Pipe elbow welding auxiliary tool

Abstract

The application discloses a pipeline elbow welding auxiliary tool, which comprises a ring-shaped support, an open end for pipeline entering is arranged on one side of the ring-shaped support in the radial direction, a plurality of movable components are movably arranged along the radial direction of the ring-shaped support, a plurality of supporting components correspond to the plurality of movable components one by one and are floatingly installed on the side of the movable components away from the ring-shaped support, and a clamping component comprises a connecting arm and a clamping device, the other end of the connecting arm extends away from the ring-shaped support and is movably arranged relative to the ring-shaped support, and the clamping device is installed on the other end of the connecting arm and is used for clamping the elbow. Different diameter straight pipes are used by adjusting the movable components, the straight pipe sections are fixed and supported by the supporting components, the elbow is clamped by the clamping component, the position of the connecting arm is adjusted to accurately butt the elbow with the straight pipe section, the elbow is convenient to disassemble and install, the working efficiency is greatly improved, damage to the pipeline surface is not caused, the pipeline is not dependent on power equipment, and the pipeline is small in size and convenient to carry.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application belongs to the field of pipeline welding technology, and in particular relates to an auxiliary tooling for welding pipeline elbows. Background Technology

[0002] The marine shipping economy continues to improve. Compared to other land or air transport, ships have advantages such as larger carrying capacity, lower cost, longer range, and lower cargo damage rate. Therefore, the global demand for steel seagoing vessels is increasing daily. In the shipbuilding process, piping systems play a crucial role. A large number of pipes require welding, and marine piping structures are complex, with numerous specifications and models. Automated welding of non-standard and irregularly shaped pipes is difficult, and manual welding remains the mainstream method for marine piping. For welding elbows in marine piping, achieving precise alignment between the elbow and the pipe is challenging, making it difficult to control welding accuracy. Utility Model Content

[0003] This application aims to address at least one of the technical problems existing in the prior art. To this end, this application proposes an auxiliary tooling for welding pipe elbows, which can achieve precise connection between elbows and pipes without relying on electrical equipment, thereby improving welding accuracy.

[0004] This application provides an auxiliary tooling for welding pipe elbows, including: The annular support has an opening on one radial side for pipe entry; Multiple movable components are installed at intervals along the circumference of the annular bracket on the inner side of the annular bracket, and are movably arranged along the radial direction of the annular bracket. Multiple support components correspond one-to-one with multiple movable components. The support components are located inside the annular bracket and are floatingly installed on the side of the movable component away from the annular bracket. The multiple support components are used to support the periphery of the pipeline. A clamping assembly includes a connecting arm and a clamping device. One end of the connecting arm is mounted on an annular bracket, and the other end of the connecting arm extends away from the annular bracket and is movably disposed relative to the annular bracket. The clamping device is mounted on the other end of the connecting arm and is used to clamp the elbow.

[0005] According to the auxiliary tooling for welding pipe elbows of this application, straight pipes of different diameters can be used by adjusting the movable component, supported and fixed on the straight pipe section by the support component, and the elbow can be clamped by the clamping component. The position of the connecting arm can be adjusted to make the elbow and the straight pipe section accurately connected. Disassembly and installation are convenient, greatly improving work efficiency, and it is not easy to damage the pipe surface. It does not rely on electrical equipment and is small in size and easy to carry.

[0006] According to one embodiment of this application, the active component includes: The movable plate is movably installed inside the ring-shaped bracket; The guide post is fixedly connected to the movable plate at one end and passes through the annular bracket radially at the other end. The guide post is movably set radially along the annular bracket, and the annular bracket is provided with a locking element that locks into the guide post.

[0007] According to one embodiment of this application, the movable component further includes at least one guide rail, one end of which is fixedly connected to the movable plate, and the other end of which passes through the annular bracket radially. The guide rail is movably arranged radially along the annular bracket, and the outer peripheral wall of the guide rail is provided with scale markings. The movable plate is an elongated structure extending along the axial direction of the annular support, and guide columns and guide rails are spaced apart along the length of the movable plate.

[0008] According to one embodiment of this application, the support assembly includes a support plate, one side of which is floatingly connected to the movable assembly via an elastic element, and the side of the support plate facing away from the movable assembly is used to support the outer peripheral wall of the pipeline.

[0009] According to one embodiment of this application, the support plate is provided with multiple pairs of rollers and friction elements on the side away from the movable component. The rollers are rotatably arranged around an axis parallel to the axis of the annular bracket. The multiple pairs of rollers are spaced apart along the axial direction of the annular bracket. The friction elements are movably mounted on the support plate and are used for friction and limiting with the outer peripheral wall of the pipeline.

[0010] According to one embodiment of this application, the friction element is an airbag, and an inflatable element is installed on the annular bracket. The inflatable element is connected to the airbag through an air tube. The airbag is inflated by the inflatable element so that the airbag expands and rubs against the outer peripheral wall of the tube.

[0011] According to one embodiment of this application, the support plate is an elongated shape extending along the axial direction of the annular bracket. Guide ribs are provided on both sides of the support plate in the width direction. One end of the guide rib is connected to the side of the support plate in the width direction, and the other end extends obliquely away from the axis of the annular bracket.

[0012] According to one embodiment of this application, the connecting arm includes a plurality of arm segments connected sequentially, the arm segments including: The shaft has a ball at one end; The tank body has a spherical groove inside, and the spherical part is movably set inside the spherical groove; The other end of the rod is connected to the groove of the adjacent arm section. The groove of the arm section located near the annular support is fixedly connected to the annular support. The rod of the arm section located near the clamping device is fixedly connected to the clamping device.

[0013] According to one embodiment of this application, the outer peripheral wall of the groove is provided with an adjusting member that extends into the spherical groove, and the adjusting member is used to adjust the locking force of the groove on the ball.

