Portable, self-contained pipe cutting device

Abstract

Title: Self-contained portable pipe cutting device. Device comprising: (a) a cutting head (2) with a fixed frame (21), a cutting unit (22) slidably coupled to the fixed frame (21) along the cutting direction (DC), and a sliding drive means for moving the cutting unit (22) relative to the fixed frame (21). The cutting unit (22) comprises a U-shaped body (221) with means (221a, 221b, 221c, 221d) for actuation of a cutting wire (4) through a cutting section (TC) located between the ends of the arms of the U-shaped body (221). (b) a clamping tool (3) that attaches to the pipe to be cut. Figure 6

Description

Title of the invention: Portable, self-contained pipe cutting device FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] The present invention falls within the field of construction.

[0002] The object of the present invention is a self-contained portable device designed to cut pipes, poles and other things in a safe, fast, simple and economical manner. STATE OF THE ART

[0003] Current piping systems require frequent maintenance and replacement to reduce water losses in installations due to deteriorated pipes. Installing and connecting new pipes requires significant cutting work to adapt them to the geometric configuration of the piping system. The most commonly used materials for piping are concrete, cast iron, and plastic (PVC).

[0004] Nowadays, different tools and consumables are used for each type of material for this cutting process. Chainsaws and diamond-bladed cutting saws are examples of such cutting tools. In both cases, the operator must be present in the cutting area, generally in a non-ergonomic position and exerting effort throughout the process. Furthermore, the pipes are often underground, and the operator must therefore work in confined, damp, and uncomfortable spaces. This results in physically demanding work that frequently leads to occupational illnesses, as well as workplace accidents due to kickback from the cutting tools during operation.

[0005] Another disadvantage of the cutting tools used so far is that they do not offer the high cutting accuracy needed to fit the parts, which requires the use of larger connecting pieces.

[0006] PURPOSE OF THE INVENTION

[0007] The invention aims to reduce these disadvantages by means of new cutting tools that are more precise, more comfortable, safer and more efficient.

[0008] DESCRIPTION AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION

[0009] The present invention relates to a pipe cutting device for different materials which solves the aforementioned problems.

[0010] An important feature of the device of the invention is its portability, since a single operator can manually transport it from one worksite to another. Furthermore, the device of the invention is self-contained because, once the cutting process has Once started, it requires no operator intervention. The device's self-contained design also ensures greater operator safety and comfort by eliminating physical strain. It uses a single consumable, the diamond wire, to cut all materials without needing to be changed.

[0011] The self-contained portable pipe cutting device essentially comprises the following elements: cutting head, clamping tool, and preferably also a control cabinet and a transport trolley.

[0012] Each of these elements is defined in more detail below.

[0013] a) Cutting head

[0014] The cutting head configured for cutting a pipe comprises a fixed frame, a cutting unit slidably coupled to the fixed frame so as to move along a cutting direction, and a sliding drive means for moving the cutting unit relative to the fixed frame along the cutting direction. The fixed frame is first fixed to the pipe by the clamping tool, then the cutting unit, equipped with a diamond wire, is moved in the cutting direction, i.e., towards the pipe.

[0015] The cutting unit comprises a U-shaped body essentially contained in a plane parallel to the cutting direction. The U-shaped body has a certain thickness, although it has a substantially flat shape which is considered a plane. The U-shape allows the pipe to be cut to be inserted between the arms of the U along the cutting direction which coincides with the direction of the main axis of the U.

[0016] The U-shaped body includes cutting wire drive means. These drive means pass the diamond wire through a section located between the ends of the arms of the U-shaped body. The cutting section of the wire is therefore perpendicular to the cutting direction, contained in the plane.

[0017] According to one embodiment, the fixed frame comprises a structure consisting of two main uprights oriented in the direction of the cut and connected at their ends by two plates. This forms a rigid and stable rectangular structure along which the cutting unit slides.

[0018] The sliding connection between the fixed frame and the cutting unit can be implemented in various ways as long as it allows the cutting unit to slide relative to the frame. For example, according to another embodiment of the invention, the sliding connection between the fixed frame and the cutting unit comprises two guide rods of the frame, parallel to the cutting direction, to which two connecting sleeves of the cutting unit are slidably connected.

[0019] The sliding drive means allows the cutting unit to move along the fixed frame. The sliding drive means comprises a spindle parallel to the cutting direction to which the cutting unit's motor is coupled. Thus, Driving this motor in either direction moves the cutting unit forward to cut the pipe (i.e., in the direction "suggested" by the U-shaped arms), or backward, but in both cases, depending on the cutting direction.

