Joints and structures, and methods for assembling structures

Abstract

To provide a joint that can connect steel pipes readily with a high degree of freedom without processing an end surface of a shaft member, and to provide a structure and a method for assembling a structure.SOLUTION: A joint 140 for connecting steel pipes 130 to be installed inside a casing includes: one of the flat surfaces 141 perpendicular to an axis line of one of the steel pipes 130 and on which an end surface of the one of the steel pipes 130 abuts; and the other flat surface 141 perpendicular to an axis line of the other steel pipe 130 and on which an end surface of the other steel pipe 130 abuts.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 3

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to joints, structures, and a method for assembling a structure.

Background Art

[0002] For example, a condenser into which steam discharged from a steam turbine provided in a power plant is introduced may have a high-vacuum state inside in order to sufficiently expand the steam in the steam turbine to achieve high efficiency. In this case, in order to withstand the external pressure during operation, inside the casing of the condenser, a three-dimensional lattice structure formed by intersecting and connecting a plurality of long members may be provided as a reinforcing member.

[0003] Here, although Patent Document 1 does not connect long members used as reinforcing members of a container, it describes a joint that can connect pipes by screwing a plurality of pipes from a plurality of directions.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] When the steam introduced into the condenser does not contain a corrosive fluid (e.g., chlorine, etc.), carbon steel can be used as the material of the reinforcing member. Therefore, by using shaped steel such as CT steel, H steel, and square steel pipes, which are generally easily available, the shape of the connection portion between the long members can be simplified.

[0006] On the other hand, in cases where the steam introduced into the condenser contains corrosive fluids, such as in a geothermal power plant, carbon steel structural steel cannot be used due to the risk of corrosion. In this case, long members made of corrosion-resistant alloys such as stainless steel must be used.

[0007] An example of a readily available long stainless steel member is a steel pipe with an annular cross-section. However, in order to intersect and connect each of the steel pipes extending in the three axial directions at one point, it is necessary to perform complex processing to make the end faces of steel pipe 232 and steel pipe 233 saddle-shaped, as shown in Figures 9 and 10, and the procedure for assembling the steel pipes becomes complicated.

[0008] Specifically, when machining is performed on the end faces of steel pipe 232 and steel pipe 233, it is necessary to move steel pipe 232 in the axial direction in order to bring the end face of steel pipe 232, which follows the saddle shape, into contact with the outer surface of steel pipe 231. Similarly, it is necessary to move steel pipe 233 in the axial direction in order to bring the end face of steel pipe 233, which follows the saddle shape, into contact with the outer surfaces of steel pipes 231 and 232. For this reason, as shown in Figure 9, the steel pipes 231, 232, and 233 must be assembled in that order.

[0009] Furthermore, even if a joint like the one described in Patent Document 1 is used, axial movement of the steel pipe is required due to the screwing process. This complicates the procedure for assembling the steel pipes.

[0010] This disclosure has been made in view of these circumstances, and aims to provide a joint and structure, as well as a method for assembling the structure, that can easily and freely connect steel pipes to each other without processing the end faces of the shaft members. [Means for solving the problem]

[0011] To solve the above problems, the joints and structures and assembly methods of the structures described herein employ the following means. In other words, a joint according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a joint for connecting shaft members provided inside a housing, comprising: one plane perpendicular to the axis of one of the shaft members and with which the end face of the one shaft member abuts; and another plane perpendicular to the axis of the other shaft member and with which the end face of the other shaft member abuts.

[0012] Furthermore, a structure according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a joint and a reinforcing member having a plurality of the shaft members, and a housing, wherein the reinforcing member is provided inside the housing, and each of the end faces of the plurality of shaft members is connected to a different plane of one of the joints.