[0014] According to one embodiment of this application, the clamping device includes: The gripper includes a connecting part and two opposing clamping arms. One side of the connecting part is connected to the connecting arm, and the two clamping arms are mounted on the side of the connecting part away from the connecting arm. Two clamping elements are movably mounted on two clamping arms, and the clamping elements are movably set in the direction of approaching and moving away from the other clamping arm. The clamping elements are used to clamp the outer peripheral wall of the elbow.

[0015] Additional aspects and advantages of this application will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of this application. Attached Figure Description

[0016] The above and / or additional aspects and advantages of this application will become apparent and readily understood from the description of the embodiments taken in conjunction with the following drawings, in which: Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the assembly structure of the auxiliary tooling for welding pipe elbows provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the auxiliary tooling for welding pipe elbows provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 3 This is another structural schematic diagram of the auxiliary tooling for welding pipe elbows provided in the embodiments of this application; Figure 4 This is a partial structural schematic diagram of the auxiliary tooling for welding pipe elbows provided in an embodiment of this application; Figure 5 This is another structural schematic diagram of the auxiliary tooling for welding pipe elbows provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0017] Figure label: 1. Elbow; 2. Auxiliary tooling for welding pipe elbows; 3. Pipeline; 201. Circular support; 202. Locking component; 203. Guide rod; 204. Guide rail; 205. Movable plate; 206. Elastic component; 207. Support plate; 208. Roller; 209. Airbag; 210. Airbag inflation port; 211. Guide rib; 212. Inflatable component; 213. Tank; 214. Rod; 215. Clamping device. Detailed Implementation

[0018] The embodiments of this application are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this application, and should not be construed as limiting this application.

[0019] The following is for reference. Figures 1-5 This application describes auxiliary tooling for welding pipe elbows according to embodiments of the present application.

[0020] Please see Figures 1-4 This application provides an auxiliary tooling 2 for welding pipe elbows.

[0021] The auxiliary tooling 2 for welding pipe elbows includes: an annular support 201, multiple movable components, multiple support components, and a clamping assembly. The annular support 201 has an opening on one radial side for the pipe 3 to enter. Multiple movable components are spaced apart circumferentially on the inner side of the annular support 201 and are movably arranged radially. Multiple support components correspond one-to-one with the multiple movable components, located inside the annular support 201 and floating on the side of the movable components away from the annular support 201. These support components support the pipe 3 around its periphery. The clamping assembly includes a connecting arm and a clamping device 215. One end of the connecting arm is mounted on the annular support 201, and the other end extends away from the annular support 201 and is movably arranged relative to it. The clamping device 215 is mounted on the other end of the connecting arm and is used to clamp the elbow 1.

[0022] The annular support 201 is the basic support structure of the entire tooling. Its specific construction includes multiple C-shaped ring frames and multiple longitudinal beams. The ring frames are spaced apart axially, and the longitudinal beams connect them into a single unit, ensuring sufficient structural strength and stability for the annular support 201. The openings in the C-shaped ring frames serve as access points for the pipe 3. This opening allows the pipe 3 to be inserted directly from the radial side of the annular support 201 without needing to pass through either end axially, significantly simplifying the installation process. The number of longitudinal beams corresponds to the number of movable components, which are installed at the corresponding positions on the longitudinal beams. This layout ensures more stable installation of the movable components while guaranteeing even stress distribution on the annular support 201, thus improving overall structural stability.

[0023] The movable components are installed circumferentially on the inner side of the annular bracket 201 and are radially movable. The number of movable components is not specifically limited; two, three, four, or more can be provided. For example, with three components, evenly distributed circumferentially along the annular bracket 201, a stable three-point support adjustment can be achieved for the pipe 3. The movable nature of the components is key to adapting to pipes 3 of different diameters. These components can employ a screw-slider structure, a telescopic rod structure, etc. By adjusting the radial position of the movable components, the support requirements of pipes 3 of different specifications can be accommodated.

[0024] The supporting components correspond one-to-one with the movable components, located inside the annular bracket 201 and floating on the side of the movable component away from the annular bracket 201. Floating installation can be achieved through spring connections, elastic rubber pad connections, etc. This installation method allows the supporting components to provide a certain buffer when in contact with the pipe 3, avoiding hard compression damage to the surface of the pipe 3. The side of the supporting component away from the movable component can be set as an arc-shaped surface adapted to the outer circle of the pipe 3 to increase the contact area with the pipe 3 and improve support stability. Multiple supporting components together support the periphery of the pipe 3, stably positioning the pipe 3 in the central area of ​​the annular bracket 201.

[0025] The clamping assembly includes a connecting arm and a clamping device 215. One end of the connecting arm is mounted on the annular bracket 201, and the other end extends away from the annular bracket 201 and is movably positioned relative to the annular bracket 201. The movability of the connecting arm can be achieved through hinged engagement with an adjusting screw, or through a slide rail and slider engagement with a locking element 202. By adjusting the angle and extension length of the connecting arm, the clamping device 215 can be adjusted to adapt to the docking requirements of elbows 1 with different angles and specifications. The clamping device 215 is mounted on the other end of the connecting arm and is used to clamp the elbow 1. It can adopt a clamp-type structure, a claw-type structure, etc. The clamp-type structure can clamp the elbow 1 by tightening bolts, while the claw-type structure can clamp the elbow 1 by manually turning a knob to open and close the claws, ensuring the stability of the elbow 1 during welding.