[0020] The drive means that guide and drive the diamond wire can be implemented in various ways. For example, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, these means comprise two pulleys at the ends of the arms of the U-shaped body that define the cutting section of the diamond wire, a drive pulley connected to a second motor that drives the wire, and a tension pulley, movable perpendicularly to a junction line between the pulley and the drive pulley to tension the diamond wire. These pulleys create a wire path contained in a plane parallel to that containing the U-shaped body, and in any case, having a very small thickness.

[0021] Normally, it is necessary to cool the wire in the cutting area to dissipate the heat generated by friction. To this end, the cutting unit body preferably has two cooling water lines located next to the ends of the U-shaped body arms. Each line has an inlet end for connection to a coolant supply and an outlet end directed towards the cutting area of ​​the diamond-coated wire. In this way, the water supply can be connected to the inlet end and, when cutting is in progress, jets of water are directed towards the wire in the cutting area.

[0022] According to one feature, the cutting head includes a protective plate attached to the U-shaped body of the cutting unit so as to cover the drive means for the diamond wire. This protective plate, normally the same shape as the U-shaped body, is attached to the U-shaped body by any suitable means, such as screws. The protective plate is attached to the U-shaped body, leaving a small space between the two to accommodate the pulleys that form the path of the cutting wire.

[0023] (b) Clamping tool

[0024] The clamping tool is attached to the pipe to be cut. For this purpose, it includes means for connecting to the fixed frame and means for attaching to the pipe. These connecting and attaching means are configured so that the pipe is fixed between the arms of the U-shaped body with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the aforementioned plane.

[0025] According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the clamping tool comprises a plate having a first side fixed to the base of the frame perpendicular to the cutting direction and a second side fixed to the pipe perpendicular to the cutting direction and to the plane containing the cutting unit.

[0026] The coupling means with the fixed frame can be implemented in various ways, provided that they allow the clamping tool to be firmly connected to the fixed frame of the cutting head. For example, in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the coupling means comprise two raised studs perpendicularly to the first face of the clamping tool plate for engaging with corresponding holes in the base of the frame. Furthermore, these coupling means comprise screws at the corners of the plate for engaging with corresponding holes at the corners of the base of the frame.

[0027] The means for attaching the pipe can also be implemented in various ways, provided that the pipe is fixed perpendicular to the plane containing the cutting unit. For example, the means for attaching the pipe may preferably comprise two support wedges fixed to the second face of the plate, with their inclined sides facing each other, and two strap tie-down posts projecting perpendicularly from the ends of the first face of the plate.

[0028] The support wedges could be fixed. However, in order to give the clamping tool greater adaptability to pipes of different diameters, the support wedges are connected below the plate by means of sliding fastening means in the direction perpendicular to the cutting direction and contained within the plane. These sliding fastening means fix the support wedges in the desired position on the plate according to the pipe diameter.

[0029] (c) Control cabinet

[0030] The control cabinet is equipped with means for controlling the operation of the cutting head.

[0031] (d) Transport trolley

[0032] The wheeled transport trolley is configured so that a single operator can transport the assembly consisting of the cutting head, the clamping tool and the control cabinet.

[0033] Thanks to this configuration, when the clamping tool is securely fixed to the pipe, activating the sliding drive means moves the cutting unit longitudinally towards the pipe. Simultaneously, the cutting wire drive means is activated. The combination of these two actions causes the cutting section to move towards the pipe, and the diamond wire cuts the pipe. Brief description of the drawings

[0034] The device of the invention is described below with reference to the figures showing its various elements.

[0035] [Fig. 1] Perspective view of the cutting device of the present invention,

[0036] [Fig.2] Perspective view of the tool for fixing the cutting device,

[0037] [Fig.3] view of the pipe surmounted by the cutting device,

[0038] [Fig.4] Front perspective view of the cutting head,

[0039] [Fig.5] Another perspective view of the rear of the cutting head according to the present invention,

[0040] [Fig.6] Another perspective view of the cutting head according to the present invention without the protective plate,

[0041] [Fig.7a] Perspective view of the device fixed to a pipe and in the initial position to begin a cut,

[0042] [Fig.7b] Front perspective view of the device fixed to a pipe and in initial position to begin a cut.

[0043] [Fig.8] device attached to a pipe just after the end of a cutting process.

[0044] PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION

[0045] According to [Fig.1], the device (1) of this example is essentially composed of four main elements: the cutting head (2), the clamping tool (3), the control cabinet (5) and the transport trolley (6).

[0046] The clamping tool (3), illustrated in detail in figures 2 and 3, essentially consists of an essentially rectangular plate (31) with coupling means with the fixed frame (21) of the cutting head (2), which will be described later, and means for clamping the pipe (100) to be cut.

[0047] The means for attaching the pipe (100) comprise two complementary elements: support wedges (313) and lashing posts (314). The support wedges (313) are fixed to the underside of the plate (31) and have opposing sides to provide stable support for the pipe (100). A pipe (100) held by these wedges (313) is thus oriented parallel to the shorter sides of the rectangular plate (31). The lashing posts (314) are located on top of the plate (31), precisely next to the shorter sides of the rectangle; they provide a lashing point for a strap (200) attached to the pipe (100). For this purpose, the lashing posts (314) consist of two parallel bars joined at their upper ends.