[0013] Furthermore, a method for assembling a structure according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method for assembling a structure comprising a reinforcing member having the above-mentioned joint and a plurality of the shaft members, and the housing, the method comprising the steps of arranging the shaft members between the joint of the reinforcing member and the joint of another reinforcing member, and welding the shaft members to each of the planes of each of the joints. [Effects of the Invention]

[0014] According to this disclosure, steel pipes can be easily and freely connected to each other without processing the end faces of the shaft members. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0015] [Figure 1] This is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a condenser as a structure according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] This is a cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line II-II shown in Figure 1. [Figure 3] Figure 1 is an enlarged view of section A, and is a front view of a joint according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 4] This is a perspective view of a joint according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 5] Figure 4 shows a cross-sectional view along the cutting line VV. [Figure 6] This is a front view of another example of a joint according to one embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 7] It is a diagram showing a condenser divided into blocks. [Figure 8] It is a diagram showing a state where a steel pipe is inserted into a joint pipe. [Figure 9] It is a diagram showing a state in which steel pipes are cross-connected (comparative example). [Figure 10] It is a perspective view showing the end face of a steel pipe (comparative example).

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0016] Hereinafter, a joint, a structure, and a method for assembling the structure according to an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings.

[0017] The joint 140 according to the present embodiment is used as a part of a reinforcing member 120 of a structure having a space inside. Hereinafter, the condenser 100 will be described as an example of the structure. Note that the structure is not limited to the condenser 100, and any container having a space inside and to which internal pressure or external pressure is applied may be used.

[0018] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the condenser 100 has a housing 110. The housing 110 is box-shaped, and as shown in FIG. 2, its cross-section is square.

[0019] For example, the upper part of the housing 110 branches into two, and steam inlets 112 are provided on the upper surfaces of the respective branched portions. Steam discharged from a steam turbine provided in a power plant is guided to the steam inlets 112. The steam guided into the housing 110 through the steam inlets 112 is condensed into water by being cooled.

[0020] A reinforcing member 120 is provided inside the housing 110 configured as described above. The reinforcing member 120 is a member for suppressing deformation of the wall portion of the housing 110 that becomes a high-vacuum state inside.

[0021] The reinforcing member 120 has multiple steel pipes (axial members) 130 and multiple joints 140, and the multiple steel pipes 130 are connected in a three-dimensional grid shape via the joints 140.

[0022] The steel pipe 130 is a long, cylindrical member that extends in the axial direction. Examples of materials for the steel pipe 130 include corrosion-resistant metals such as stainless steel. Furthermore, a solid shaft member may be used instead of the hollow steel pipe 130. Also, its cross-sectional shape is not limited to an annular (circular) shape.

[0023] Each end face of the steel pipe 130 is not subjected to complex processing such as forming a saddle-shaped edge or threading; each end face of the steel pipe 130 is simply a flat surface. Furthermore, each plane formed by each end face of the steel pipe 130 is perpendicular to the axis of the steel pipe 130. Therefore, the length of the steel pipe 130 can be easily adjusted by simply cutting the steel pipe 130 straight from a direction perpendicular to its axis.

[0024] The joint 140 is a component used to connect multiple steel pipes 130 together. Examples of materials for the joint 140 include corrosion-resistant metals such as stainless steel. The joint 140 may also be a casting.

[0025] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the joint 140 is a member having six planes 141. The joint 140 is, for example, a cubic-shaped member. The end face of the steel pipe 130 abuts against each plane 141. Each plane 141 has an outer shape larger than the outer shape of the end face of the steel pipe 130 to which it is connected. Specifically, the dimensions of each side of the plane 141 are such that they are equal to or greater than the outer diameter of the steel pipe 130.

[0026] Hereafter, when distinguishing each plane 141 of the joint 140, the terms "first plane 141a", "second plane 141b", "third plane 141c", "fourth plane 141d", "fifth plane 141e", and "sixth plane 141f" will be used.

