Fixing tool for tube bundle welding

By using a modular positioning structure and a high thermal conductivity aluminum alloy material, the problems of insufficient positioning accuracy and poor support stability in tube bundle welding are solved, enabling rapid changeover and high-precision welding, and improving the adaptability of the equipment and the welding quality.

CN224209424UActive Publication Date: 2026-05-08SHANGHAI KING SUN COOLING EQUIP
View PDF 0 Cites 0 Cited by

Patent Information

Authority / Receiving Office
CN · China
Patent Type
Utility models(China)
Current Assignee / Owner
SHANGHAI KING SUN COOLING EQUIP
Filing Date
2025-07-23
Publication Date
2026-05-08

AI Technical Summary

Technical Problem

Existing technologies for tube bundle welding suffer from insufficient positioning accuracy, poor branch support stability, and limited tooling adaptability. In particular, thin-walled tube welding is prone to weld seam displacement and pipe wall indentation, and the tooling needs to be completely disassembled when changing product specifications.

Method used

It adopts a modular positioning structure, including a welding table, a fixing frame, a fixing block, a central tube bundle, and a positioning baffle. It achieves high-precision positioning through a triangular positioning structure, and utilizes the high thermal conductivity of aluminum alloy and the fan-shaped distribution of support points, combined with scale lines to achieve rapid changeover and standardized operation.

Benefits of technology

It improves the positioning accuracy of tube bundle welding and the stability of branch pipes, reduces weld seam offset and pipe wall indentation, simplifies the tooling change process, and improves equipment utilization and welding quality.

✦ Generated by Eureka AI based on patent content.

Smart Images

  • Figure CN224209424U_ABST
    Figure CN224209424U_ABST
Patent Text Reader

Abstract

The utility model provides a fixing tool for tube bundle welding, which comprises a welding table with a horizontally extending plane; a fixing frame and a fixing block; the central tube bundle and the positioning separation blades are uniformly distributed on the welding table in a fan shape; the positioning separation blade comprises a mounting part and a supporting part; the mounting part is fixedly connected with the welding table, and the supporting part abuts against the outer ring face of the central tube bundle and is used for positioning and supporting the branch tube when the branch tube is welded. Axial zero-clearance locking of the semi-annular main pipe is achieved through a triangular positioning structure of the two symmetrical fixing frames and the fixing blocks in cooperation with the horizontal bending ends at the two ends of the central pipe bundle. And compared with a traditional V-shaped block positioning mode, the positioning mode is firmer. Scale marks on the surface of the welding table form a polar coordinate reference net through scale positioning, the positioning blocking pieces are evenly distributed along the scales, when the pipe diameter specification is replaced, only the positioning blocking pieces need to be moved according to the scales, and the tool resetting time is shortened. The same tool can be matched with tube bundles with different tube diameter ranges, and the utilization rate of equipment is greatly improved.
Need to check novelty before this filing date? Find Prior Art

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of pipeline welding manufacturing technology, specifically a fixed tooling for pipe bundle welding, particularly suitable for circumferential welding scenarios involving multiple branch pipes and a central main pipe in petrochemical, energy equipment, and other industries. A modular positioning structure enables rapid clamping and high-precision alignment of the pipe bundle, solving the positional accuracy problem in complex piping system welding. Background Technology

[0002] In the manufacturing of large equipment such as pressure vessels and heat exchangers, tube bundle welding is a core process. These structures typically consist of a central main pipe and several radial branch pipes forming a ring-shaped tube bundle system. During welding, it is essential to ensure that all branch pipes maintain the same axial angle with the main pipe, are evenly distributed circumferentially, and that the weld gap meets process requirements. Traditional fixing methods have significant drawbacks:

[0003] 1. Insufficient positioning accuracy: When using simple V-blocks or general-purpose clamps to fix the central pipe, the radial displacement of the arc-shaped pipe section cannot be effectively constrained. Welding heat input causes thermal deformation of the main pipe, resulting in inaccurate positioning reference of the branch pipe, causing weld offset or even interference.

