A system for machining a tubular object

Abstract

The present invention relates to a system (100) for machining a tubular object (1), The system comprises a motor unit (50) comprising a machining blade (500) and a clamping mechanism (2), the clamping mechanism (2) is arranged to be rotatably supported onto the tubular object (1) to be machined. The clamping mechanism (2) comprises an adjusting arrangement (300), the adjusting arrangement (300) is connected to the frame element (5). The adjusting arrangement (300) is arranged to move the clamping mechanism (2) between an expanded position and a shrunken position.

Description

[0001] A system for machining a tubular object

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0003] The invention relates to an A system for manipulating, such as machining and especially cutting tubular and round-bar type objects.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] A variety of tools are known from the prior art for machining, such as for cutting a tubular or round-bar type objects. One exemplary tool of the prior art is a device comprising a clamping mechanism adapted to be fastened to the workpiece rotatably there around. The clamping mechanism has attached thereto a tool unit, which is provided with adjustment means for displacing said tool unit relative to the clamping mechanism towards or away from the workpiece. The clamping mechanism included a frame element and first and second arms extending therefrom, the arms being articulated at one end to the frame element of the clamping mechanism and each arm has its free end fitted with a bearing axle, which is provided with at least one bearing wheel. The clamping mechanism has its frame element provided in a rotatable and axially immobile fashion with a threaded shaft, whose first end has a right-handed thread provided with a first nut and whose second end has a left-handed thread provided with a second nut. The threaded shaft is provided with a member for rotating the threaded shaft, and the first arm and the first nut are articulated to each other by means of a first suspension arm and the second arm and the second nut are articulated to each other by means of a second suspension arm.

[0006] This system has functioned excellently. However, there are tubular or round-bar type objects having various diameters. Thus, there is need to provide system so that it has a capability to machine reliably objects having a a wider range of diameters.

[0007] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] An object of the invention is to eliminate or at least alleviate and the problems relating to the known prior art. Especially the object of the invention is to provide a system, which can be used easily and safety to machine objects having a wide range of diameters.

[0009] The object of the invention can be achieved by the features of independent claim. The preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the dependent claims.

[0010] The invention relates to a system according to claim 1. The invention is based on experiments that evaluate a structure of the clamping mechanism so that clamping mechanism may be use for a large variation of tubular objects. The synergistic effect described herein was surprising as certain dimension ranges and ratios provided an unexpected improvement to drawback of the prior art solutions. The system comprises a motor unit comprising a machining blade.

[0011] The system comprises a clamping mechanism. The clamping mechanism is arranged to be rotatably supported onto the tubular object to be machined. The clamping mechanism comprises a frame element, a first arm extending from the frame element, and a second arm extending from the frame element, a first end of the first arm is rotatably supported to the frame element with a first support hinge, and the second end of the first arm is provided with a first arm wheel, a first end of the second arm is rotatably supported to the frame element with a second support hinge, and the second end of the second arm is provided with a second arm wheel, the clamping mechanism comprises an adjusting arrangement, the adjusting arrangement is connected to the frame element, the clamping mechanism comprises a first suspension arm, a first end of the first suspension arm is rotatably connected to the first arm between the first end of the first arm and the second end of the first arm with a first suspension hinge, the second end of the first suspension arm is provided with a first suspension arm wheel, the first suspension arm is rotatably connected to the adjusting arrangement with a first adjusting hinge in the vicinity of the first suspension arm wheel, the clamping mechanism comprises a second suspension arm, a first end of the second suspension arm is rotatably connected to the second arm between the first end of the second arm and the second end of the second arm with a second suspension hinge, the second end of the second suspension arm is provided with a second suspension arm wheel, the second suspension arm is rotatably connected to the adjusting arrangement with a second adjusting hinge in the vicinity of the second end of the second suspension arm, an adjusting arrangement is arranged to move the clamping mechanism between an expanded position and a shrunken position, the first arm wheel, the second arm wheel, the first suspension arm wheel and the second suspension arm wheel are arranged to be positioned onto the tubular object to be machined, A distance between a rotation axis of the first suspension arm wheel and a rotation axis of the second suspension arm wheel is a first suspension length.

[0012] A difference between the first suspension length in the expanded position and the first suspension length in the shrunken position is a first distance travel. A distance between a rotation axis of the first support hinge and a rotation axis of the second support hinge is a first length. A distance between the rotation axis of the first support hinge and the rotation axis of the first arm wheel is a second length.

[0013] A distance between the rotation axis of the first support hinge and first suspension hinge is a third length.