[0027] The first plane 141a and the sixth plane 141f are parallel to each other. Also, the second plane 141b and the fifth plane 141e are parallel to each other. Furthermore, the third plane 141c and the fourth plane 141d are parallel to each other. Furthermore, the first plane 141a, the second plane 141b, and the third plane 141c are approximately perpendicular to each other. The same applies to the fourth plane 141d, the fifth plane 141e, and the sixth plane 141f. As a result, as shown in Figure 3, each steel pipe 130 extending in three mutually orthogonal axial directions can be connected at one point via the joint 140. The specific method of connecting the joint 140 and the steel pipe 130 will be described later.

[0028] As shown in Figures 4 and 5, the joint 140 has a first through hole 142a, a second through hole 142b, and a third through hole 142c. The first through-hole 142a is a hole that penetrates the opposing first plane 141a and the sixth plane 141f. The second through-hole 142b is a hole that penetrates the opposing second plane 141b and the fifth plane 141e. The third through-hole 142c is a hole that penetrates the opposing third plane 141c and the fourth plane 141d. The diameters of the first through-hole 142a, the second through-hole 142b, and the third through-hole 142c are, for example, about the same as the inner diameter of the steel pipe 130. By forming the first through-hole 142a, the second through-hole 142b, and the third through-hole 142c, a space is created inside the joint 140, making the joint 140 lighter. Furthermore, since the inside of the steel pipe 130 connected to the first plane 141a and the inside of the steel pipe 130 connected to the sixth plane 141f are in communication, corrosive fluids are less likely to accumulate inside each steel pipe 130 and inside the joint 140.

[0029] By combining the joint 140 configured as described above with the steel pipe 130, a reinforcing member 120 is formed in which multiple steel pipes 130 are connected in a three-dimensional grid pattern via the joint 140, as shown in Figures 1 and 2. Furthermore, since the end face of the outermost steel pipe 130 of the reinforcing material 120 is connected to the wall surface of the housing 110, the deformation of the wall portion of the housing 110 can be suppressed by the reinforcing material 120.

[0030] Next, we will explain how to connect the steel pipe 130 and the joint 140. As shown in Figure 3, first, the end face of the steel pipe 130 is brought into contact with the flat surface 141 of the joint 140. It is preferable to have a groove 131 formed on the end face of the steel pipe 130. After butting the steel pipe 130 against the joint 140, the gap between the groove surface 131 and the flat surface 141 of the steel pipe 130 is welded. This forms a welded joint 121 joined to the groove surface 131 and the flat surface 141 of the steel pipe 130, connecting the steel pipe 130 and the joint 140.

[0031] Furthermore, the welding method is not limited to groove welding. As shown in Figure 6, fillet welding may be performed between the outer surface of the steel pipe 130, which does not have a groove surface 131 on its end face, and the flat surface 141. In this case, the dimensions of each side of the flat surface 141 must be larger than the outer diameter of the steel pipe 130 in order to secure space for forming the weld 121.

[0032] Next, we will explain how to assemble the condenser 100. As shown in Figure 7, the condenser 100, which has a housing 110 and reinforcing members 120, is divided into a plurality of blocks 101 before assembly. In the example shown in Figure 7, the condenser 100 is divided into a first block 101a, a second block 101b, a third block 101c, and a fourth block 101d.

[0033] Each block 101 has a divided housing 111 and a reinforcing member 120 assembled to fit within the divided housing 111. Each block 101 is assembled at a factory or similar facility before being transported to the installation site.

[0034] The divided enclosure 111 is obtained by dividing the enclosure 110 according to the block 101. In the example shown in Figure 7, the enclosure 110 is divided into a first divided enclosure 111a, a second divided enclosure 111b, a third divided enclosure 111c, and a fourth divided enclosure 111d. For example, the first divided enclosure 111a corresponds to the first block 101a.

[0035] Each block 101, which is transported individually, is assembled and integrated at the installation site. Specifically, first, the individual partitioned enclosures 111 of each block 101 are connected to each other. Subsequently, steel pipes 130 (hereinafter referred to as "connecting steel pipes 130'") that connect the reinforcing members 120 of each block 101 are placed between the joints 140 and connected.