[0004] 2. Poor stability of branch pipe supports: Existing technologies mostly use point-type stops to fix each branch pipe individually, lacking a coordinated positioning mechanism with the curvature of the main pipe. The height of each stop needs to be manually adjusted, and the overhanging section at the end of the branch pipe is prone to sagging, leading to an increased rate of incomplete fusion defects at the weld root. Especially when welding thin-walled pipes, point loads can easily cause indentations in the pipe wall, requiring additional welding and grinding repairs.

[0005] 3. Limited tooling adaptability: Fixed stop blocks cannot adapt to pipe bundle systems with different pipe diameters. When changing product specifications, the entire tooling must be disassembled and reassembled, and repositioning the stop blocks relies on experience for positioning, without quantitative benchmarks.

[0006] To address the aforementioned issues, there is an urgent need to develop a welding fixture that combines high-precision positioning, adaptive support, and rapid changeover capabilities. Utility Model Content

[0007] This application provides a fixing fixture for tube bundle welding to solve the problems of insufficient positioning accuracy and poor stability of branch pipe support during welding in the prior art.

[0008] This application adopts the following technical solution: a fixing fixture for tube bundle welding, comprising:

[0009] A welding table having a horizontally extending plane;

[0010] The welding table has two fixing frames, which are symmetrically arranged at one end of the welding table.

[0011] A fixing block is located at the other end of the welding table;

[0012] The central tube bundle is semi-circular, and two fixing brackets and fixing blocks work together to fix the central tube bundle.

[0013] The positioning baffles are of several kinds and are evenly arranged in a fan shape on the welding table.

[0014] The positioning baffle includes an installation part and a support part; the installation part is fixed to the welding table, and the support part abuts against the outer ring surface of the central tube bundle to position and support the branch pipe during welding.

[0015] Preferably, the mounting part of the positioning baffle is fixed to the welding station by a set of screws.

[0016] Preferably, the mounting portion and the supporting portion of the positioning baffle are in an "L" shape that are perpendicular to each other.

[0017] Preferably, both ends of the central tube bundle are bent outward to form horizontal ends, and the horizontal ends abut against the fixing frame to position the central tube bundle.

[0018] Preferably, the mounting bracket is fixed to the welding station by two screws.

[0019] Preferably, the welding table is equipped with graduation lines.

[0020] Preferably, the positioning baffles are evenly distributed along the scale lines.

[0021] Preferably, the welding table, the fixing frame, and the positioning baffle are made of aluminum alloy.

[0022] The fixed tooling provided in this application systematically solves the industry pain points mentioned in the background art through structural innovative design, with the following specific effects:

[0023] Central tube bundle coordinated fixing mechanism: Through the triangular positioning structure of two symmetrical fixing frames and fixing blocks, combined with the horizontal bending ends at both ends of the central tube bundle, the axial zero-clearance locking of the semi-circular main tube is achieved, which is more reliable than the traditional V-block positioning method.

[0024] Thermal deformation compensation design: The aluminum alloy welding table and fixing frame have high thermal conductivity, which can quickly disperse the welding heat; at the same time, the fan-shaped distribution of the positioning baffles forms discrete support points, allowing the main pipe to expand freely in the circumferential direction when heated.

[0025] The "L"-shaped positioning baffle integrates two functions: the mounting part and the support part are designed perpendicularly, allowing the support part to naturally conform to the curvature of the outer ring surface of the central tube bundle. Surface contact support replaces point contact, increasing the contact area between the support part and the tube wall, thus improving the stability when welding the central tube bundle to the branch pipe.

[0026] Rapid changeover and standardized operation: The calibrated positioning system forms a polar coordinate reference network on the surface of the welding station, with positioning baffles evenly distributed along the scale. When changing pipe diameter specifications, only the positioning baffles need to be moved according to the scale, reducing tooling reset time. One tool can adapt to pipe bundles with different diameter ranges, and the fixing frame and positioning baffles are all connected to the welding station with screws, eliminating the need for special tools for disassembly and assembly, greatly improving equipment utilization. Attached Figure Description

[0027] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the accompanying drawings of the embodiments will be briefly described below. Obviously, the drawings described below only relate to some embodiments of this application, and are not intended to limit this application.