[0014] It was surprisingly found out that the clamping mechanism having the following dimensions provides a large range of diameters of tubular object to be machined so that the device moves smoothly around the tubular object during machining, is easy to handle and provides sufficient force to support the first support arm wheel and the second arm wheel on the tubular object:

[0015] - the first suspension length in the shrunken position is in the range between 40 mm and 115 mm,

[0016] - the first distance travel divided by the first length is in the range between 0,2 and 0,35 , and - the second length divided by the third length is in the range between 3,8 and 5.

[0017] In certain embodiments, the clamping mechanism comprises a first securing element and the motor unit comprises a second securing element, and the first securing element of the clamping mechanism is arranged to be releasably secured to the second securing element of the motor unit, the system comprises an additional clamping mechanism comprising a third securing element, and the third securing element of the additional clamping mechanism is arranged to be releasably secured to the second securing element of the motor unit, the first suspension length of the clamping mechanism is greater than a distance between a rotation axis of the first suspension arm wheel and a rotation axis of the second suspension arm wheel of the additional clamping mechanism. In other words, this embodiment enables using one motor unit for two or more separate clamping mechanisms so that two or more separate clamping mechanisms are arranged to be supported on tubular objects having different diameters.

[0018] The tool unit comprises preferably a circular saw, a bandsaw, or a piercing saw. Also, a bevelling saw for machining a bevel with a certain angle, e.g. 30° angle, at the end of the pipe can be used. Additionally, the rotation speed of the tool unit is advantageously adjustable depending e.g. on material of the workpiece in question, whereupon the tool unit, saw or blade can be saved for damages. It is to be noted that the tool unit is not limited to those examples only but may also comprise other types of saws or machining means.

[0019] The present invention offers advantages over the known prior art, such as it simplifies and facilitates the machining procedure, the system according to the invention enables machining tubular objects having a wide range of diameters.

[0020] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0021] Next the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to exemplary embodiments in accordance with the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows schematically a 3D view of the system according to the present invention,

[0022] Figure 2 shows schematically a side view of the clamping mechanism of the system shown in figure 1, and

[0023] Figure 3 shows schematically side view of one embodiment of clamping mechanism.

[0024] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVEI TION

[0025] The present invention will now be described more fully hereinafter. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided for thoroughness and completeness, and for fully convey the scope of the invention to a skilled person. Although individual features may be included in different embodiments, these may possibly be combined in other ways, and the inclusion in different embodiments does not imply that a combination of features is not feasible. In addition, singular references do not exclude a plurality. In the context of the present invention, the terms "a", "an" does not preclude a plurality.

[0026] As used herein, the term "comprising" includes the broader meanings of "including", "containing", and "comprehending", as well as the narrower expressions "consisting of" and "consisting only of'.

[0027] The present invention relates to a system 100 for machining a tubular object 1 shown in figures 1 and 2.

[0028] The system comprises a motor unit 50 comprising a machining blade 500, the system comprises a clamping mechanism 2, the clamping mechanism 2 is arranged to be rotatably supported onto the tubular object 1 to be machined, the clamping mechanism 2 comprises a frame element 5, a first arm 6 extending from the frame element 5, and a second arm 7 extending from the frame element 5, a first end of the first arm 6 is rotatably supported to the frame element 5 with a first support hinge 26, and the second end of the first arm 6 is provided with a first arm wheel 16, a first end of the second arm 7 is rotatably supported to the frame element 5 with a second support hinge 27, and the second end of the second arm 7 is provided with a second arm wheel 15, the clamping mechanism 2 comprises an adjusting arrangement 300, the adjusting arrangement 300 is connected to the frame element 5, the clamping mechanism 2 comprises a first suspension arm 24, a first end of the first suspension arm 24 is rotatably connected to the first arm 6 between the first end of the first arm 6 and the second end of the first arm 6 with a first suspension hinge 301, the second end of the first suspension arm 24 is provided with a first suspension arm wheel 501, the first suspension arm 24 is rotatably connected to the adjusting arrangement 300 with a first adjusting hinge 302 in the vicinity of the first suspension arm wheel 501, the clamping mechanism 2 comprises a second suspension arm 25, a first end 3006 of the second suspension arm 25 is rotatably connected to the second arm 7 between the first end of the second arm 7 and the second end of the second arm 7 with a second suspension hinge 303, the second end of the second suspension arm 25 is provided with a second suspension arm wheel 502, the second suspension arm 25 is rotatably connected to the adjusting arrangement 300 with a second adjusting hinge 304 in the vicinity of the second end of the second suspension arm 25, an adjusting arrangement 300 is arranged to move the clamping mechanism 2 between an expanded position and a shrunken position; the first arm wheel 16, the second arm wheel 15, the first suspension arm wheel 501 and the second suspension arm wheel 502 are arranged to be positioned onto the tubular object 1 to be machined, the distance between a rotation axis of the first suspension arm wheel 501 and a rotation axis of the second suspension arm wheel 502 is a first suspension length SL1, the first suspension length SL1 in the shrunken position is in the range between 40 mm and 115 mm, difference between the first suspension length SL1 in the expanded position and the first suspension length SL1 in the shrunken position is a first distance travel, the distance between a rotation axis of the first support hinge 26 and a rotation axis of the second support hinge 27 is a first length A, and the first distance travel divided by the first length A is in the range between 0,2 and 0,35, a distance between the rotation axis of the first support hinge 26 and the rotation axis of the first arm wheel 16 is a second length B, a distance between the rotation axis of the first support hinge 26 and first suspension hinge 301 is a third length C, and the second length B divided by the third length C is in the range between 3,8 and 5.