[0026] In actual operation, the pipe 3 to be welded is first placed inside the annular support 201 from its open end. Then, multiple movable components are adjusted to move radially inward along the annular support 201, causing the support components to move synchronously until all the support components are in close contact with the periphery of the pipe 3. The floating installation characteristics of the support components provide stable and gentle support for the pipe 3. Next, the elbow 1 is clamped and fixed by the clamping device 215. Then, the position of the connecting arm is adjusted so that the connecting arm moves the clamping device 215 and the elbow 1 until the elbow 1 is precisely aligned with the welded end of the pipe 3. After alignment, the welding operation can be performed. After welding, the movable components are adjusted in the opposite direction to disengage the support components from the pipe 3. The clamping device 215 is then released and the elbow 1 is removed. Finally, the welded pipe 3 is removed from its open end.

[0027] According to the embodiment of this application, the pipe elbow welding auxiliary tool 2 can be used to adjust the movable component to use straight pipes of different diameters, and can be supported and fixed on the straight pipe section by the support component. The elbow 1 is clamped by the clamping component, and the position of the connecting arm is adjusted to make the elbow 1 accurately connect with the straight pipe section. It is convenient to disassemble and install, which greatly improves the work efficiency and is not easy to damage the surface of the pipe 3. It does not rely on power equipment and is small in size and easy to carry.

[0028] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 According to some embodiments of this application, the movable component may include: a movable plate 205 and a guide post. The movable plate 205 is movably disposed inside the annular bracket 201. One end of the guide post is fixedly connected to the movable plate 205, and the other end passes through the annular bracket 201 radially. The guide post is movably disposed radially along the annular bracket 201. The annular bracket 201 is provided with a locking member 202 that locks with the guide post.

[0029] The movable plate 205 is movably disposed inside the annular bracket 201. Its shape can be adapted to the inner contour of the annular bracket 201, for example, it can be in the shape of an arc plate, so as to better fit the inner space of the annular bracket 201 and ensure stability during movement. The side of the movable plate 205 closest to the support component is used for floating installation of the support component. The connection between the two can be achieved by means of spring connection to achieve a floating effect, while ensuring that the support component can move radially along the annular bracket 201 synchronously with the movable plate 205.

[0030] One end of the guide column is fixedly connected to the movable plate 205, using welding, bolting, or other methods to ensure a secure and stable connection. The other end passes radially through the annular bracket 201, allowing the guide column to reciprocate along the radial direction of the bracket 201. The guide column provides precise guidance for the radial movement of the movable plate 205, preventing it from shifting or wobbling during movement, thus ensuring the accuracy of the support assembly's positioning of the pipeline 3. The number of guide columns can be determined based on the size of the movable plate 205 and the required stress. For example, one or two guide columns can be provided for each movable plate 205. When two guide columns are used, they can be spaced apart along the length of the movable plate 205 to further enhance guiding stability.

[0031] The annular bracket 201 is equipped with a locking element 202 that engages with the guide post. The locking element 202 is used to fix the guide post after the movable component is adjusted to the appropriate position, thereby locking the position of the movable plate 205 and the support component. The locking element 202 can be a locking nut, locking pin, or other structure. If it is a locking nut, the locking nut can be rotatably mounted on the annular bracket 201. The end of the guide post away from the axis of the annular bracket 201 can be provided with an external thread. The locking nut engages with the threaded guide post. By rotating the locking nut, the guide post is moved, and the self-locking characteristic of the thread is utilized to apply a stable supporting force to the pipeline 3 through the locking nut. If it is a locking pin, multiple pin holes can be provided axially at intervals on the guide post. When the guide post moves to the target position, the locking pin is inserted into the annular bracket 201 and the corresponding pin hole to achieve quick locking.

[0032] In practical application, when the position of the movable component needs to be adjusted to accommodate pipes 3 of different diameters, first loosen the locking element 202 to allow the guide column to move freely radially along the annular bracket 201. Then, push or pull the guide column to move the movable plate 205 radially along the inner side of the annular bracket 201. The movable plate 205 then moves the support component closer to or away from the pipe 3. Once the support component has moved to a suitable position where it is in close contact with the periphery of the pipe 3, tighten or insert the locking element 202 to lock the guide column onto the annular bracket 201. At this point, the positions of the movable plate 205 and the support component are fixed, achieving stable support for the pipe 3. This movable component has a simple structure, is easy to adjust, and has reliable locking, effectively ensuring the positional stability of the pipe 3 during the welding process, while also adapting to the support requirements of pipes 3 of different specifications.

[0033] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 According to some embodiments of this application, the movable component further includes at least one guide rail 204. One end of the guide rail 204 is fixedly connected to the movable plate 205, and the other end passes through the annular bracket 201 radially. The guide rail 204 is movably arranged radially along the annular bracket 201, and the outer peripheral wall of the guide rail 204 is provided with scale marks. The movable plate 205 is elongated and extends axially along the annular bracket 201. The guide posts and the guide rail 204 are spaced apart along the length direction of the movable plate 205.

[0034] One end of the guide rail 204 is fixedly connected to the movable plate 205. The connection method can be the same as that of the guide post, using welding or bolting to ensure connection strength and avoid relative loosening. The other end passes through the annular bracket 201 radially, allowing the guide rail 204 to move radially along the annular bracket 201 synchronously with the guide post. There is at least one guide rail 204. One, two, or more can be provided depending on the length of the movable plate 205 and the guiding requirements. For example, when one guide rail is provided, it can be located at both ends of the movable plate 205, respectively, while when two guide rails are provided, they can be alternately distributed with the guide post, further improving the stability and guiding accuracy of the movable plate 205 during movement.