[0028] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the appearance of this application:

[0029] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this application;

[0030] Figure 3 It is in this application Figure 2 The left view.

[0031] Explanation of reference numerals in the attached figures:

[0032] 10. Welding station;

[0033] 20. Fixture; 21. Two screws; 22. Fixing block;

[0034] 30. Central tube bundle; 31. Horizontal end; 32. Branch tube;

[0035] 40. Positioning baffle; 41. Mounting part; 42. Support part; 43. One screw;

[0036] 50. Scale lines. Detailed Implementation

[0037] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of this application clearer, the application will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The components of the embodiments of this application described and shown in the accompanying drawings can generally be arranged and designed in various different configurations. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0038] It should be noted that similar labels and letters in the following figures indicate similar items. Therefore, once an item is defined in one figure, it does not need to be further defined and explained in subsequent figures.

[0039] Unless otherwise defined, the technical or scientific terms used in this patent document shall have the ordinary meaning understood by a person skilled in the art to which this application pertains. The terms "first," "second," and similar terms used in this patent specification and claims do not indicate any order, quantity, or importance, but are merely used to distinguish different components. Similarly, the terms "an," "a," or "the" do not indicate a quantity limitation, but rather indicate the presence of at least one. The terms "comprising" or "including" indicate that the element or object preceding "comprising" encompasses the element or object listed following "comprising" or its equivalents, and do not exclude other elements or objects. Terms such as "center," "upper," "lower," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "inner," and "outer" are used only to indicate relative positional relationships. When the absolute position of the described object changes, the relative positional relationship may also change accordingly. These terms are only for the convenience of describing this application and simplifying the description, and do not 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 application.

[0040] In the description of this application, it should be noted that, unless otherwise expressly specified and limited, the terms "installation," "connection," and "linking" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection between two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0041] The following detailed description of some embodiments of this application is provided in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Unless otherwise specified, features in the following embodiments can be combined with each other.

[0042] Example 1: Infrastructure Implementation

[0043] like Figures 1-3 As shown, this fixture includes a welding table 10, a fixing frame 20, a fixing block 22, a central tube bundle 30, a positioning baffle 40, and a scale line 50.

[0044] Assembly process and working principle of this tooling:

[0045] 1. Central tube bundle fixation:

[0046] First, place the central tube bundle 30 (semi-circular, made of S30408 ​​stainless steel) horizontally on the welding table 10. Its two horizontal ends 31 are then inserted into the symmetrically arranged fixing brackets 20. The fixing brackets 20 can be fitted with slots to ensure the central tube bundle 30 is securely fixed, depending on the actual clamping situation. Next, use screws 21 (GB / T70.1 M12) to tighten the fixing brackets 20 to one end of the welding table 10, while simultaneously using fixing blocks 22 to press against the middle of the tube bundle.

[0047] In this technical solution: compared with the existing technology, the traditional tooling requires 3 sets of V-blocks to fix the main pipe, with a cumulative positioning error of ±1.8mm; while this solution achieves axial self-positioning through the cooperation of the horizontal end 31 with the slot, and the error can be controlled within ±0.15mm, thus improving the positioning accuracy of the tube bundle.

[0048] 2. Positioning baffle positioning:

[0049] Based on the number of branch pipes (e.g., 6), read the position of the 30° division point on the scale line 50 of the welding table 10. Fix the mounting part 41 of the positioning baffle 40 to the scale point with screw 43 (M8×25).

[0050] Key innovation: The support part 42 with a height H=20mm is designed with an L-shaped shape. Its concave arc surface curvature R matches the outer diameter of the central tube bundle 30, forming a surface contact with a full circumferential wrap angle of 15°.

[0051] Compared to the point-type stops used in traditional welding, where the height of each stop needs to be adjusted individually (with an error of ±2mm), this solution achieves "precise positioning upon placement" through prefabricated curvature.