[0029] In certain embodiments, the second suspension arm 25 is rotatably connected to the adjusting arrangement 300 with a second adjusting hinge 304 in the vicinity of the second end of the second suspension arm 25 at a second hinge distance K' from the rotation axis of the second suspension hinge 303.

[0030] In certain embodiments, the second hinge distance K' is in the range from 0,05 to 0,3 times the seventh length D'.

[0031] In certain embodiments, the second hinge distance K' is in the range from 20 mm to 60 mm.

[0032] In certain embodiments, the first suspension arm 24 is rotatably connected to the adjusting arrangement 300 with a first adjusting hinge 304 in the vicinity of the second end of the first suspension arm 24 at a first hinge distance K from the rotation axis of the first suspension hinge 301.

[0033] In certain embodiments, the first hinge distance K is in the range from 0,05 to 0,3 times the fourth length D.

[0034] In certain embodiments, the first hinge distance K is in the range from 20 mm to 60 mm.

[0035] In should be noted, the first end of the first arm 6 is rotatably supported to the frame element 5 with a first support hinge 26 means that the first support hinge 26 is arranged in the vicinity of the first end 3001 of the first arm 6.

[0036] In should be noted, the first end of the second arm 7 is rotatably supported to the frame element 5 with a second support hinge 27, means that the second support hinge 27 is arranged in the vicinity of the first end 3000 of the second arm 7.

[0037] In some embodiments, the tubular product is made of any of the following material: plastic, copper, aluminium, cast iron, ductile iron, steel and stainless steel.

[0038] In some embodiments, the tubular product having a wall thickness up to 50 mm or up to 25 mm or up to 20 mm.

[0039] It should be noted that, the machining devices used for machining steel and stainless steel must have blades made of suitable material for machining steel and stainless steel, for instance blades comprising diamonds are used for machining steel and stainless steel.

[0040] In some embodiments, the tubular object is a pipe or a tube.

[0041] In some embodiments, the adjusting arrangement 300 comprises a pivot rod 20, the pivot rod 20 is pivotally connected to the frame element 5, a righthand thread is provided to the pivot rod 20, right-hand thread extending from the first end 201 of the pivot rod 20 or from the vicinity of the first end 201 of the pivot rod 20 towards the second end 202 of the pivot rod 20, the right-hand thread is provided with a first nut 21, a left-hand thread is provided to the pivot rod 20, the left-hand thread extending from the second end 202 of the pivot rod 20 or from the vicinity of the second end 202 of the pivot rod 20 towards the first end 201 of the pivot rod 20, provided with a second nut 22, the left-hand thread is provided with a second nut 21, the pivot rod 20 is provided with a knob 23, the knob is arranged to rotate the pivot rod 20, the first suspension arm 24 is pivotally connected to the first nut 21 with the first adjusting hinge 302, and the second suspension arm 25 is pivotally connected to the second nut 22 with the second adjusting hinge 304.

[0042] That enables easily move the clamping mechanism 2 between an expanded position and a shrunken position.

[0043] In some embodiment, the knob 23 is provided in the vicinity of the second end 202 of the pivot rod 20 or to the second end 202 of the pivot rod 20. in some embodiment, the first nut 21 and the second nut 22 are parts that having a female thread compatible the threads of the pivot rod 20.

[0044] It should be noted that the first nut 21 and the second nut 22 may have for instance a rectangular form.

[0045] In some embodiments, the clamping mechanism 2 is arranged to be rotated on the tubular object 1 only in one direction.

[0046] This enables turning the tubular object 1 into position wherein the machining may be continued so that motor unit 50 is in a desired position.

[0047] In some embodiments, comprises an unthreaded portion 200 between the right-hand thread and a left-hand thread.

[0048] That provides a distance between the first suspension arm wheel 501 and the second suspension arm wheel 502 in the shrunken position.

