An inside and outside diameter measuring instrument for nickel-based alloy seamless steel pipes

Abstract

This invention provides an inner and outer diameter measuring instrument for nickel-based alloy seamless steel pipes, relating to the field of seamless steel pipe measurement technology. It includes a base with a conveyor and a measuring mechanism mounted on it. The measuring mechanism comprises a lifting component, inner and outer diameter measuring components, and a positioning and lifting component. The lifting component is in transmission cooperation with both the inner and outer diameter measuring components and the positioning and lifting component. During its lifting stroke, the lifting component synchronously drives the inner and outer diameter measuring components to extend into or retract from their measuring positions, and synchronously drives the positioning and lifting component to perform centering and lifting actions on the seamless steel pipe. This invention achieves mechanical linkage of positioning, lifting, and measurement actions through a single lifting component, simplifying the equipment structure, eliminating the waiting gaps caused by the sequential operation of functional modules in traditional equipment, effectively shortening the cycle time of a single measurement, and improving batch inspection efficiency.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of seamless steel pipe measurement technology, and in particular to an instrument for measuring the inner and outer diameters of nickel-based alloy seamless steel pipes. Background Technology

[0002] Nickel-based alloy seamless steel pipes are widely used in key fields such as aerospace, nuclear energy, and petrochemicals due to their excellent high-temperature resistance and corrosion resistance. During their production, the accuracy of the inner and outer diameter dimensions is a core indicator of product quality, directly affecting the safety and sealing of subsequent assembly.

[0003] Currently, the measurement of the inner and outer diameters of seamless steel pipes, especially in batch inspection scenarios, generally employs semi-automatic or manually assisted methods. A common existing measurement process involves: after the steel pipe is manually or via a simple conveying device to the measurement station, it needs to be centered and positioned using an additional clamping mechanism. Then, a measuring probe (such as a laser rangefinder or contact gauge) is inserted into the pipe or moved to the outer wall for inspection. After measurement, all mechanisms must be reset sequentially, and the finished product is then removed manually or by another set of mechanisms.

[0004] While this measurement mode achieves a degree of mechanization, the various functional modules (positioning mechanism, lifting mechanism, measuring mechanism) are typically independent of each other, each controlled by its own independent drive element (such as multiple cylinders or motors). This not only results in a cumbersome equipment structure and complex control logic, but more importantly, because each action needs to be performed in a strict sequence (positioning—lifting—measuring—resetting—unloading), the auxiliary waiting time for a single measurement is too long, making it difficult to meet the high-efficiency, fast-paced production demands of modern manufacturing.

[0005] Therefore, it is necessary to propose an instrument for measuring the inner and outer diameters of nickel-based alloy seamless steel pipes. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This invention provides an inner and outer diameter measuring instrument for nickel-based alloy seamless steel pipes, comprising a base, on which a conveyor for transporting the seamless steel pipes and a measuring mechanism are mounted, characterized in that: The measuring mechanism includes a lifting component, an inner and outer diameter measuring assembly mounted on the lifting component, and a positioning and lifting assembly for centering, positioning, and lifting the seamless steel pipe before measurement. The lifting component is respectively driven by the inner and outer diameter measuring component and the positioning and lifting component; During its lifting stroke, the lifting component synchronously drives the inner and outer diameter measuring components to extend into or retract from the inner and outer diameter measuring positions of the seamless steel pipe, and synchronously drives the positioning and lifting components to perform centering, positioning and lifting actions on the seamless steel pipe.

[0007] Preferably, the lifting component includes an electric telescopic rod fixed to the base, and a first piston block is provided at the top end of the output rod of the electric telescopic rod. A curved rod for connecting the inner and outer diameter measuring components is provided on the first piston block.

[0008] Preferably, the inner and outer diameter measuring assembly includes a motor installed on the driving end of the lifting component, a connecting frame is provided on the output shaft of the motor, and two laser rangefinders are fixedly connected to the connecting frame; the lifting component drives the motor to descend, and the two laser rangefinders extend into the inner and outer diameter measuring positions of the seamless steel pipe, and measure the inner and outer diameters by rotation.

[0009] Preferably, the positioning and lifting assembly includes a lifting mechanism and a pneumatic transmission unit for driving the lifting mechanism; the lifting mechanism includes two positioning plates respectively disposed on both sides of the conveyor, and the positioning plates are provided with lifting blocks for lifting the seamless steel pipe; When the lifting component moves, the two positioning plates move closer or further apart due to changes in air pressure.