[0036] To explain using the example of connecting the first block 101a and the second block 101b, first connect the first divided enclosure 111a and the second divided enclosure 111b. Subsequently, as shown in Figure 8, a connecting steel pipe 130' is inserted between the joint 140 of the reinforcing member 120a and the joint 140 of the reinforcing member 120b to connect the reinforcing member 120a pre-assembled to the first divided housing 111a and the reinforcing member 120b pre-assembled to the second divided housing 111b, and the connecting steel pipe 130' is welded to each joint 140. This makes it easy to connect and integrate the reinforcing members 120a and 120b. In this case, since the end face of the connecting steel pipe 130' is flat, the connecting steel pipe 130' can be inserted between the joints 140 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction without moving it in the axial direction.

[0037] By performing the above steps between the first block 101a and the second block 101b, between the second block 101b and the third block 101c, and between the third block 101c and the fourth block 101d, one condenser 100 is assembled.

[0038] This embodiment provides the following effects. In other words, since the joint 140 is perpendicular to the end face of the steel pipe 130 and has a flat surface 141 that the end face abuts against, the steel pipes 130 can be connected to each other (and consequently to each other, to each other, to each other) via the joint 140 without processing the end face of the steel pipe 130 or moving the steel pipe 130 in the axial direction. This makes it possible to easily and flexibly connect readily available steel pipes 130 to each other.

[0039] Furthermore, by using the joint 140, a connecting steel pipe 130' can be inserted between one joint 140 and another joint 140. For this reason, pre-assembled reinforcing members 120 into the divided housing 111 (each block 101) can be prepared, transported, assembled at the installation site, and then the reinforcing members 120 of each block 101 can be easily connected to each other with the connecting steel pipe 130'.

[0040] Furthermore, if the fitting 140 is made of cast iron, it becomes possible to mass-produce fittings 140 with less variation in quality.

[0041] Furthermore, since the housing 110 has a portion with a rectangular cross-section where stress is less likely to be distributed, the housing 110 can be reinforced by using the reinforcing material 120 in that portion.

[0042] Furthermore, by forming a first through-hole 142a, a second through-hole 142b, and a third through-hole 142c in the joint 140, a space is created inside the joint 140, making the joint 140 lighter. This makes it easier for workers to transport. Furthermore, since, for example, the interior of the steel pipe 130 connected to the first plane 141a and the interior of the steel pipe 130 connected to the sixth plane 141f are in communication, corrosive fluids are less likely to accumulate inside each steel pipe 130 and the joint 140. This prevents the contact between oxygen, which generates an oxide film (a protective film with corrosion resistance) on the surface of the stainless steel, and the inner surface of the circular pipe from being hindered by accumulated corrosive fluids, thereby maintaining the corrosion resistance of the reinforcing material 120.

[0043] Furthermore, the joint 140 is not limited to a cube (regular hexahedron) as long as it has a first plane 141a, a second plane 141b, a third plane 141c, a fourth plane 141d, a fifth plane 141e, and a sixth plane 141f. For example, any polyhedron such as a regular dodecahedron can have predetermined faces that can be used as the first plane 141a, a second plane 141b, a third plane 141c, a fourth plane 141d, a fifth plane 141e, and a sixth plane 141f. Furthermore, it is not necessary to connect the steel pipe 130 to all planes 141; the joint 140 can function by connecting the steel pipe 130 to at least two surfaces.

[0044] The joint and structure, as well as the method for assembling the structure, according to the embodiment described above, can be understood, for example, as follows. That is, a joint (140) according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a joint (140) for connecting shaft members (130) provided inside a housing (110), comprising: one plane (141) perpendicular to the axis of one shaft member (130) and with which the end face of the shaft member (130) abuts; and another plane (141) perpendicular to the axis of the other shaft member (130) and with which the end face of the other shaft member (130) abuts.