[0048] In this example, to adapt their position to the diameter of each pipe (100), the shims (313) are fixed to the plate (31) by sliding connecting means (315) in a direction perpendicular to the short sides of the plate (31). The sliding connecting means (315) have elements for fixing the position of the shims (313) in the desired position in each case.

[0049] The coupling means to the fixed frame (21) also include two additional elements, namely two raised studs (311) positioned perpendicularly above the plate (31) near its short sides. These two studs (311) fit into holes in the base of the frame (21) of the cutting head (2). To fix the plate (31) to the frame (21), these coupling means also have screws (312) at the corners of the plate (31) for screwing into corresponding holes at the corners of the base of the frame (21). Thus, by placing the base of the frame (21) on top of the plate (31) to insert the nipples (311) into the holes, and by tightening the screws (312) into the second holes, the two components are quickly and securely fixed.

[0050] Figures 4, 5 and 6 are views of the cutting head (2) showing the main components of the cutting head, namely the fixed frame (21) and the cutting unit (22).

[0051] The fixed frame (21) is a structure consisting of two main vertical uprights joined at their ends. The base of this fixed frame (21) includes a plate with the first and second holes mentioned, for fixing the top of the plate (31) of the device (3) firmly to the base of the fixed frame (21).

[0052] The fixed frame (21) is slidably connected to the cutting unit (22). To this end, the structure of the fixed frame (21) includes a pair of vertical rods (211) next to the main uprights. The cutting unit (22) includes sleeves (224) through which these vertical rods (211) pass, so that the sleeves (224) can move up and down along the vertical rods (211).

[0053] Thus, a sliding drive means (23) slides the cutting unit (22) vertically along the fixed frame (21). In the position in which the device (1) is shown in this example, the vertical direction coincides with the cutting direction (DC). The sliding drive means (23) comprises a spindle (23a) fixed to the structure of the fixed frame (21) to which an electric motor (23b) is coupled, connected to the cutting unit (22). The electric motor (23b) drives the movement of the cutting unit (22) in one or the other direction along the cutting direction (DC), that is, the vertical direction.

[0054] The cutting unit (22) comprises a essentially flat, inverted U-shaped body (221) to which a protective plate (24) of the same shape is attached, leaving a relatively small gap between them through which the cutting wire (4) passes, as will be described. The body (221) is practically contained within the plane (ji), which is a vertical plane containing the cutting direction (DC). The dimensions of the body (221) and the U-shaped plate (24) are such that the gap between the two arms of the U is greater than the diameter of the pipes (100) to be cut. The sleeves (224) and the motor (23b) are attached to the face of this body (221) of the cutting unit (22) opposite to the face to which the protective plate (24) is attached.

[0055] The interior of the cutting unit (22), between the body plate (221) and the plate (24), houses the cutting wire drive means. These drive means comprise four pulleys, namely two pulleys (221a, 221d) at the ends of the U-shaped body arms (221), a drive pulley (221b), and a tension pulley (221c). The pulleys (221a, 221d) located between the body arms (221) define the section of the cutting wire (4) where the pipe (100) is cut, referred to herein as the "cutting section (CT)". The cutting section (CT) lies in the plane of the U-shaped body plate (221) and is perpendicular to the cutting direction (DC) or vertical direction. The drive pulley (221b), located at the base of the U-shaped body (221), is connected, via the body (221), to a second motor (221e) which selectively drives it. Finally, the tension pulley (221c), also located near the base of the U-shaped body (221), is movable perpendicular to a line connecting the pulley (221d) and the drive pulley (221b) to tension or slacken the cutting line (4). As shown in [Fig. 6], the cutting line (4), guided along its path by these four pulleys, is driven by the drive pulley (221b).

[0056] The cutting unit (22) is further equipped with cooling means comprising water pipes (222) passing through the arms of the U-shaped body. Each of these pipes (222) has an inlet end (222a) for being connected to a coolant supply and an outlet end (222b) directed towards the cutting section (TC) of the cutting wire (4).

[0057] The operation of this device (1) is as follows: it is attached to the pipe (100) to be cut, by the underside of the clamping device (3), and to the cutting head (2) by the upper side of the clamping device (3). The result of this operation is shown in Figures 7a and 7b. A water supply is then connected to the inlet ends (222a) of the cooling lines (222), so that jets of water are directed onto the cutting wire (4) in the cutting section (TC). The second motor (221e) is activated to drive the pulley (221b), which in turn drives the cutting wire (4). Then, the first motor (23b) can be activated, and the cutting unit (22) descends relative to the fixed frame (21). The cutting wire (4) begins to cut the pipe (100). As shown in [Fig.8], the cutting operation ends when the cutting wire (4) reaches the bottom of the pipe (100).At this point, the direction of rotation of the first motor (23b) can be reversed to return the cutting unit (22) to its initial position. All these actions are controlled by the control cabinet (5).