[0010] Preferably, the pneumatic transmission unit includes a fixed cylinder covered outside the lifting component and a pressure control component fixedly mounted on the base. The bottom end of the fixed cylinder is fixedly connected to the base, and the first piston block on the electric telescopic rod is slidably connected to the inner wall of the fixed cylinder. The fixed cylinder and the pressure control component are connected through a connecting pipe.

[0011] Preferably, the pressure control component includes a pressure control tube and an air cylinder connected to it via a connecting pipe. A second piston block is slidably disposed inside the pressure control tube, and a piston rod fixedly connected to the positioning plate is slidably disposed inside the air cylinder. When the lifting component descends, the second piston block is driven to move by gas pressure, thereby pushing the piston rod and the positioning plate to move.

[0012] Preferably, one end of the pressure control tube is also provided with an air storage cylinder, and a third piston block and a spring are slidably connected inside the air storage cylinder, with the two ends of the spring abutting against the inner wall of one end of the air storage cylinder and the third piston block, respectively.

[0013] Preferably, the base is further provided with a unloading mechanism, which includes a support frame disposed at the discharge end of the conveyor. Two unloading frames and a driving component for driving the two unloading frames are rotatably disposed on the support frame. The driving component is connected to the two unloading frames through a gear set. The two unloading frames are driven to switch between unloading state and interception state. In the unloading state, one unloading frame intercepts the steel pipe to be tested by rotating, and the other unloading frame opens the unloading channel by rotating.

[0014] Preferably, one of the unloading racks is provided with a retractable extension plate and bolts for limiting the extension plate, thereby adjusting the blocking range of the steel pipe.

[0015] The present invention provides an inner and outer diameter measuring instrument for nickel-based alloy seamless steel pipes. By setting a lifting component as the sole power source and having it drive and cooperate with the inner and outer diameter measuring components and the positioning and lifting components respectively, a "one-drive-multiple-action" mechanical linkage is achieved. Compared with the cumbersome structure of the prior art that requires multiple independent drive elements (such as multiple cylinders or motors) to control the positioning, lifting and measuring actions respectively, the number of drive sources and the complexity of the transmission mechanism are greatly reduced, making the entire equipment structure simpler and easier to maintain. The core advantage of this invention is that during one descent stroke, the lifting component simultaneously drives the positioning and lifting assembly to center and lift the steel pipe, while simultaneously driving the inner and outer diameter measuring assembly to extend into the measuring position. During one ascending stroke, the measuring assembly is simultaneously withdrawn and the steel pipe is released. This linkage design ensures that the positioning, lifting and measuring actions are closely connected or even overlapped in time, completely eliminating the waiting gaps caused by the sequential actions of each functional module in traditional equipment, thereby minimizing the auxiliary time for a single measurement. Integrating a conveyor, positioning and lifting components, inner and outer diameter measuring components, and unloading mechanism, along with the linkage control of the lifting components, it achieves full automation from loading, positioning, lifting, measurement, reset to unloading. The entire measurement process requires no manual assistance in positioning or operation of the measuring probe, which not only reduces the labor intensity of operators but also avoids the impact of inconsistent human operation on the measurement results, thus facilitating the realization of unmanned or minimally manned intelligent production workshops. Attached Figure Description

[0016] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in this invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of this invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained from these drawings without creative effort.

[0017] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the invention from the left perspective; Figure 2 This is a partial cross-sectional view of the invention from the left perspective; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the overall structure of the invention from the right perspective; Figure 4 This is a diagram illustrating the measuring mechanism in this invention; Figure 5 This is an enlarged view of the pneumatic transmission unit and its partial structure of the present invention; Figure 6 This is a first illustration of the unloading structure of the present invention; Figure 7 This is a second illustration of the unloading structure of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a top view schematic diagram of the unloading mechanism and the conveyor of the present invention.

