Device for cutting open protective jacket pipes

Abstract

The invention relates to a device for cutting open protective casing tubes. This device comprises a knife holder on which a knife is held and which is mounted at the free end of a knife arm. At the other end of the knife arm, a toothed drive wheel is rotatably mounted. In the operating position, the drive wheel rests on the protective casing tube such that its teeth engage with the material of the casing. The drive wheel is rotatable about its axis of rotation by means of a lever to move the knife holder along the surface of the protective casing tube, so that the knife cuts the casing along its circumference or in an axial direction. According to the invention, it is proposed that the knife holder be pivotably mounted on the knife arm about a pivot axis extending parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive wheel.

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a device for cutting open protective casing tubes. This device comprises a knife holder to which a knife is attached. The knife holder is mounted at the free end of a knife arm, at the other end of which a toothed drive wheel is rotatably mounted. In the operating position, the drive wheel rests on the protective casing tube such that its teeth engage with the material of the casing. The drive wheel can be rotated about its axis of rotation by means of a lever to move the knife holder along the surface of the protective casing tube, so that the knife cuts the casing along its circumference or in an axial direction. For a circumferential cut, the axis of rotation is thus parallel to the tube axis. For an axial cut, or a cut along a generatrix, the axis of rotation is perpendicular to the tube axis.

[0002] The invention relates in particular to a device for cutting open the protective casing of a district heating pipe. Pre-insulated district heating pipes have an inner pipe or conduit made of metal, for example, steel, copper, or brass, which is surrounded by a polyurethane layer, which in turn is encased by a protective casing made of plastic, for example, polyethylene. When working on installed pipes or when laying pipes, the free ends of the steel pipes must be completely freed from the insulation layer so that the pipe fittings used to connect two pipe ends or to insert connecting pieces can be tightly connected to the pipe ends. This also requires removing or cutting open the protective casing in this area. In principle, two or more conduit pipes or inner pipes can run parallel to each other in a district heating pipe.

[0003] Signal lines often run within the polyurethane layer to detect any leaks. It would therefore be advantageous if these lines were not severed when the pipe is exposed.

[0004] Pipe saws are known that cut a pipe only along its circumference or axially to a shallow depth. One such pipe saw is known, for example, from EP 1 628 797 B1. A circular saw with a holding device is held against the pipe to be cut. The circular saw is guided around the pipe by its handle. The circular saw cuts through the pipe wall, producing a flat cut perpendicular to the pipe axis. However, the handle protrudes radially far outwards, making it difficult or impossible to work in confined spaces, such as in an excavation pit, or where pipelines run parallel to each other.

[0005] From EP 0 610 841 B1, a cable cutter is known in which the plastic sheathing of the cable is cut with a blade that is moved along the cable surface along its circumference or axially by means of a toothed lever. The blade holder has a complex contour to ensure that it is guided securely on the cable and that the blade cuts cleanly into the sheathing when moved both axially and along its circumference. The blade holder is pulled by the toothed lever over a tab and, due to its contour facing the cable, is only suitable for one cable diameter.

[0006] The plastic material used for the protective casing of a district heating pipe has relatively low cut resistance. It has been shown that such a protective casing can be easily cut open with a knife, for example, a utility knife or box cutter. This also prevents sawdust from being produced.

[0007] However, a simple cut with a knife is insufficient to create enough clearance for a subsequent coarse saw to cut through the insulation layer down to the pipe. Furthermore, the previously used cable cutter is unsuitable for cutting the protective sheathing of district heating pipes with varying outer diameters. Due to the blade holder's contour facing the plastic sheathing, it only makes secure contact with the surface at a specific diameter. With larger diameters, the blade does not reach the sheathing surface, and with smaller diameters, the blade holder is no longer properly guided on the sheathing surface.

[0008] The invention is based on the objective of designing a device of the type described above in such a way that a protective casing pipe can be cut open appropriately even with different pipe diameters. In particular, the cut should meet the requirements for district heating pipes.

[0009] The problem is solved according to the invention by pivoting the blade holder onto the blade arm about a pivot axis running parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive wheel. This allows the engagement angle of the blade to be changed relative to the protective coating surface, so that the blade automatically penetrates and cuts the material. The pivot axis thus runs perpendicular to the direction of movement of the blade holder and parallel to the pipe axis for a circumferential cut, or perpendicular to the pipe axis for an axial cut.