Claims

Demands

1. A self-contained portable pipe cutting device (1), characterized in that it comprises: (a) a cutting head (2) for cutting a pipe (100), comprising a fixed frame (21), a cutting unit (22) slidably coupled to the fixed frame (21) along a cutting direction (DC), and a sliding drive means (23) for moving the cutting unit (22) relative to the fixed frame (21) along the cutting direction (DC), the cutting unit (22) comprising a U-shaped body (221) essentially contained in a plane (ji) parallel to the cutting direction (DC), - the U-shaped body (221) comprising means (221a, 221b, 221c, 221d) for actuation of a cutting wire (4) configured to drive the cutting wire (4) in a cutting section (TC) located between the ends of the arms of the U-shaped body (221), this cutting section (TC) is contained in the plane (ji) perpendicular to the cutting direction (DC), and (b) a clamping tool (3) fixed to the pipe (100) to be cut,comprising means for coupling to the fixed frame (21) and means for fixing to the pipe (100), the coupling and fixing means are fixed to the pipe (100) between the arms of the U-shaped body (221) whose longitudinal axis is perpendicular to the plane (ji), so that, when the pipe (100) is fixed rigidly to the clamping tool (3), the activation of the sliding drive means (23) moves the cutting unit (22) along the longitudinal direction (DC) towards the pipe (100), in combination with the activation of the drive means (221a, 221b, 221c, 221d) of the cutting wire (4), the cutting section (TC) moving towards the pipe (100) and the cutting wire (4) cutting the pipe (100).

2. Device (1) according to claim 1, wherein the fixed frame (21) comprises a structure composed of two main uprights oriented in the cutting direction (DC) connected at their ends by two plates.

3. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the sliding coupling between the fixed frame (21) and the cutting unit (22) comprises two guide rods (211) of the frame (21) parallel to the cutting direction (DC), on which slide two connecting sleeves (224) of the cutting unit (22).

4. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sliding drive means (23) comprises a spindle (23a) of the frame (21), parallel to the cutting direction (DC) and to which is coupled a motor (23b) of the cutting unit (22).

5. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the drive means (221a, 221b, 221c, 221d) comprise two pulleys (221a, 221d) at the ends of the U-shaped arms of the body (221) delimiting the cutting section (TC) of the cutting wire (4), a drive pulley (221b) connected to a second motor (221e) which moves the cutting wire (4), and a tension pulley (221c) movable perpendicular to the line connecting the pulley (221d) and the drive pulley (221b) to tension the cutting wire (4).

6. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the body (221) of the cutting unit (22) further comprises two cooling water lines (222) near the ends of the U-shaped arms of the body (221), each line (222) having an inlet end (222a) connected to a coolant supply and an outlet end (222b) directed towards the cutting section (TC) of the cutting wire (4).

7. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cutting head (2) comprises a protective plate (24) fixed to the U-shaped body (221) of the cutting unit (22) so as to cover the drive means (221a, 221b, 221c, 221d) of the cutting wire (4).

8. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fastening tool (3) comprises a plate (31) having a first side for fastening to the base of the frame (21) perpendicular to the cutting direction (DC) and a second side for fastening the pipe (100) perpendicular to the cutting direction (DC) and to the plane (ji) containing the unit of cup (22).

9. Device (1) according to claim 8, wherein the means for fixing to the fixed frame (21) comprise two raised studs (311) perpendicular to the first face of the plate (31) of the fixing tool (3) for engaging in corresponding holes in the base of the frame (21), and screws (312) in the corners of the plate (31) for screwing into corresponding holes located in the corners of the base of the frame (21).

10. Device (1) according to any one of claims 8 to 9, wherein the pipe (100) fixing means comprise two support wedges (313) for the support, fixed to the second face of the plate (31) with their inclined walls facing each other, and two uprights (314) for the fixing of a strap (200) extending perpendicularly from the ends of the first face of the plate (31).

11. Device (1) according to claim 10, wherein the support wedges (313) are fixed to the second face of the plate (31) by sliding fastening means (315) in a direction perpendicular to the cutting direction (DC) and contained in the plane (ji), the sliding fastening means (315) fixing the support wedges (313) in the desired position of the plate (31) according to the diameter of the pipe (100).

12. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising: a control cabinet (5) equipped with means for controlling the operation of the cutting head (2).

13. Device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, further comprising: a transport trolley (6) equipped with wheels for transporting the assembly consisting of the cutting head (2), the clamping tool (3) and the control cabinet (5).