[0035] The outer peripheral wall of the guide rail 204 is marked with scale markings distributed along the axial direction of the guide rail 204. The units can be set to millimeters, which can intuitively reflect the length of the guide rail 204 extending or retracting from the annular support 201, thus allowing the operator to accurately grasp the radial movement distance of the movable plate 205 and the support assembly. Alternatively, the scale can be set to a position corresponding to the diameter of the universal pipe 3, so that it can be quickly adjusted to the corresponding position according to the scale markings. By observing the scale markings on the guide rail 204 on different movable components, it can be ensured that the adjustment amount of multiple movable components is consistent, so that the support assembly can be evenly supported on the periphery of the pipe 3, ensuring that the pipe 3 is positioned at the central axis of the annular support 201, and avoiding the pipe 3 from shifting due to the adjustment deviation of each support assembly, which would affect the docking accuracy with the elbow 1.

[0036] The movable plate 205 is configured as an elongated structure extending along the axial direction of the annular bracket 201. Its length is adapted to the axial length of the annular bracket 201, which can increase the connection area with the support component and make the installation of the support component on the movable plate 205 more stable. At the same time, the elongated structure can provide support for the pipeline 3 over a longer distance along the axial direction, improve the stability of the pipeline 3 support, and reduce the axial movement of the pipeline 3 during the welding process.

[0037] Guide posts and guide rails 204 are spaced apart along the length of the movable plate 205. This distribution ensures that the movable plate 205 experiences more even force during radial movement, preventing unilateral offset or jamming. For example, a guide post and a guide rail 204 can be installed at each end of the movable plate 205's length, with an additional guide rail 204 in the middle, forming a three-point guide support. This ensures that the movable plate 205 always moves smoothly radially, thereby driving the support components to accurately approach or move away from the pipe 3, providing a reliable guarantee for the adaptation and precise positioning of pipes 3 with different diameters.

[0038] In actual operation, after loosening the locking element 202, the operator can simultaneously observe and adjust the extension length of the guide rail 204 of each moving component through the scale markings on the outer peripheral wall of the guide rail 204. This ensures that the scale markings of the guide rail 204 of all moving components are consistent, thereby driving each moving plate 205 and support component to move the same distance radially. When the support component is in close contact with the periphery of the pipe 3, the scale markings can confirm the uniformity of force on each support component, avoiding excessive compression on one side. Afterward, the locking element 202 is tightened to complete the positioning. The addition of the guide rail 204 not only improves the guiding stability of the moving components, but the scale markings also make the adjustment process more visual and precise, making the adaptation and adjustment of pipes 3 of different specifications more efficient, and further ensuring the consistency of the accuracy of the connection between the pipe 3 and the elbow 1.

[0039] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4According to some embodiments of this application, the support component includes a support plate 207. One side of the support plate 207 is floatingly connected to the movable component via an elastic member 206. The side of the support plate 207 facing away from the movable component is used to support the outer peripheral wall of the pipe 3.

[0040] The support plate 207 is the core component that directly contacts the pipe 3. In some examples, its shape can be designed to fit the outer peripheral wall of the pipe 3, with the side facing away from the movable component being an arc-shaped surface. The curvature of this arc-shaped surface can be preset according to the diameter range of commonly used pipes 3, ensuring a large-area contact with the surface of the pipe 3. This improves the stability of the support while dispersing the contact pressure to prevent indentations on the surface of the pipe 3. The support plate 207 can be made of hard rubber or nylon, which have certain wear resistance and a soft texture, further reducing the risk of wear on the surface of the pipe 3.

[0041] The elastic element 206 is used to achieve a floating connection between the support plate 207 and the movable component. One end of it is fixedly connected to the support plate 207, and the other end is fixedly connected to the movable component (specifically, the movable plate 205). The connection method can be adhesive, bolt fixing, or slot snap-fit, ensuring a firm connection that is not easy to fall off. The elastic element 206 can be a cylindrical helical spring, a disc spring, or an elastic rubber column, etc., and the number is not specifically limited. There can be two, three, or four. For example, when two are set, they are symmetrically distributed along the length of the support plate 207 to ensure that the support plate 207 is subjected to balanced force and does not tilt during floating. The elastic coefficient of the elastic element 206 can be selected according to the weight of the pipe 3 and the support requirements. It can provide sufficient support elasticity to stably support the pipe 3, and can also produce moderate deformation when the pipe 3 is inserted or adjusted to form a buffer effect.

[0042] The elastic element 206 is connected at both ends to the support plate 207 and the movable plate 205 of the movable component, respectively, so that the support plate 207 is suspended on the side of the movable plate 205 near the pipe 3, and can move slightly radially along the annular support 201 with the deformation of the elastic element 206, forming a floating structure. When the movable component drives the support component to move towards the pipe 3, the support plate 207 first contacts the outer peripheral wall of the pipe 3. When the movable component is pushed further, the elastic element 206 is compressed to generate elastic force until the elastic force is balanced with the thrust of the movable component. At this time, the support plate 207 is tightly attached to the surface of the pipe 3. At the same time, the buffering effect of the elastic element 206 avoids damage to the pipe 3 by hard compression, and applies sufficient clamping force to the pipe 3.

[0043] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4According to some embodiments of this application, the side of the support plate 207 away from the movable component may be provided with multiple pairs of rollers 208 and friction elements. The rollers 208 are rotatably arranged around an axis parallel to the axis of the annular bracket 201. The multiple pairs of rollers 208 are spaced apart along the axial direction of the annular bracket 201. The friction elements are movably mounted on the support plate 207 and are used for friction and limiting with the outer peripheral wall of the pipeline 3.

[0044] The support plate 207, on the side opposite to the movable component, is equipped with multiple pairs of rollers 208 and friction elements. These work together to provide both support and positioning for the pipe 3. The rollers 208 are rotatable around an axis parallel to the axis of the annular bracket 201, allowing them to roll circumferentially along the pipe 3. This facilitates fine-tuning of the pipe 3's circumferential position before welding, ensuring precise alignment between the pipe 3 and the welding port of the elbow 1. Multiple pairs of rollers 208 are spaced apart along the axis of the annular bracket 201. The number of pairs is not specifically limited; two, three, or more pairs can be used. For example, with two pairs, they can be located at both ends of the support plate 207's length; with three pairs, they can be evenly distributed on the support plate 207. Each pair of rollers 208 is symmetrically distributed on both sides of the support plate 207, ensuring balanced support for the pipe 3 and preventing tilting during rolling adjustments. The roller 208 can be made of hard plastic or metal, and its outer wall can be set as a smooth curved surface to reduce frictional damage to the surface of the pipe 3.