[0018] Reference numerals: 1. Base; 2. Conveyor; 3. Lifting component; 31. Electric telescopic rod; 32. First piston block; 33. Curved rod; 4. Inner and outer diameter measuring assembly; 41. Motor; 42. Connecting frame; 43. Laser rangefinder; 5. Lifting assembly; 51. Fixed cylinder; 52. Pressure control tube; 521. Second piston block; 522. Air storage cylinder; 523. Spring; 524. Third piston block; 53. Air cylinder; 54. Piston rod; 55. Positioning plate; 56. Lifting block; 6. Unloading mechanism; 61. Support frame; 62. Driving component; 63. Unloading rack; 631. Extension plate; 632. Bolt. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this invention clearer, the technical solutions of this 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 this invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this invention without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this invention.

[0020] Please see Figures 1-8 This invention provides a technical solution: an inner and outer diameter measuring instrument for nickel-based alloy seamless steel pipes, comprising a base 1, a conveyor 2 for conveying seamless steel pipes, and a measuring mechanism for measuring the pipe diameter (inner and outer diameter). The measuring mechanism consists of a lifting component 3, an inner and outer diameter measuring assembly 4, and a positioning and lifting assembly 5. The lifting component 3 is driven by the inner and outer diameter measuring components 4 and the positioning and lifting components 5 respectively. When the lifting component 3 moves in its lifting stroke, it can not only directly drive the inner and outer diameter measuring components 4 to extend into or out of the inner and outer diameter measuring positions of the seamless steel pipe, but also synchronously drive the positioning and lifting components 5, so that it performs centering, positioning and lifting of the seamless steel pipe along with the measuring action. This design makes the positioning, lifting and measuring actions highly overlapped in time, eliminating the waiting gap between each action in traditional equipment and shortening the measurement cycle of a single steel pipe.

[0021] The lifting component 3 includes an electric telescopic rod 31 (including but not limited to electric telescopic rod 31, hydraulic telescopic rod, and other telescopic structures) fixed on the base 1. The top of the output rod of the electric telescopic rod 31 is provided with a first piston block 32. A curved rod 33 is fixed on the first piston block 32. The curved rod 33 is used to connect the inner and outer diameter measuring components 4 and provide a base for its installation and movement.

[0022] The inner and outer diameter measuring component 4 includes a motor 41 mounted on a curved rod 33. A connecting frame 42 is provided on the output shaft of the motor 41, and two laser rangefinders 43 are fixedly connected to the connecting frame 42. When the electric telescopic rod 31 drives the motor 41 to descend, the two laser rangefinders 43 will extend into the interior of the seamless steel pipe. Then the motor 41 starts, driving the connecting frame 42 and the laser rangefinders 43 to rotate one revolution. By collecting data from multiple points, the inner and outer diameters of the steel pipe can be accurately calculated.

[0023] The positioning and lifting assembly 5 includes a lifting mechanism and a pneumatic transmission unit. The lifting mechanism includes two positioning plates 55 respectively set on both sides of the conveyor 2. Each positioning plate 55 is provided with a lifting block 56 (triangular in shape) for lifting the seamless steel pipe. The pneumatic transmission unit is used to convert the linear motion of the lifting component 3 into a clamping force that drives the two positioning plates 55 to move closer or further apart. The unit includes a fixed cylinder 51 covered by the electric telescopic rod 31 and a pressure control component fixed on the base 1. The bottom end of the fixed cylinder 51 is sealed to the base 1. The first piston block 32 slides with the inner wall of the fixed cylinder 51 to form a piston chamber. The fixed cylinder 51 and the pressure control component are connected through a connecting pipe. When the electric telescopic rod 31 descends, the first piston block 32 moves downward, the air pressure in the inner cavity of the fixed cylinder 51 increases and affects the pressure control component through the connecting pipe, thereby driving the positioning plate 55 and the lifting block 56 to move.

[0024] The pressure control components include a pressure control pipe 52 and an air cylinder 53. A second piston block 521 is slidably disposed inside the pressure control pipe 52, and a piston rod 54 fixedly connected to the positioning plate 55 is slidably disposed inside the air cylinder 53. When the lifting component 3 descends, causing a change in air pressure, the second piston block 521 moves, thereby pushing the piston rod 54 inside the air cylinder 53. This ultimately drives the positioning plate 55 and the lifting block 56 to center the steel pipe from both sides and lift it away from the conveyor 2, preparing for measurement. To buffer air pressure fluctuations, an air storage cylinder 522 can also be installed at one end of the pressure control pipe 52. The cylinder contains a spring 523 and a third piston block 524 to stabilize the system pressure.