[0045] The joint (140) according to this embodiment includes one plane (141) perpendicular to the axis of one shaft member (130) and to which the end face of the shaft member (130) abuts, and another plane (141) perpendicular to the axis of the other shaft member (130) and to which the end face of the other shaft member (130) abuts. Therefore, shaft members (130) can be connected via the joint (140) without processing the end faces of each shaft member (130) and without moving each shaft member (130) in the axial direction as in a push-in joint. This makes it possible to easily and freely connect, for example, readily available stainless steel pipes. Note that "processing of the end face" here refers to, for example, threading or saddle-shaping the end face portion of the shaft member (130). Furthermore, since there is no need to process the end face of the shaft member (130), even when there are many shaft members (130) to be connected, the shaft members (130) can be connected to the joint (140) in any order. Furthermore, if the fittings (140) are made of cast iron, it becomes possible to mass-produce fittings (140) with less variation in quality.

[0046] Furthermore, in a joint (140) according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the housing (110) is a container that receives internal or external pressure, and the shaft member (130) is connected to the housing (110).

[0047] According to the joint (140) of this embodiment, the housing (110) is a container subjected to internal or external pressure, and the shaft member (130) is connected to the housing (110). Therefore, the reinforcing member (120) to which the joint (140) and the shaft member (130) are connected can be used, for example, in a vacuum vessel or a pressure vessel. An example of a vacuum vessel is a condenser into which steam exhausted from a steam turbine is drawn.

[0048] Furthermore, in a joint (140) according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the housing (110) has a portion having a square cross-section.

[0049] According to the joint (140) of this embodiment, since the housing (110) has a portion with a square cross-section, a reinforcing member (120) can be provided in the portion with a square cross-section that is deemed to require particular reinforcement.

[0050] Furthermore, the joint (140) according to one aspect of this disclosure has a hollow structure with a space formed inside.

[0051] According to this embodiment, the joint (140) has a hollow structure with a space formed inside, so the weight can be reduced compared to when the joint (140) is solid. This makes it easier for workers to transport.

[0052] Furthermore, in a joint (140) according to one aspect of the present disclosure, the space is in communication with the outside.

[0053] According to the joint (140) of this embodiment, since the space is in communication with the outside of the joint (140), when the shaft member (130) is a cylindrical pipe, corrosive fluids are less likely to accumulate inside the shaft member (130) or the joint (140). This prevents the contact between oxygen, which generates an oxide film on the surface of the stainless steel, and the inner surface of the cylindrical pipe from being hindered by accumulated corrosive fluids, thereby maintaining the corrosion resistance of the reinforcing material.

[0054] Furthermore, the joint (140) according to one aspect of the present disclosure has a cubic shape composed of six planes (141).

[0055] According to the joint (140) of this embodiment, since it has a cubic shape composed of six planes (141), it is possible to connect up to six shaft members (130) with a simple structure. It is not necessary to connect the shaft member (130) to all planes (141); the joint (140) will function by connecting the shaft member (130) to at least two planes.

[0056] Furthermore, a structure (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a reinforcing member (120) having the above-mentioned joint (140) and a plurality of the shaft members (130), and a housing (110), wherein the reinforcing member (120) is provided inside the housing (110), and each of the end faces of the plurality of shaft members (130) is connected to different planes (141) of one of the joints (140).

[0057] According to the structure (100) of this embodiment, the structure comprises a reinforcing member (120) having a joint (140) and shaft members (130), and a housing (110), wherein the reinforcing member (120) is provided inside the housing (110), and each end face of the multiple shaft members (130) is connected to different planes (141) of a single joint (140), so that the shaft members (130) can be connected to each other via the joint (140) without processing each end face of the shaft members (130) and without moving each shaft member (130) in the axial direction as in a plug-in type. Furthermore, as mentioned above, in connecting the joint (140) and the shaft member (130), there is no need to move each shaft member (130) axially, as in a push-in connection. This makes it possible to divide a single housing (110) into multiple blocks (101), attach the shaft members (130) and joints (140) to the blocks (101) in advance, transport them to the installation site, connect the blocks (101) to each other, and insert the shaft members (130) between the joints (140) attached to each block (101) to construct a structure (100) with reinforcing members (120).