[0045] The friction element is movably mounted on the support plate 207. Installation methods include sliding engagement with spring return, threaded connection adjustment, etc. Its function is to limit the friction with the outer peripheral wall of the pipe 3, preventing axial and circumferential movement of the pipe 3 during welding. The friction element can be set as a friction block or friction plate, made of materials with a high coefficient of friction such as rubber or silicone, to ensure sufficient frictional force when in contact with the surface of the pipe 3. After the pipe 3 is adjusted to a suitable circumferential position by the rollers 208, the friction element is adjusted to move towards the pipe 3 and press against the outer peripheral wall of the pipe 3, using friction to lock the axial position of the pipe 3. After welding, the friction element is adjusted in the opposite direction to disengage it from the pipe 3, allowing the pipe 3 to be easily removed from the fixture. The number of friction elements can correspond to the number of pairs of rollers 208, or they can be set individually according to the limiting requirements. For example, one friction element can be set on the side of each pair of rollers 208 to achieve a correspondence between the support position and the limiting position, improving the reliability of the limiting.

[0046] When the movable component moves the support plate 207 close to the pipe 3, multiple pairs of rollers 208 first contact the outer peripheral wall of the pipe 3 to form rolling support. The operator can push the pipe 3 to rotate along its own axis. The rolling of the rollers 208 achieves fine adjustment of the circumferential position of the pipe 3 until the welded end of the pipe 3 is aligned with the corresponding end of the elbow 1. After alignment, the friction element is adjusted to move and press against the outer peripheral wall of the pipe 3. The friction between the friction element and the pipe 3 restricts the axial movement of the pipe 3, thus completing the precise positioning of the pipe 3. At this time, the elastic element 206 is still in a compressed state, providing continuous elastic support force for the support plate 207, ensuring that the rollers 208 and the friction element maintain close contact with the pipe 3. This structural design retains the protective function of the elastic floating support on the surface of the pipe 3, and also enables convenient adjustment of the circumferential position of the pipe 3 through the roller 208. Combined with the limiting function of the friction component, it further improves the accuracy and stability of the positioning of the pipe 3, ensuring that the relative position of the pipe 3 and the elbow 1 remains unchanged during the welding process, thereby improving the welding quality.

[0047] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 According to some embodiments of this application, the friction element can be an airbag 209, and an inflation element 212 can be installed on the annular bracket 201. The inflation element 212 is connected to the airbag 209 through an air tube. The airbag 209 is inflated by the inflation element 212 so that the airbag 209 expands and abuts against the outer peripheral wall of the pipe 3.

[0048] The friction component is specifically configured as an airbag 209, which is made of an elastic sealing material, such as rubber or PVC. Its initial state is a contracted state, ensuring it does not affect the rolling adjustment of the pipeline 3 on the rollers 208. The airbag 209 is fixedly installed in a pre-set mounting groove on the side of the support plate 207 opposite to the movable component. The shape of the mounting groove is adapted to the airbag 209, ensuring that the airbag 209 remains stable and does not shift during inflation and deflation. The number of airbags 209 on each support plate 207 can be set according to limiting requirements, for example, corresponding to the number of pairs of rollers 208, with one airbag 209 placed between or beside each pair of rollers 208, so that the outer peripheral wall of the pipeline 3 is evenly subjected to frictional force.

[0049] The inflatable component 212 installed on the annular bracket 201 provides inflation power for the airbags 209. It can be powered by a manual air pump, a small manual air pump, or other electrically independent devices, meeting the design requirements of tooling that does not rely on electrical equipment. The inflatable component 212 is connected to the airbag inflation ports 210 of each airbag 209 via flexible air tubes. The airbag inflation ports 210 can be located on the side of the airbag 209 away from the pipeline 3. The flexible air tubes can be arranged along the inner wall or longitudinal beam of the annular bracket 201 to avoid affecting the movement of other components. The connections between the air tubes and the airbags 209 and the inflatable component 212 are all sealed to prevent air leakage. A pressure relief valve can be installed on the inflatable component 212 to facilitate the rapid release of gas from the airbags 209 after welding, allowing the airbags 209 to contract and detach from the pipeline 3.

[0050] Airbags 209 and rollers 208 are spaced apart. Inflatable components 212 are fixed to the outside of the annular bracket 201 or to the longitudinal beam. The air outlet of the inflatable component 212 is connected to all airbags 209 through a flexible air tube, forming a complete inflation circuit. After the pipeline 3 is adjusted to a suitable circumferential position by the rollers 208, the inflatable component 212 is operated to inflate the airbags 209. The airbags 209 gradually expand and move closer to the outer peripheral wall of the pipeline 3 until they are in close contact with the surface of the pipeline 3. Because the airbags 209 are elastic, they can form a large area of ​​contact with the outer peripheral wall of the pipeline 3 after expansion. The axial limitation of the pipeline 3 is achieved by the friction between the contact surfaces.

[0051] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 4 According to some embodiments of this application, the support plate 207 can be an elongated shape extending along the axial direction of the annular bracket 201. Guide ribs 211 are provided on both sides of the support plate 207 in the width direction. One end of the guide rib 211 is connected to the side of the support plate 207 in the width direction, and the other end extends obliquely in a direction away from the axis of the annular bracket 201.