[0049] EXPERIMENTALS

[0050] The inventor tried to solve or at least alleviate problems of the prior art devices. The inventor tried to expand range of a diameter DI of tubular objects 1 which may be machined with the clamping mechanism 2. It should be noted that the clamping mechanism 2 must move smoothly around the tubular object 1 during machining even the tubular products are not exactly circular due to manufacturing tolerances. It should be also noted that any improvement in the range of diameters may provide that tubular object is cut instead of not to be cut. The system 100 must be also easy to handle. Furthermore, the clamping mechanism 2 must be also able to provide enough force to support the first support arm wheel 16 and the second arm wheel 15 on the outer surface of the tubular object to be machined. The clamping mechanism 2 comprises an adjusting arrangement arranged to move the clamping mechanism 2 between an expanded position and a shrunken position.

[0051] First the inventor tried to increase the distance difference between a rotation axis of the first suspension arm wheel 501 and a rotation axis of the second suspension arm wheel 502 between an expanded position and a shrunken position, and increase the dimensions A, A' and B ,B' shown in figure 2. The inventor found out that did not solve the problem as there was at least on of the following problems: the device became difficult to handle, it did not move smoothly on the tubular object due to the tolerances, and clamping mechanism did not provide enough force to support the first support arm wheel 16 and the second arm wheel 15 on the outer surface of the tubular object to be machined. Sometimes an outer surface of the tubular object reached the pivot rod 20 or a support of the pivot rod. That limits range of a diameter DI of tubular objects 1 which may be machined with the clamping mechanism 2.

[0052] The inventor continued to invent a clamping mechanism which would solve or at least alleviate problems of the prior art devices and tried various combinations of following dimensions until invented the following dimensions.

[0053] A distance between a rotation axis of the first suspension arm wheel 501 and a rotation axis of the second suspension arm wheel 502 is a first suspension length SL1.

[0054] A difference between the first suspension length SL1 in the expanded position and the first suspension length SL1 in the shrunken position is a first distance travel.

[0055] A distance between a rotation axis of the first support hinge 26 and a rotation axis of the second support hinge 27 is a first length A.

[0056] A distance between the rotation axis of the first support hinge 26 and the rotation axis of the first arm wheel 16 is a second length B.

[0057] A distance between the rotation axis of the first support hinge 26 and the rotation axis of the first suspension hinge 301 is a third length C.

[0058] The inventor surprisingly found out that the clamping mechanism 2 having the following dimensions provides a large range of diameters of tubular object 1 to be machined so that the clamping mechanism 2 moves smoothly around the tubular object 1 during machining, is easy to handle and provides sufficient force to support the first support arm wheel 16 and the second arm wheel 15 on the tubular object:

[0059] - the first suspension length SL1 in the shrunken position is in the range between 40 mm and 115 mm,

[0060] - the first distance travel divided by the first length A is in the range between 0,2 and 0,35 , and

[0061] - the second length B divided by the third length C is in the range between 3,8 and 5.

[0062] The inventor further found out the first suspension length SL1 in the shrunken position in the range between 90 mm and 115 mm provides device suitable for the tubular objects having diameter DI up to 460 mm and up to 360 mm.

[0063] In some embodiments, the clamping mechanism 2 is arranged to be rotatably supported onto the tubular object 1 having a diameter DI in the range between 68 mm and 360 mm.

[0064] In some embodiments, the clamping mechanism 2 is arranged to be rotatably supported onto the tubular object 1 having a diameter DI in the range between 20 mm and 220 mm.

[0065] In some embodiments, the clamping mechanism 2 is arranged to be rotatably supported onto the tubular object 1 having a diameter DI in the range between 34 mm and 280 mm. In the context of this application the above diameter DI means an outer diameter DI of the tubular object 1.

[0066] In some embodiments, the clamping mechanism 2 is arranged to be rotatably supported onto the tubular object 1 having a diameter DI in the range between a between 97 mm and 460 mm.

[0067] The inventor further found out the first suspension length SL1 in the shrunken position in the range between 90 mm and 95 mm provide a system which is extremely easy to handle when the tubular objects having a diameter DI from 68 mm to 360 mm.

[0068] The inventor continued to further work to invent a better clamping mechanism. The inventor combined wheels having various diameters with the clamping mechanism having the above dimensions. The inventor surprisingly found out that wheels in the range between 20 and 30 mm provided firm support and moved smoothly, and the wheels in the range between 22 and 28 mm provided even firmer support and still moved smoothly.

[0069] In some embodiments, a diameter of any one or any combination of the following: the first arm wheel 16, the second arm wheel 15, the first suspension arm wheel 501, and the second suspension arm wheel 502 being in the range between 20 and 30 mm or in the range between 22 mm and 28 mm.