[0058] Furthermore, in one aspect of the present disclosure, a structure (100) has a welded portion (121) formed on the plane (141) of the shaft member (130) and the joint (140).

[0059] According to the structure (100) of this embodiment, a welded portion (121) is formed on the aforementioned surfaces of the shaft member (130) and the joint (140), so that the shaft member (130) and the joint (140) can be connected by welding. Examples of welding include groove welding between the end face of the shaft member (130) and the plane (141) of the joint (140), and fillet welding between the outer circumferential surface of the shaft member (130) and the plane (141) of the joint (140).

[0060] Furthermore, a method for assembling a structure (100) according to one aspect of the present disclosure is a method for assembling a structure (100) comprising a reinforcing member (120) having the above-mentioned joint (140) and a plurality of the shaft members (130), and a housing (110), the method comprising the steps of: arranging the shaft members (130') between the joint (140) of the reinforcing member (120) and the joint (140) of another reinforcing member (120); and connecting the shaft members (130') and each of the planes (141) of each of the joints (140) by welding. [Explanation of symbols]

[0061] 100 Condenser 101 blocks 101a Block 1 101b Block 2 101c Block 3 101d Block 4 110 cabinets 111-part enclosure 111a First Split Enclosure 111b Second Split Cabinet 111c Third Split Casing 111d Fourth Split Cabinet 112 Steam Inlet 120, 120a, 120b Reinforcement material 121 Welded section 130 Steel pipe (shaft member) 130' Connecting steel pipe (shaft member) 131 Bevel surface 140 fittings 141 plane 141a 1st plane 141b 2nd plane 141c 3rd plane 141d 4th plane 141e 5th plane 141f 6th plane 142a First through hole 142b Second through hole 142c Third through hole

Claims

1. A joint that connects shaft members located inside a housing, A plane perpendicular to the axis of one of the aforementioned shaft members, and to which the end face of the aforementioned shaft member is connected by welding, It is perpendicular to the axis of the other shaft member, and the end face of the other shaft member is connected by welding, and the other plane facing the first plane, Equipped with, A through hole is formed that penetrates the first plane and the other plane. A joint in which the diameter of the through hole is smaller than the outer diameter of the shaft member.

2. The aforementioned housing is a container that is subjected to internal or external pressure. The joint according to claim 1, wherein the end face of the shaft member that is not connected to the plane is connected to the housing by welding.

3. The joint according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the housing has a portion having a square cross-section.

4. The joint according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein it has a hollow structure with a space formed inside.

5. The joint according to claim 4, wherein the space is in communication with the outside through the through hole.

6. The joint according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein it has a cubic shape composed of the six aforementioned planes.

7. A joint according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a reinforcing member having a plurality of the axial members, The aforementioned housing and, Equipped with, The reinforcing material is provided inside the housing, A structure in which each end face of a plurality of shaft members is welded to different planes of a single joint.

8. The shaft member is a hollow tubular member, The end faces of the two shaft members are welded to the planes facing each other. The structure according to claim 7, wherein the interiors of each axial member are in communication with one another through the through-hole of the joint.

9. The structure according to claim 7, wherein a welded portion is formed on the plane of the shaft member and the joint.

10. A joint according to any one of claims 1 to 6 and a reinforcing member having a plurality of the axial members, The aforementioned housing and, A method for assembling a structure that includes the following: A step of arranging the shaft member between the joint of the reinforcing material and the joint of another reinforcing material, A step of connecting the shaft member and each of the planes of each of the joints by welding, A method for assembling structures that include [specific components / structures].

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