[0052] 3. Branch pipe welding operation:

[0053] The branch pipe 32 is placed between adjacent positioning baffles 40, and the weld gap between its end and the central pipe bundle 30 is automatically maintained at 2.5±0.3mm. The branch pipe 32 is then spot welded.

[0054] Deformation resistance verification: During welding, the central tube bundle 30 expands due to heat, pushing the positioning baffle 40 to move slightly outward. Screw 43 is stressed in the elongated hole of the mounting part 41, releasing radial stress. This reduces the amount of weld shrinkage deformation.

[0055] Example 2: Optimization of Thin-Walled Tube Welding Scenarios

[0056] For thin-walled stainless steel tube bundles with δ=1.5mm, an adaptive improvement was made based on Example 1 as a further preferred implementation method:

[0057] 1. Upgraded positioning baffle:

[0058] The surface of the support part 42 is covered with a polytetrafluoroethylene pad, which reduces the coefficient of friction to 0.05 and avoids scratching the pipe wall.

[0059] The sector angle was reduced from 30° to 20°, the number of support points was increased (18 sets), and the single-point load decreased by 55%. 2. Quick changeover operation:

[0060] When replacing the tube bundle or changing the welding position of branch pipe 32, the operating procedures are as follows:

[0061] a. Loosen screw 43, move the positioning baffle 40 outward along the scale line 50, select the position of the branch pipe 32, and change the position of the positioning baffle 40 according to the scale line 50. Tighten screw 43 again to complete the assembly of the tooling.

[0062] b. When the diameter of the central tube bundle 30 changes, replace the positioning baffle 40 with one of different curvatures, adjust the position of the fixing bracket 20, and tighten the screw 21.

[0063] Example 3: Application of ultra-large tube bundle welding

[0064] For heavy-duty tube bundles with large diameters and dozens of branch pipes, the following reinforcement schemes are implemented:

[0065] 1. Structural reinforcement design:

[0066] The welding table 10 is made of 7075 aluminum alloy (tensile strength σb≥560MPa), and can be reinforced with grid-shaped ribs inside, increasing its rigidity to twice that of ordinary steel platforms.

[0067] Meanwhile, the fixing bracket 20 can be upgraded to a double screw locking structure to increase the shear resistance of the component.

[0068] 2. Thermal Management Innovation:

[0069] Cooling water channels can be opened in the support part 42 of the positioning baffle 40, and circulating water can be introduced to control the welding temperature to ≤120℃, thereby reducing the deformation of the tube bundle when it is heated and keeping it within a controllable range so as not to affect the welding quality.

[0070] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A fixing fixture for tube bundle welding, characterized in that, include: A welding table having a horizontally extending plane; The fixing frame has two, and the two fixing frames are symmetrically arranged at one end of the welding table; A fixing block is located at the other end of the welding station; The central tube bundle is semi-circular, and the two fixing frames and fixing blocks cooperate to fix the central tube bundle. A plurality of positioning baffles are evenly distributed along a fan shape on the welding table; The positioning baffle includes an installation part and a support part; the installation part is fixedly connected to the welding table, and the support part abuts against the outer ring surface of the central tube bundle to position and support the branch pipe during welding.

2. The fixture for tube bundle welding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The mounting part of the positioning baffle is fixed to the welding table by a set of screws.

3. The fixture for tube bundle welding according to claim 2, characterized in that, The mounting portion and the supporting portion of the positioning baffle are perpendicular to each other in an "L" shape.

4. The fixture for tube bundle welding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The two ends of the central tube bundle are bent outward to form horizontal ends, which abut against the fixing frame to position the central tube bundle.

5. The fixture for tube bundle welding according to claim 4, characterized in that, The mounting bracket is fixed to the welding table by two screws.

6. The fixture for tube bundle welding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The welding platform is equipped with graduation lines.

7. The fixture for tube bundle welding according to claim 6, characterized in that, The positioning baffles are evenly distributed along the scale lines.

8. The fixture for tube bundle welding according to claim 1, characterized in that, The welding table, fixing frame, and positioning baffle are made of aluminum alloy.