[0070] In some embodiments, a diameter of the first arm wheel 16, the second arm wheel 15, the first suspension arm wheel 501, and the second suspension arm wheel 502 being in the range between 20 and 30 mm or in the range between 22 and 28 mm.

[0071] In some embodiments, at least one of first arm wheel 16, the second arm wheel 15, the first suspension arm wheel 501, and the second suspension arm wheel 502 is adapted to rotate in one direction only.

[0072] In some embodiments, the first arm wheel 16 comprises a first portion of the first arm wheel 16 and a second portion of the first arm wheel 16, and first portion of the first arm wheel 16 is provided at distance from the second portion of the first arm wheel 16, and the first portion of the first arm wheel 16 and second portion of the first arm wheel 16 are arranged to rotate around the rotation axis of the first arm wheel 16.

[0073] That improves support of the clamping mechanism 2 on the tubular object 1.

[0074] In some embodiments, the second arm wheel 15 comprises a first portion of second arm wheel 15 and a second portion of second arm wheel 15, and first portion of the first arm wheel 16 is provided at distance from the second portion of the second arm wheel 15, and the first portion of the second arm wheel 15 and second portion of the second arm wheel 15 are arranged to rotate around the rotation axis of the second arm wheel 15.

[0075] That improves support of the clamping mechanism 2 on the tubular object 1.

[0076] In some embodiments, the first suspension arm wheel 501 comprises a first portion of first suspension arm wheel 501 and a second portion of first suspension arm wheel 501, and first portion of the first suspension arm wheel 501 is provided at distance from the second portion of the first suspension arm wheel

[0077] 501, and the first portion of the first suspension arm wheel 501 and second portion of the first suspension arm wheel 501are arranged to rotate around the rotation axis of the first suspension arm wheel 501.

[0078] That improves support of the clamping mechanism 2 on the tubular object 1.

[0079] In some embodiments, the second suspension arm wheel 502 comprises a first portion of second suspension arm wheel 502and a second portion of second suspension arm wheel 502, and first portion of the second suspension arm wheel 502 is provided at distance from the second portion of the second suspension arm wheel 502, and the first portion of the second suspension arm wheel 502 and second portion of the second suspension arm wheel 502 are arranged to rotate around the rotation axis of the second suspension arm wheel

[0080] 502.

[0081] That improves support of the clamping mechanism 2 on the tubular object 1.

[0082] In some embodiments, the first length A is in the range between 280 mm and 505 mm, the second length B is in the range between 130 mm and 240 mm, and the third length C is in the range between 30 mm and 55 mm.

[0083] The inventor found out that this further improved range of diameters of tubular object 1 to be machined so that the device moves smoothly around the tubular object during machining, is easy to handle and provides sufficient force to support the first support arm wheel 16 and the second arm wheel 15 on the tubular object.

[0084] In some embodiments, the first length A is in the range between 460 mm and 505 mm, the second length B is in the range between 210 mm and 240 mm, and the third length C is in the range between 45 mm and 55 mm.

[0085] The inventor found out that this further improved range of diameters of tubular object to be machined so that the device moves smoothly around the tubular object during machining, is easy to handle and provides sufficient force to support the first support arm wheel 16 and the second arm wheel 15 on the tubular object when the diameter DI of the tubular object was up to 460 mm.

[0086] In some embodiments, the first length A is in the range between 460 mm and 480 mm, the second length B is in the range between 210 mm and 220 mm, and the third length C is in the range between 50 mm and 55 mm.

[0087] The inventor found out that this further improved range of diameters of tubular object to be machined so that the device moves smoothly around the tubular object during machining, is easy to handle and provides sufficient force to support the first support arm wheel 16 and the second arm wheel 15 on the tubular object, and the diameter DI of the tubular object was in the range of 68 mm - 360 mm.

[0088] A distance between the rotation axis of the first suspension arm wheel 501 and the rotation axis of the first suspension hinge 301 is the fourth length D.

[0089] In some embodiments, the fourth length D is in the range between 90 mm and 160 mm. The inventor found out that this further eases the first support arm wheel 16 and the second arm wheel 15 to provide a force on the tubular object.

[0090] In some embodiments, the fourth length D is in the range between 140 mm and 160 mm.

[0091] The inventor found out that this further eases the first support arm wheel 16 and the second arm wheel 15 to provide a force on the tubular object having a diameter DI up to 460 mm.

[0092] In some embodiments, the fourth length D is in the range between 145 mm and 150 mm.

[0093] The inventor found out that this further eases the first support arm wheel 16 and the second arm wheel 15 to provide a force on the tubular object having a diameter DI in the range of 68 mm - 360 mm.