[0010] In particular, this measure makes it possible to adapt the device to different outer diameters of the protective casing pipe. The required or optimal angle of the cutting edge relative to the tangent at the point of penetration also depends on the outer diameter of the protective casing pipe to be cut. If the angle is too steep or too shallow, the blade tip cannot reliably penetrate the material or may slip back out during the cutting process.

[0011] It is advantageous if the blade holder has two spaced-apart, parallel blades that, as the device moves along the protective sheath pipe, cut a strip out of the sheath. This has the advantage of exposing a relatively wide area along the circumference or the edge of the sheath in a single operation. The strip of sheath thus removed can easily be cut open manually and removed by cutting across its width. This exposes a sufficiently wide area of ​​the insulation layer, allowing the saw or knife to be used to cut through it. The distance between the blades, and therefore the width of the exposed area, can be between 0.2 cm and 2 cm or 0.5 cm and 1 cm.

[0012] The device can also be adapted to different outer diameter ranges by using blade arms of varying lengths. Larger outer diameters require a longer blade arm than smaller ones. It has been shown that for an outer diameter range between 80 mm and 350 mm, a blade arm is sufficient that allows the pivot and swivel axes to be mounted at a distance of approximately 90 mm to 130 mm. For larger outer diameter ranges up to 700 mm, 800 mm, or 900 mm, a longer blade arm is advisable. In fact, the distance between the blade tip and the contact point of the drive wheels is also crucial for the blade to reliably penetrate the protective casing initially. This distance can be varied for different outer diameter ranges by using a correspondingly long blade arm.In any case, it is advantageous if the knife arm is concavely curved on its side facing the protective sleeve tube, at least between the axis of rotation and the knife holder, so that the knife arm does not rest on the protective sleeve.

[0013] The adjustability of the blade holder can also be advantageous when using only one blade, in which case the blade holder is pivotally mounted on the blade arm about a pivot axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the drive wheel. However, it is more advantageous if the blade holder has two spaced-apart and parallel blades that, as the device moves along the protective sleeve tube, cut a strip out of the protective sleeve.

[0014] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the blade(s) is / are designed as a hook blade, the hook-shaped tip of which points towards the drive wheel in the assembled operating position. Such a hook blade is generally known and has standardized dimensions. It therefore requires further explanation. Furthermore, it is very sharp and can penetrate the plastic material well. During the movement of the blade along its circumference or radii, the blade remains in constant engagement with the protective sheath and cuts through it reliably. Finally, such a commercially available hook blade has notches and openings that allow it to be securely and positively locked to the blade holder. Replacing worn hook blades is also possible in a simple and cost-effective manner.

[0015] Furthermore, it is advantageous for two identical drive wheels to be arranged parallel to each other on the axis of rotation. This ensures that the blade(s) are guided at a 90° angle to the surface, reliably preventing jamming or angling of the blade(s). The resulting wide support also makes operating the device with the lever safer and easier. In particular, a flat cut perpendicular to the axis of the casing tube can be performed more easily.

[0016] It can be provided that the axis of rotation has a square cross-section, at least in the area of ​​the drive wheel(s), and that the drive wheel(s) is / are non-rotatably connected to the axis of rotation. The lever also engages the axis of rotation, allowing the drive wheels to be rotated and the device to be moved smoothly across the surface.

[0017] It is particularly advantageous if the lever is designed as a through-ratchet, with the ratchet head positioned between the drive wheels, and the area of ​​the pivot axis with the square cross-section extending from the outside of one drive wheel to the outside of the other. The lever action of the ratchet towards the casing pipe presses the teeth of the drive wheels firmly into the plastic material, preventing them from slipping and ensuring the device moves securely along the surface of the casing pipe to cut through its wall with the blade. It is beneficial if the teeth of the drive wheel(s) are shaped like the teeth of a circular saw blade.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the invention, the knife arm has two partial arms that run parallel to each other, at least in certain areas, and which enclose the knife holder between them in the assembled position. This facilitates the assembly of the device.

[0019] Preferably, the blade holder can be locked in a predetermined angular position relative to the blade arm. This ensures safe handling and, in particular, safe insertion of the blade into the protective casing tube, regardless of its outer diameter. The locking mechanism can be, for example, a clamping mechanism that positively engages the blade holder at the desired angular position relative to the blade arm. The clamping mechanism can include a clamping screw that secures the blade holder to the blade arm.

[0020] The knife holder can also have openings or projections arranged eccentrically to the pivot axis in order to positively lock the knife holder in a predetermined angular position relative to the knife arm. The openings or projections can run radially or parallel to the pivot axis.