[0052] The support plate 207 is configured as an elongated structure extending axially along the annular bracket 201, with its length matching the axial length of the annular bracket 201. This elongated design provides a longer support contact length along the axial direction of the pipe 3, reducing radial sway and axial movement of the pipe 3 during welding and improving support stability. Simultaneously, the elongated support plate 207 also provides ample space for the subsequent installation of components such as the guide ribs 211, rollers 208, and friction components, facilitating a rational axial layout of each component.

[0053] Guide ribs 211 are positioned on both sides of the support plate 207 in the width direction. One end connects to the side of the support plate 207, and the connection method can be welding or integral molding to ensure connection strength and prevent detachment under stress when the pipe 3 enters. The other end extends obliquely away from the axis of the annular bracket 201, forming an outwardly opening guide structure. The inclination angle of the guide ribs 211 can be designed according to the diameter range of the pipe 3 and installation requirements, generally set to 30°-60°, which ensures the guiding effect without reducing the structural strength due to excessive inclination angle. The material of the guide ribs 211 can be the same as that of the support plate 207, using hard rubber or nylon, which combine strength and wear resistance.

[0054] The guide rib 211 facilitates the entry of the pipe 3 from the opening of the annular bracket 201 and its insertion between the support components, preventing interference from the support components. Considering the floating installation characteristic of the support components, the movable components can be adjusted to a suitable position before use. At this point, the support plate 207 has a certain floating margin under the action of the elastic element 206. When the pipe 3 moves along the guide rib 211 towards the axis of the annular bracket 201, the inclined surface of the guide rib 211 guides the pipe 3, guiding it smoothly into the space between the multiple support plates 207. Simultaneously, the pressure of the pipe 3 on the guide rib 211 is transmitted to the elastic element 206 through the support plate 207, causing a slight deformation in the elastic element 206, providing space for the pipe 3 to enter and further preventing interference. Furthermore, the rollers 208 on the support plate 207 also assist in the entry of the pipe 3. When the pipe 3 contacts the rollers 208, the rolling action of the rollers reduces frictional resistance, making the installation of the pipe 3 easier and more convenient.

[0055] In some examples, the guide rib 211 can be curved to further enhance its guiding effect.

[0056] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 According to some embodiments of this application, the connecting arm may include a plurality of arm sections connected in sequence. Each arm section includes a rod 214 and a groove 213. One end of the rod 214 is provided with a ball portion. The groove 213 has a spherical groove, and the ball portion is movably disposed in the spherical groove. The other end of the rod 214 is connected to the groove 213 of the adjacent arm section. The groove 213 of the arm section located near the annular support 201 is fixedly connected to the annular support 201. The rod 214 of the arm section located near the clamping device 215 is fixedly connected to the clamping device 215.

[0057] The connecting arm consists of multiple sequentially connected arm sections. The number of arm sections is not specifically limited; two, three, or more sections can be used. For example, with two arm sections, basic angle adjustment can be achieved to accommodate common elbow 1 docking requirements. With three or more arm sections, more flexible spatial position adjustment can be achieved through multi-segment linkage, meeting docking scenarios with complex angles and distances. The series structure of multiple arm sections allows for flexible changes in the overall shape of the connecting arm, overcoming the adjustment limitations of a single rod-shaped structure and enabling more precise adjustment of the elbow 1 position by the clamping device 215.

[0058] Each arm segment includes a rod 214 and a groove 213. The rod 214 is a rigid structure and can be made of metal, either round or square. One end of the rod is integrally formed or fixedly connected to a ball. The ball is smooth and spherical, allowing for flexible movement within the spherical groove. The groove 213 is a block structure with an internal spherical groove. The inner diameter of the spherical groove matches the outer diameter of the ball, ensuring that the ball can rotate freely within the groove without excessive wobbling. The opening size of the spherical groove is slightly smaller than the diameter of the ball to prevent the ball from falling out of the groove, while also ensuring that the rod 214 can swing at multiple angles as the ball rotates.

[0059] The connection between boom sections involves the mutual cooperation of the rod 214 and groove 213 of adjacent boom sections. Specifically, the end of the rod 214 of the preceding boom section away from the ball is fixedly connected to the groove 213 of the following boom section. The connection method can be welding, threaded connection, or bolt fastening to ensure a firm connection between adjacent boom sections and prevent relative loosening under stress. Among multiple boom sections, the boom section closest to the annular support 201 is fixedly connected to the annular support 201 via its groove 213. The fixing position can be selected on the longitudinal beam or ring frame of the annular support 201 to ensure the installation stability of the connecting boom. The boom section closest to the clamping device 215 is fixedly connected to the clamping device 215 via its rod 214. The connection point can be located on the side or top of the clamping device 215 to ensure that the clamping device 215 can move synchronously with the adjustment of the connecting boom.

[0060] Because the ball can rotate freely within the spherical groove, each arm segment can swing at multiple angles relative to adjacent arm segments. When multiple arm segments are linked, the connecting arm can form any desired shape in space. When adjusting the position of elbow 1, the operator can directly push the clamping device 215, which in turn moves the rod 214 of the end arm segment. The ball of the end arm segment rotates within the spherical groove of the adjacent groove 213, thereby causing the previous arm segment to swing synchronously. This process is then transmitted sequentially to the arm segments closest to the annular support 201, ultimately achieving flexible adjustment of the overall length and angle of the connecting arm. After elbow 1 is adjusted to a position that precisely aligns with pipe 3, the friction between the ball and the spherical groove can initially maintain the stability of the connecting arm's shape. If further locking is required, locking bolts can be added to the groove 213. By tightening the locking bolts, the ball is secured, and the position is fixed.