[0094] In some embodiments, a distance between the rotation axis of the second support hinge 27 and the rotation axis of the second arm wheel 15 is a fifth length B', the fifth length B' is equal to the second length B, a distance between the rotation axis of the second support hinge 27 and the second suspension hinge 303 is a sixth length C', the sixth length is equal to the third length C, and a distance between the rotation axis of the second suspension arm wheel 502 and the rotation axis of the second suspension hinge 303 is a seventh length D', seventh length D' is equal to the fourth length D.

[0095] In other words, the first arm and the second arm of the clamping mechanism 2 are symmetrical, and the first suspension arm and the second suspension arm are symmetrical. This simplifies manufacturing of the clamping mechanism and improves the above properties of the clamping mechanism.

[0096] In some embodiments, the first distance travel divided by the first length A is in the range between 0,25 and 0,27.

[0097] This further improves the above properties of the clamping mechanism when the tubular having a diameter DI up to 460 mm.

[0098] In some embodiments, the first distance travel divided by the first length A is in the range between 0,26 and 0,27.

[0099] This further improves the above properties of the clamping mechanism when the tubular having a diameter DI in the range of 97 mm - 460 mm and in the range of 68 mm - 360 mm.

[0100] In some embodiments, the second length B divided by the third length C is in the range between 4 and 5.

[0101] This increases the force of the first support arm wheel 16 and the second arm wheel 15 on the tubular object for the tubular objects having a diameter DI up to 460 mm.

[0102] In some embodiments, the second length B divided by the third length C is in the range between 4 and 4,2.

[0103] This increases the force of the first support arm wheel 16 and the second arm wheel 15 on the tubular object for the tubular objects having a diameter DI in the range of 68 mm and 360 mm.

[0104] In some embodiments, the second length B divided by the third length C is in the range between 3,8 and 4. This increases the force of the first support arm wheel 16 and the second arm wheel 15 on the tubular object for the tubular objects having a diameter DI in the range of 20 mm and 220 mm.

[0105] Figure 3 shows schematically embodiments of the present invention. It should be noted that embodiments shown in figure 3 may combined to embodiments shown in figures 1 and 2.

[0106] In some embodiments, the clamping mechanism 2 comprises a first securing element 701 and the motor unit 50 comprises a second securing element 702, and the first securing element 701 of the clamping mechanism 2 is arranged to be releasably secured to the second securing element 702 of the motor unit 50, the system 1 comprises an additional clamping mechanism 2' comprising a third securing element, and the third securing element of the additional clamping mechanism 2' is arranged to be releasably secured to the second securing element 702 of the motor unit 50, the first suspension length SL1 of the clamping mechanism 2 is greater than a distance between a rotation axis of the first suspension arm wheel 501' and a rotation axis of the second suspension arm wheel 502' of the additional clamping mechanism 2'.

[0107] In some embodiments, the third securing element has same dimensions than the first securing element 701.

[0108] That enables using one motor unit for two or more separate clamping mechanisms 2,2' so that two or more separate clamping mechanisms 2,2' are arranged to be supported on tubular objects having different diameters.

[0109] It should be noted that the additional clamping mechanism 2' comprises same features than the clamping mechanism 2 except the dimensions are different. The additional clamping mechanism 2' is arranged to be rotatably supported onto the tubular object 1 to be machined, the additional clamping mechanism 2' comprises a frame element 5, a first arm 6 extending from the frame element 5, and a second arm 7 extending from the frame element 5, a first end of the first arm 6 is rotatably supported to the frame element 5 with a first support hinge 26, and the second end 3003 of the first arm 6 is provided with a first arm wheel 16, a first end of the second arm 7 is rotatably supported to the frame element 5 with a second support hinge 27, and the second end 3004 of the second arm 7 is provided with a second arm wheel 15, the additional clamping mechanism 2' comprises an adjusting arrangement 300, the adjusting arrangement 300 is connected to the frame element 5, the additional clamping mechanism 2' comprises a first suspension arm 24, a first end 3005 of the first suspension arm 24 is rotatably connected to the first arm 6 between the first end of the first arm 6 and the second end of the first arm 6 with a first suspension hinge 301, the second end 3007 of the first suspension arm 24 is provided with a first suspension arm wheel 501, the first suspension arm 24 is rotatably connected to the adjusting arrangement 300 with a first adjusting hinge 302 in the vicinity of the first suspension arm wheel 501, the additional clamping mechanism 2' comprises a second suspension arm 25, a first end of the second suspension arm 25 is rotatably connected to the second arm 7 between the first end of the second arm 7 and the second end of the second arm 7 with a second suspension hinge 303, the second end 3008 of the second suspension arm 25 is provided with a second suspension arm wheel 502, the second suspension arm 25 is rotatably connected to the adjusting arrangement 300 with a second adjusting hinge 304 in the vicinity of the second end of the second suspension arm 25, an adjusting arrangement 300 is arranged to move the additional clamping mechanism 2' between an expanded position and a shrunken position, the first arm wheel 16, the second arm wheel 15, the first suspension arm wheel 501 and the second suspension arm wheel 502 are arranged to be positioned onto the tubular object 1 to be machined, the distance between a rotation axis of the first suspension arm wheel 501 and a rotation axis of the second suspension arm wheel 502 is a first suspension length SL1, the first suspension length SL1 in the shrunken position is in the range between 40 mm and 115 mm, difference between the first suspension length SL1 in the expanded position and the first suspension length SL1 in the shrunken position is a first distance travel, the distance between a rotation axis of the first support hinge 26 and a rotation axis of the second support hinge 27 is a first length A, and the first distance travel divided by the first length A is in the range between 0,2 and 0,35, a distance between the rotation axis of the first support hinge 26 and the rotation axis of the first arm wheel 16 is a second length B, a distance between the rotation axis of the first support hinge 26 and first suspension hinge 301 is a third length C, and the second length B divided by the third length C is in the range between 3,8 and 5.