[0025] The base 1 is also equipped with a discharge mechanism 6, which includes a support frame 61 located at the discharge end of the conveyor 2. Two discharge frames 63 and a drive component 62 (the drive component 62 is a hydraulic cylinder) are rotatably mounted on the support frame 61. Two meshing drive gears are rotatably mounted on the support frame 61, and each of the two discharge frames 63 has a driven gear on its shaft. The two driven gears mesh with the two drive gears respectively. The shaft of one of the drive gears is hinged to the same connecting arm with the output rod of the drive component, thus forming a gear set. The drive component 62 is driven by the gear set. It is connected to two unloading racks 63. Before measurement, both unloading racks 63 are in an interception state to prevent the steel pipe from slipping. After measurement, the drive unit 62 drives the two unloading racks 63 to rotate. One unloading rack 63 maintains or strengthens the interception to prevent subsequent steel pipes from entering the measurement area. The other unloading rack 63 rotates to open the unloading channel, allowing the measured steel pipe to slide out and achieve orderly unloading. The position of the extension plate 631 can be adjusted by turning the bolt 632. By adjusting the position of the extension plate 631, different specifications of seamless steel pipes to be measured can be blocked. The lifting mechanism enables mechanical linkage between positioning, lifting, and measurement actions. Combined with the automatic unloading mechanism, this simplifies the equipment structure, optimizes the action sequence, and greatly improves the batch testing efficiency of the inner and outer diameters of nickel-based alloy seamless steel pipes.

[0026] Working principle: When the seamless steel pipe is conveyed to the measuring station by the conveyor 2, the control system issues a measuring command. The electric telescopic rod 31 drives the first piston block 32 to move downward. The first piston block 32 slides downward in the fixed cylinder 51, compressing the gas inside the fixed cylinder 51. The gas enters the pressure control system through the connecting pipe. At this time, the gas pressure pushes the second piston block 521 in the pressure control tube 52 to move, which in turn pushes the piston rod 54 in the air cylinder 53 to move. The piston rod 54 drives the two positioning plates 55 to approach each other along both sides of the conveyor 2. During the approach process, the positioning plates 55 first perform radial centering positioning on the steel pipe, and then the lifting block 56 on the positioning plate lifts the steel pipe from the surface of the conveyor 2, thereby achieving stable and precise limitation. At the same time, the electric telescopic rod 31 directly drives the inner and outer diameter measuring components 4 to descend vertically through the curved rod 33. When the steel pipe is raised to the preset height, the two laser rangefinders 43 on the front connecting frame 42 of the motor 41 just extend into the center of the steel pipe. At this time, the motor 41 starts and drives the connecting frame 42 to rotate one revolution. During this process, the two laser rangefinders 43 scan the inner and outer walls of the steel pipe at multiple points. By processing the collected distance data, the precise inner and outer diameters of the steel pipe can be calculated. After the measurement is completed, the electric telescopic rod 31 drives the first piston block 32 to move upward. The rise of the first piston block 32 creates a negative pressure inside the fixed cylinder 51. Through pneumatic transmission, the second piston block 521 and piston rod 54 are driven to reset, causing the two positioning plates 55 to move away from each other. The steel pipe that has been measured is released back onto the conveyor 2. As the lifting component 3 rises, the inner and outer diameter measuring components 4 simultaneously exit from inside the steel pipe and return to the initial high position. At this time, the drive unit 62 of the unloading mechanism 6 drives the two unloading racks 63 to rotate through the gear set, switching to the unloading state. One unloading rack 63 keeps blocking the subsequent steel pipe, while the other unloading rack 63 opens the channel, allowing the measured steel pipe to slide out smoothly under the force of gravity or the conveyor, completing the unloading. Then, the unloading rack 63 resets, and the next steel pipe enters the station to start the next cycle.

[0027] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present invention, and not to limit them; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that modifications can still be made to the technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or equivalent substitutions can be made to some of the technical features; and these modifications or substitutions do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.