[0021] To change the angle, the individual arms are detached, and the knife holder can be repositioned. With the individual arms detached, the hook blades of the knives are also freely accessible and can be replaced.

[0022] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the sectional arms, in their assembled position, enclose the drive wheel(s) between them. This fixes the drive wheels axially on the axis of rotation. It also holds the lever located between the drive wheels axially.

[0023] According to a further embodiment of the invention, the knife arm or its compound sub-arms are hood-shaped and, in the assembled position, cover the knife holder and the drive wheels at least partially and at least from above. This provides good protection for the moving parts and prevents workplace accidents.

[0024] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the schematic drawing. It shows: Fig. 1 the side view of the device according to the invention, Fig. 2 a perspective view of the device with the knife arm open, and Fig. 3 the side view of the knife holder in enlarged form.

[0025] The device shown in the drawing for cutting open the protective casing of district heating pipes has a knife holder 11, which is arranged at the front end 12 of a knife arm 13. At its other end 14, the knife arm 13 has at least one toothed drive wheel 15. The drive wheel 15 is rotatably mounted on the knife arm 13 about a pivot axis 16.

[0026] The drive wheel 15, with its teeth 17, rests on the surface of the protective casing tube in its operating position and can roll along it. The drive wheel 15 is rotatable via a lever 18, thereby driving the device. The lever 18 can be designed as a so-called through-ratchet, the ratchet head 19 of which is held between two parallel drive wheels 15 on a square section of the pivot axis 16. By pivoting the lever 18 back and forth, the drive wheel 15 or drive wheels 15 can be rotated, causing the device to roll along the surface of the protective casing tube. The teeth 17 of the drive wheels engage with the protective casing tube, providing good support and allowing the device to move along the tube in the direction of arrow 20.

[0027] The drive wheels 15 enclose the ratchet head 19 between them and have a square, central opening by which they are held rotationally fixed on the square section of the pivot shaft 16. The drive wheels 15 and the ratchet head 19 are fixed axially on the pivot shaft 16 by releasable clamping rings 21.

[0028] The knife holder 11 has two parallel knife blades 22 arranged at a distance from each other. Specifically, the arrangement is such that the knife holder 11 is disc-shaped with a bore 23 through which it is mounted on the knife arm 13 about a pivot axis 24. The knife blades 22 are designed as so-called hook blades, each having two opposing hook-shaped knife tips 25. Furthermore, these hook blades 22 have an opening 26 and notches 27 on their edge facing away from the knife tips 25, by means of which the knife blades can be securely held on a correspondingly designed knife holder.

[0029] The invention utilizes this standardized design of a hook blade 22, and the blade holder can have corresponding projections or pins that engage in the notches 27 in the operating position. In the case of the Figure 3In the illustrated embodiment, threaded bores 28 are provided which are arranged according to the notches 27 on the knife holder 11 in order to be able to screw the blades 22 to the knife holder.

[0030] The bore 23 of the knife holder 11 aligns with the opening 26 of the hook blade, so that the pivot axis 24 passes through the bore 23 and the opening 26, securely holding the knife holder 11 with the knives 22 on the knife arm 13. The knives 22 are also easily interchangeable, or the opposing knife tips 25' of the two knives 22 can be used by reversing them.

[0031] Furthermore, the knife holder 11 has several openings 29 arranged concentrically to the opening 23. These openings interact with at least one corresponding opening on the knife arm 13 to lock the knife holder 11 in the desired angular position on the knife arm 13, for example, using a through bolt. The reverse arrangement is also possible. The openings 29 can be designed as threaded bores to lock the knife holder 11 to the knife arm 13 using screws 30.

[0032] In the embodiment shown in the drawing, five openings 29 are provided, arranged at an angular interval of 25° around the opening 23. This arrangement allows the knife holder 11, and thus the knives 22, to be pivoted 125° about the pivot axis 24.

[0033] The knife arm 13 consists of two parallel sub-arms 31, which are mirror images of each other and of which only one is in Figure 2 As shown, the arrangement is such that each arm section 31 is shell-shaped, so that in the assembled operating position it covers the blade holder 11 and the drive wheels 25 like a hood. In the area of ​​the lever 18's pivot range, the arms sections 31 have a corresponding cutout 32. Furthermore, the blade arm 13 is open at the bottom so that, firstly, the drive wheels can roll on the protective sleeve tube, and secondly, the blades 22, or rather their blade tips 25, can engage with the protective sleeve to be cut. The arms sections 31 of the blade arm 13 are held together by axle nuts on the pivot axis 16 and the pivot axis 24.