[0110] In some embodiments, the clamping mechanism 2 comprises a first securing element and the motor unit 50 comprises a second securing element, and the first securing element of the clamping mechanism 2 is arranged to be releasably secured to the second securing element of the motor unit 50, the system comprises an additional clamping mechanism 2' comprising a third securing element, and the third securing element of the additional clamping mechanism 2' is arranged to be releasably secured to the second securing element of the motor unit 50, the clamping mechanism 2 is arranged to be rotatably supported onto the tubular object 1 having a diameter DI in the range between 68 mm and 360 mm or a diameter DI in the range between 97 mm and 460 mm, and the additional clamping mechanism 2' is arranged to be rotatably supported onto the tubular object 1 having a diameter DI in the range between 20 mm and 220 mm or a diameter DI in the range between 34 mm and 280mm.

[0111] In some embodiments, the clamping mechanism 2 comprises a first securing element and the motor unit 50 comprises a second securing element, and the first securing element of the clamping mechanism 2 is arranged to be releasably secured to the second securing element of the motor unit 50, the system comprises an additional clamping mechanism 2' comprising a third securing element, and the third securing element of the additional clamping mechanism 2' is arranged to be releasably secured to the second securing element of the motor unit 50, the clamping mechanism 2 is arranged to be rotatably supported onto the tubular object 1 having a diameter DI in the range between 75 mm and 360 mm, and the additional clamping mechanism 2' is arranged to be rotatably supported onto the tubular object 1 having a diameter DI in the range between 97 mm and 460 mm. In some embodiments, the first securing element comprises a first surface 7011 and the second securing element comprises a second surface 7021, the first surface 7011 is arranged to be positioned on the second surface 7021, the third securing element comprises a third surface and the second securing element comprises a second surface 7021, the third surface is arranged to be positioned on the second surface 7021, and the system comprises one or more connecting parts 800 arranged to separately secure the clamping mechanism to the motor unit 50 and secure the additional clamping mechanism to the motor unit 50.

[0112] That provides effortless way to secure the motor unit 50 separately with the clamping mechanism 2 and with the additional clamping mechanism 2'. In other words, the clamping mechanism 2 and the additional clamping mechanism 2' are arranged to be separately secured with the motor unit 50.

[0113] In some embodiments, one or more connecting parts 800 comprise screws.

[0114] In some embodiments, the clamping mechanism 2 and the additional clamping mechanism 2' are arranged to be separately secured with the motor unit 50 with one or more screws.

[0115] In other words, the system comprises one or more connecting parts 800 which are screws.

[0116] In some embodiments, the first securing element is provided with one or more first connecting openings, the one or more first connecting openings are provided with a thread, ant the thread of the one or more first connecting openings are compatible to the more connecting parts 800.

[0117] In some embodiments, the third securing element is provided with one or more first connecting openings, the one or more first connecting openings are provided with a thread, ant the thread of the one or more third connecting openings are compatible to the more connecting parts 800.

[0118] It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that, as the technology advances, the inventive concept can be implemented in several ways. The subject matter in the above-described embodiments may be combined in any permutations or manner. The same applies to subject matter of all dependent claims which may be used in any combination to restrict the independent claims. The invention and its embodiments are not limited to the examples described above but may vary within the scope of the claims.

