted on the tool holder (351) and connected to the tool holder (352) via a screw and nut mechanism.

5. The weld seam removal device for the insert metal tube according to claim 2, characterized in that, The clamping mechanism (2) includes a jaw assembly (21) and a clamping screw assembly (22). When the opening and closing module (32) is opened and the device is sleeved on the outside of the pipe, the clamping screw assembly (22) is adjusted to drive the jaw assemblies (21) on both sides to move synchronously toward the pipe axis until they are completely attached to the outer wall of the pipe for fixation.

6. The weld seam removal device for the insert metal tube according to claim 5, characterized in that, The gripper assembly (21) includes a joint base (211), a first gripper (212) and a second gripper (213) that are hinged to both ends of the joint base (211) by fastening bolts. The top of the first gripper (212) and the second gripper (213) are respectively provided with a first limiting groove (2121) and a second limiting groove (2131). The main body (1) of the device is provided with a first positioning hole (11) and a second positioning hole (12) that correspond to the first limiting groove (2121) and the second limiting groove (2131) and allow fasteners to pass through.

7. The weld seam removal device for the insert metal tube according to claim 6, characterized in that, The clamping screw assembly (22) includes a rotating member (221) disposed on the main body (1) of the device, and a first threaded rod (222) and a second threaded rod (223) respectively connected to the first clamping arm (212) and the second clamping arm (213), wherein the first threaded rod (222) and the second threaded rod (223) are connected to the rotating member (221).

8. The weld seam removal device for the insert metal tube according to claim 3, characterized in that, The driven gear assembly (33) includes an upper driven gear (332) and a lower driven gear (333). The transmission mechanism (4) includes an internal meshing spur gear set (41), an external meshing spur gear set (42) connected to the internal meshing spur gear set (41), and a branch transmission gear set (43) meshing with the external meshing spur gear set (42). The branch transmission gear set (43) includes a lower branch gear (431) meshing with the lower driven gear (333) and used to transmit a larger torque to drive the cutting mechanism, and an upper branch gear (432) meshing with the upper driven gear (332) and used to increase stability and assist in resetting. The upper branch gear (432) is connected to the lower branch gear (431) and is coaxially arranged.

9. The weld seam removal device for the insert metal tube according to claim 8, characterized in that, The internal meshing spur gear set (41) includes a first gear (411) and a second gear (412) meshing with the inner ring of the first gear (411). The external meshing spur gear set (42) includes a third gear (421) and a fourth gear (422) meshing with the outer ring of the third gear (421). The third gear (421) is connected to and coaxially arranged with the first gear (411).

10. A method of operating the weld seam removal device for a sleeved metal tube as described in any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, Includes the following steps: S1: Place the main body of the device (1) on the outside of the pipe to be processed, adjust the clamping mechanism (2) to fix the device to the outer wall of the pipe, and make the processing axis of the device automatically aligned with the axis of the pipe; S2: Operate the locking mechanism (5) to release its restriction on the movement of the cutting mechanism (3) and the transmission mechanism (4); S3: Start the power source, transmit the power through the transmission mechanism (4) and drive the cutting mechanism (3) to rotate continuously around the clamped pipe, and perform grinding or cutting operations on the pipe sleeve weld. S4: After the operation is completed, cut off the power source to stop the cutting mechanism (3) from rotating, reoperate the locking mechanism (5) to limit the malfunction of the cutting mechanism (3) and the transmission mechanism (4), then release the clamping mechanism (2) and remove the device from the pipe.

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