[0061] This multi-arm connecting arm structure with ball joint connection has a high degree of adjustment freedom and can adapt to the docking requirements of elbow 1 at different angles and installation positions. No complicated tools are required during operation, and the position can be adjusted manually. With the clamping device 215 to stably clamp elbow 1, the elbow 1 can be quickly and accurately docked with the pipeline 3, which further improves the ease of operation and docking accuracy of the tooling. At the same time, the structure is simple and reliable, not easy to be damaged, and suitable for the complex use environment of shipbuilding site.

[0062] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 According to some embodiments of this application, the outer peripheral wall of the groove 213 may be provided with an adjusting member that extends into the spherical groove. The adjusting member is used to adjust the locking force of the groove 213 on the ball.

[0063] The adjusting component is located on the outer peripheral wall of the groove 213 and extends into the spherical groove. Its core function is to adjust the locking force of the groove 213 on the spherical part, thereby achieving controllable adjustment of the rotational freedom between the arm sections. The adjusting component can be a locking bolt, a set screw, or an adjusting screw. Taking the locking bolt as an example, the outer peripheral wall of the groove 213 is provided with a threaded hole that matches the locking bolt. The threaded hole extends radially along the groove 213 and communicates with the spherical groove. After the locking bolt is screwed into the threaded hole, its end can extend into the spherical groove and contact the surface of the spherical part.

[0064] When adjusting the boom angle, loosen the adjusting component so that its end separates from or slightly contacts the ball surface. This reduces the rotational resistance of the ball within the spherical groove, allowing it to rotate freely to adjust the relative angle of the boom. Once the boom is in the target position, tighten the adjusting component, pushing its end into the spherical groove and pressing it against the ball surface. The pressure between the adjusting component and the ball generates friction, increasing the tightness of the fit between the ball and the inner wall of the spherical groove. This locks the ball in place, preventing angular displacement of the boom during welding due to external forces or its own weight. Alternatively, the self-locking force between the ball and the groove 213 can be adjusted using the adjusting component. This ensures the stability of the elbow 1 while allowing for adjustment under sufficient external force.

[0065] The number of adjusting parts can be set according to the locking requirements. For example, two adjusting parts can be symmetrically set on the outer peripheral wall of each groove 213. The two adjusting parts are distributed relative to each other along the diameter direction of the groove 213. When tightening, they can press the ball part evenly from both sides to ensure the locking force is balanced and avoid the ball part from being stuck or damaged due to excessive force on one side. Alternatively, one adjusting part can be set to achieve locking through single-point pressing, which makes the structure simpler and the operation more convenient.

[0066] During the adjustment of the elbow 1 position, all adjusting parts on the boom sections are loosened so that the ball joints of each boom section can rotate freely in the corresponding spherical groove. The operator pushes the clamping device 215 to drive each boom section to move together, adjusting the overall angle and extension position of the connecting arm until the elbow 1 and the pipeline 3 are precisely connected. After the connection is completed, the adjusting parts on each groove 213 are tightened in sequence. Pressure is applied to the ball joint through the adjusting parts so that the ball joint of each boom section is firmly locked in the corresponding spherical groove. At this time, the relative position of each boom section is fixed, and the overall shape of the connecting arm remains stable, thereby ensuring that the elbow 1 held by the clamping device 215 will not shift position.

[0067] Please see Figure 2 , Figure 3 and Figure 5 According to some embodiments of this application, the clamping device 215 may include: a jaw and two clamping members. The jaw includes a connecting portion and two clamping arms disposed opposite to each other. One side of the connecting portion is connected to the connecting arm, and the two clamping arms are mounted on the side of the connecting portion away from the connecting arm. The two clamping members are respectively movably mounted on the two clamping arms. The clamping members are movably disposed in the direction of approaching and away from the other clamping arm. The clamping members are used to clamp the outer peripheral wall of the elbow 1.

[0068] The gripper is the basic load-bearing structure of the clamping device 215, consisting of a connecting part and two opposing clamping arms. The connecting part can be block-shaped or plate-shaped, and one side is fixedly connected to the connecting arm. The connection method can be welding, bolting, or integral molding, ensuring that the clamping device 215 can move synchronously with the adjustment of the connecting arm. The two clamping arms are installed on the side of the connecting part away from the connecting arm, symmetrically distributed, forming a clamping space between them to accommodate the elbow 1. The length of the clamping arms can be designed according to the size of common elbows 1 to ensure stable clamping of elbows 1 of different specifications.

[0069] Two clamping elements are movably mounted on two clamping arms, respectively, and can move towards or away from the other clamping arm to enlarge or reduce the clamping space to accommodate elbows of different diameters. The movable mounting method for the clamping elements can employ threaded drive, slide rail-slider cooperation, or an elastic telescopic structure. For example, when using threaded drive, the clamping arm has a threaded hole along its length, and the clamping element engages with the threaded hole; rotating the clamping element allows movement along the clamping arm. When using a slide rail-slider structure, the clamping arm has a slide rail, and the clamping element slides along the slide rail via a slider, with a locking bolt securing its position.

[0070] The clamping element is used to directly contact and clamp the outer peripheral wall of the elbow 1. The side of the clamping element closest to the elbow 1 can be configured as an arc-shaped surface adapted to the outer peripheral wall of the elbow 1, increasing the contact area to improve clamping stability. Simultaneously, the arc-shaped surface can wrap around the surface of the elbow 1, preventing excessive local pressure from damaging the elbow 1. The clamping element can be made of flexible materials such as rubber or nylon, or a flexible padding layer can be wrapped around a rigid material surface to further reduce the risk of wear on the surface of the elbow 1.

[0071] The clamping device 215 is designed to balance adaptability and stability. The movable clamping parts can accommodate elbows 1 of different diameters. The arc-shaped surface design and the choice of flexible materials ensure both clamping firmness and avoid damage to elbows 1. The operation does not rely on electricity and the clamping and releasing of elbows 1 can be completed manually. With the flexible adjustment of the connecting arm, the elbows 1 and the pipeline 3 can be quickly and accurately connected, further improving the practicality and ease of operation of the tooling.