[0034] In the operating position, the device rests with the teeth 17 of the drive wheels 15 on the protective coating surface. The cutter arm 13 is freely pivotable on the pivot axis 16, so that the free end 12 of the cutter arm 13 can be pivoted towards the protective coating surface until the cutter tips 25 of the cutters 22 also rest on the protective coating surface. The cutter tips 25 are oriented towards the drive wheels 15.

[0035] In the starting position, lever 18 is in an upper position (not shown). Pressing down the lever forces the teeth 17 of the drive gears into the relatively soft material of the protective casing tube, providing sufficient grip. This causes the device to move in the direction of arrow 20.

[0036] The knife tips 25, or rather the hook blades of the knives 22, are adjusted relative to the protective casing surface via the knife holder 11 and its pivots about the pivot axis 24 such that the knife tips 25 reliably penetrate and cut into the material of the protective casing pipe. As the device is moved further by repeatedly actuating the lever 18 like a ratchet, the knife 22 is drawn further through the protective casing and cuts it open. The special knife tip geometry ensures, firstly, reliable initial penetration of the knife 22 and, secondly, prevents the knife 22 from slipping out of the cut. Furthermore, it prevents the knife from penetrating too deeply into the district heating pipe.

[0037] The angle of attack of the knife 22 to the protective sheath surface depends on the diameter of the protective sheath tube and the distance of the support area 33 of the drive wheels 15 to the engagement point of the knife tips 25.

[0038] The two parallel, identically sized, aligned, and identical blades 22 cut a strip from the protective sheath in a single pass, corresponding to the distance between the blades. This exposes a correspondingly wide area of ​​the insulation layer, which can then be further cut manually using conventional saws.

[0039] By selecting the length of the cutter arm, the device can be adapted to different pipe diameter ranges. It is advantageous if the edge 34 of the cutter arm 13 facing the protective casing pipe is concave so that it does not rest on the casing pipe surface during cutting.

Claims

1. Device for cutting open protective casing tubes, which device comprises a knife holder (11) on which a knife (22) is held and which is held at the free end (12) of a knife arm (13), at the other end (14) of which a toothed drive wheel (15) is rotatably mounted, which in the operating position rests on the protective casing tube such that the teeth (17) of the drive wheel (15) engage in the material of the protective casing, which drive wheel (15) is rotatable about its axis of rotation (16) by means of a lever (18) in order to move the knife holder (11) along the surface of the protective casing tube, so that the knife (22) cuts the protective casing along the circumference or in an axial direction, characterized by the fact that the knife holder (11) is pivotable on the knife arm (13) about a pivot axis (24) running parallel to the axis of rotation (16) of the drive wheel (15).

2. Device according to claim 1, characterized by the fact thatThe knife holder (11) has two spaced-apart and parallel knives (22) which cut a strip out of the protective sheath during the movement of the device on the protective sheath tube.

3. Device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the knife(s) (22) is or are designed as a hook blade, the hook-shaped knife tip (25) of which points towards the drive wheel (15).

4. Device according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that two identical drive wheels (15) are arranged parallel and at a distance from each other on the axis of rotation (16).

5. Device according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by the fact that the axis of rotation (16) has a square cross-section at least in the area of ​​the drive wheel or drive wheels (15), and the drive wheel or drive wheels (15) is or are connected to the axis of rotation (16) in a rotationally fixed manner.

6. Device according to claim 5, characterized in that the lever (18) is designed as a through-ratchet, the ratchet head (19) runs between the drive wheels (15), and the area of ​​the axis of rotation with the square cross-section extends from the outside of one drive wheel (15) to the outside of the other drive wheel (15).

7. Device according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the knife arm (13) has two partial arms (31) that run parallel to each other at least in certain areas and enclose the knife holder (11) between them in the mounted position.

8. Device according to claim 7, characterized in that The partial arms (31) in the assembled position enclose the drive wheel or drive wheels (15) between them.

9. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by the fact that the knife arm (13) is hood-shaped and, in the mounted position, covers the knife holder (11) and the drive wheels (15) at least partially and at least from above.

10. Device according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by the fact that the knife holder (11) has openings (29) or projections arranged eccentrically to the pivot axis (24) in order to lock the knife holder in a predetermined angular position to the knife arm (13).

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