Claims

1. An internal and external diameter measuring instrument for nickel-based alloy seamless steel pipes, comprising: A base (1), on which a conveyor (2) for conveying seamless steel pipes and a measuring mechanism are provided, characterized in that: The measuring mechanism includes a lifting component (3), an inner and outer diameter measuring component (4) set on the lifting component (3), and a positioning and lifting component (5) for centering, positioning and lifting the seamless steel pipe before measurement. The lifting component (3) is in transmission cooperation with the inner and outer diameter measuring component (4) and the positioning and lifting component (5); During the lifting stroke, the lifting component (3) synchronously drives the inner and outer diameter measuring component (4) to extend into or out of the inner and outer diameter measuring position of the seamless steel pipe, and synchronously drives the positioning and lifting component (5) to perform centering and lifting actions on the seamless steel pipe.

2. The inner and outer diameter measuring instrument for nickel-based alloy seamless steel pipes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The lifting component (3) includes an electric telescopic rod (31) fixed on the base (1). The top of the output rod of the electric telescopic rod (31) is provided with a first piston block (32). The first piston block (32) is provided with a curved rod (33) for connecting the inner and outer diameter measuring components (4).

3. The inner and outer diameter measuring instrument for nickel-based alloy seamless steel pipes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The inner and outer diameter measuring component (4) includes a motor (41) installed on the drive end of the lifting component (3). A connecting frame (42) is provided on the output shaft of the motor (41). Two laser rangefinders (43) are fixedly connected on the connecting frame (42). The lifting component (3) drives the motor (41) to descend, and the two laser rangefinders (43) extend into the inner and outer diameter measuring positions of the seamless steel pipe and measure the inner and outer diameters by rotation.

4. The inner and outer diameter measuring instrument for nickel-based alloy seamless steel pipes according to claim 1, characterized in that, The positioning and lifting assembly (5) includes a lifting mechanism and a pneumatic transmission unit for driving the lifting mechanism; the lifting mechanism includes two positioning plates (55) respectively disposed on both sides of the conveyor (2), and the positioning plates (55) are provided with lifting blocks (56) for lifting seamless steel pipes. When the lifting component (3) moves, the two positioning plates (55) are driven to move closer or further apart by changes in air pressure.

5. The inner and outer diameter measuring instrument for nickel-based alloy seamless steel pipes according to claim 4, characterized in that, The pneumatic transmission unit includes a fixed cylinder (51) covered outside the lifting component (3) and a pressure control component fixedly installed on the base (1). The bottom end of the fixed cylinder (51) is fixedly connected to the base (1). The first piston block (32) on the electric telescopic rod (31) is slidably connected to the inner wall of the fixed cylinder (51). The fixed cylinder (51) and the pressure control component are connected through a connecting pipe.

6. The inner and outer diameter measuring instrument for nickel-based alloy seamless steel pipes according to claim 5, characterized in that, The pressure control component includes a pressure control tube (52) and an air cylinder (53) connected to it via a connecting pipe. A second piston block (521) is slidably disposed inside the pressure control tube (52), and a piston rod (54) fixedly connected to the positioning plate (55) is slidably disposed inside the air cylinder (53). When the lifting component (3) descends, the second piston block (521) is driven to move by gas pressure, thereby pushing the piston rod (54) and the positioning plate (55) to move.

7. The inner and outer diameter measuring instrument for nickel-based alloy seamless steel pipes according to claim 6, characterized in that, One end of the pressure control tube (52) is also provided with an air storage cylinder (522). A third piston block (524) and a spring (523) are slidably connected inside the air storage cylinder (522). The two ends of the spring (523) abut against the inner wall of one end of the air storage cylinder (522) and the third piston block (524), respectively.

8. The inner and outer diameter measuring instrument for nickel-based alloy seamless steel pipes according to claim 5, characterized in that, The base (1) is also provided with a unloading mechanism (6). The unloading mechanism (6) includes a support frame (61) provided at the discharge end of the conveyor (2). Two unloading frames (63) and a drive component (62) for driving the two unloading frames (63) are rotatably provided on the support frame (61). The drive component (62) is connected to the two unloading frames (63) through a gear set. The two unloading frames (63) are driven to switch between unloading state and interception state. In the unloading state, one unloading frame (63) intercepts the steel pipe to be tested by rotating, and the other unloading frame (63) opens the unloading channel by rotating.

9. The inner and outer diameter measuring instrument for nickel-based alloy seamless steel pipes according to claim 8, characterized in that, One of the unloading racks (63) is equipped with a retractable extension plate (631) and bolts (632) for limiting the extension plate (631), thereby adjusting the blocking range of the steel pipe.

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