[0072] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and not to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such use of data can be interchanged where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first," "second," etc., are generally of the same class and the number of objects is not limited; for example, a first object can be one or more. Furthermore, in the specification and claims, "and / or" indicates at least one of the connected objects, and the character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects are in an "or" relationship.

[0073] In the description of this application, it should be understood that the terms "center", "longitudinal", "lateral", "length", "width", "thickness", "upper", "lower", "front", "rear", "left", "right", "vertical", "horizontal", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "clockwise", "counterclockwise", "axial", "radial", "circumferential", etc., indicating the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, 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.

[0074] In the description of this application, "first feature" and "second feature" may include one or more of the features.

[0075] In the description of this application, "multiple" means two or more.

[0076] In the description of this application, the first feature being "above" or "below" the second feature may include the first and second features being in direct contact, or the first and second features being in contact through another feature between them.

[0077] In the description of this application, the terms "above," "over," and "on top" for the first feature and the second feature include the first feature being directly above or diagonally above the second feature, or simply indicate that the first feature is at a higher horizontal level than the second feature.

[0078] In the description of this specification, the references to terms such as "one embodiment," "some embodiments," "illustrative embodiment," "example," "specific example," or "some examples," etc., indicate that a specific feature, structure, material, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment or example is included in at least one embodiment or example of this application. In this specification, the illustrative expressions of the above terms do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment or example. Furthermore, the specific features, structures, materials, or characteristics described may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments or examples.

[0079] Although embodiments of this application have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of this application, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.

Claims

1. An auxiliary tooling for welding pipe elbows, characterized in that, include: An annular support, wherein one radially upward side of the annular support is provided with an opening for pipe entry; Multiple movable components are installed at intervals along the circumference of the annular bracket on the inner side of the annular bracket, and are movably arranged along the radial direction of the annular bracket. Multiple support components are provided, each corresponding to one of the multiple movable components. The support components are located inside the annular bracket and are floatingly installed on the side of the movable components away from the annular bracket. The multiple support components are used to support the periphery of the pipeline. A clamping assembly includes a connecting arm and a clamping device. One end of the connecting arm is mounted to the annular bracket, and the other end of the connecting arm extends away from the annular bracket and is movably disposed relative to the annular bracket. The clamping device is mounted to the other end of the connecting arm and is used to clamp an elbow.

2. The auxiliary tooling for welding pipe elbows according to claim 1, characterized in that, The active components include: The movable plate is movably disposed inside the annular bracket; The guide post is fixedly connected to the movable plate at one end and passes through the annular bracket radially at the other end. The guide post is movably arranged radially along the annular bracket, and the annular bracket is provided with a locking element that locks into the guide post.

3. The auxiliary tooling for welding pipe elbows according to claim 2, characterized in that, The movable component also includes at least one guide rail, one end of which is fixedly connected to the movable plate, and the other end of which passes radially through the annular bracket. The guide rail is movably arranged radially along the annular bracket, and the outer peripheral wall of the guide rail is provided with scale markings. The movable plate is elongated and extends along the axial direction of the annular bracket, and the guide posts and the guide rails are spaced apart along the length of the movable plate.

4. The auxiliary tooling for welding pipe elbows according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The support assembly includes a support plate, one side of which is floatingly connected to the movable assembly via an elastic element, and the side of the support plate facing away from the movable assembly is used to support the outer peripheral wall of the pipeline.

5. The auxiliary tooling for welding pipe elbows according to claim 4, characterized in that, The support plate has multiple pairs of rollers and friction elements on the side opposite to the movable component. The rollers are rotatably arranged around an axis parallel to the axis of the annular bracket. The multiple pairs of rollers are spaced apart along the axial direction of the annular bracket. The friction elements are movably mounted on the support plate and are used for friction and limiting with the outer peripheral wall of the pipeline.

6. The auxiliary tooling for welding pipe elbows according to claim 5, characterized in that, The friction element is an airbag, and an inflatable element is installed on the annular bracket. The inflatable element is connected to the airbag through an air tube. The airbag is inflated by the inflatable element so that the airbag expands and rubs against the outer peripheral wall of the tube.

7. The auxiliary tooling for welding pipe elbows according to claim 4, characterized in that, The support plate is an elongated shape extending along the axial direction of the annular bracket. Guide ribs are provided on both sides of the support plate in the width direction. One end of the guide rib is connected to the side of the support plate in the width direction, and the other end extends obliquely away from the axis of the annular bracket.

8. The auxiliary tooling for welding pipe elbows according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The connecting arm comprises multiple arm segments connected in sequence, each arm segment including: A rod body, one end of which is provided with a ball; The tank body has a spherical groove inside, and the spherical part is movably disposed in the spherical groove; The other end of the rod is connected to the groove of the adjacent arm section. The groove of the arm section located near the annular support is fixedly connected to the annular support. The rod of the arm section located near the clamping device is fixedly connected to the clamping device.

9. The auxiliary tooling for welding pipe elbows according to claim 8, characterized in that, The outer peripheral wall of the groove is provided with an adjusting member that extends into the spherical groove. The adjusting member is used to adjust the locking force of the groove on the ball.

10. The auxiliary tooling for welding pipe elbows according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The clamping device includes: The gripper includes a connecting part and two opposing clamping arms. One side of the connecting part is connected to the connecting arm, and the two clamping arms are mounted on the side of the connecting part away from the connecting arm. Two clamping members are movably mounted on the two clamping arms respectively. The clamping members are movably arranged in the direction of approaching and moving away from the other clamping arm. The clamping members are used to clamp the outer peripheral wall of the elbow.

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