Claims

Claims1. A system (100) for machining a tubular object (1),- the system comprises a motor unit (50) comprising a machining blade (500),- the system comprises a clamping mechanism (2), the clamping mechanism (2) is arranged to be rotatably supported onto the tubular object (1) to be machined,- the clamping mechanism (2) comprises a frame element (5), a first arm (6) extending from the frame element (5), and a second arm (7) extending from the frame element (5),- a first end of the first arm (6) is rotatably supported to the frame element (5) with a first support hinge (26), and the second end of the first arm (6) is provided with a first arm wheel (16),- a first end of the second arm (7) is rotatably supported to the frame element (5) with a second support hinge (27), and the second end of the second arm (7) is provided with a second arm wheel (15),- the clamping mechanism (2) comprises an adjusting arrangement (300), the adjusting arrangement (300) is connected to the frame element (5),- the clamping mechanism (2) comprises a first suspension arm (24), a first end (3005) of the first suspension arm (24) is rotatably connected to the first arm (6) between the first end (3001) of the first arm (6) and the second end (3003) of the first arm (6) with a first suspension hinge (301),- the second end (3007) of the first suspension arm (24) is provided with a first suspension arm wheel (501), the first suspension arm (24) is rotatably connected to the adjusting arrangement (300) with a first adjusting hinge (302) in the vicinity of the first suspension arm wheel (501),- the clamping mechanism (2) comprises a second suspension arm (25), a first end (3006) of the second suspension arm (25) is rotatably connected to the second arm (7) between the first end (3000) of the second arm (7) and the second end (3004) of the second arm (7) with a second suspension hinge (303),- the second end (3008) of the second suspension arm (25) is provided with a second suspension arm wheel (502), the second suspension arm (25) is rotatably connected to the adjusting arrangement (300) with a second adjusting hinge (304) in the vicinity of the second end (3008) of the second suspension arm (25),- an adjusting arrangement (300) is arranged to move the clamping mechanism (2) between an expanded position and a shrunken position,- the first arm wheel (16), the second arm wheel (15), the first suspension arm wheel (501) and the second suspension arm wheel (502) are arranged to be positioned onto the tubular object (1) to be machined, characterized in that:- the distance between a rotation axis of the first suspension arm wheel (501) and a rotation axis of the second suspension arm wheel (502) is a first suspension length (SL1),- the first suspension length (SL1) in the shrunken position is in the range between 40 mm and 115 mm,- difference between the first suspension length (SL1) in the expanded position and the first suspension length (SL1) in the shrunken position is a first distance travel,- the distance between a rotation axis of the first support hinge (26) and a rotation axis of the second support hinge (27) is a first length (A), and the first distance travel divided by the first length (A) is in the range between 0,2 and 0,35,- a distance between the rotation axis of the first support hinge (26) and the rotation axis of the first arm wheel (16) is a second length (B), a distance between the rotation axis of the first support hinge (26) and first suspension hinge (301) is a third length (C), and the second length (B) divided by the third length (C) is in the range between 3,8 and 5.

2. A system (100) according to claim 1, wherein:- a diameter of any one or any combination of the following: the first arm wheel (16), the second arm wheel (15), the first suspension arm wheel (501), and the second suspension arm wheel (502) being in the range between 20 and 30 mm or in the range between 22 mm and 28 mm, or- a diameter of the first arm wheel (16), the second arm wheel (15), the first suspension arm wheel (501), and the second suspension arm wheel (502) being in the range between 20 and 30 mm or in the range between 22 and 28 mm.

3. A system (100) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein:- the clamping mechanism (2) is arranged to be rotatably supported onto the tubular object (1) having a diameter (DI) in the range between 68 mm and 360 mm; or- the clamping mechanism (2) is arranged to be rotatably supported onto the tubular object (1) having a diameter (DI) in the range between a between 97 mm and 460 mm.

4. A system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:- the first distance travel is in the range between 75 mm and 135 mm; or- the first distance travel is in the range between 120 mm and 135 mm; or- the first distance travel is in the range between 120 mm and 125mm.

5. A system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:- the first length (A) is in the range between 280 mm and 505 mm, the second length (B) is in the range between 130 mm and 240 mm, and the third length (C) is in the range between 30 mm and 55 mm; or- the first length (A) is in the range between 460 mm and 505 mm, the second length (B) is in the range between 210 mm and 240 mm, and the third length (C) is in the range between 45 mm and 55 mm; or- the first length (A) is in the range between 460 mm and 480 mm, the second length (B) is in the range between 210 mm and 220 mm, and the third length (C) is in the range between 50 mm and 55 mm.

6. A system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein a distance between the rotation axis of the first suspension arm wheel (501) and the rotation axis of the first suspension hinge (301) is the fourth length (D), and:- the fourth length (D) is in the range between 90 mm and 160 mm, or- the fourth length (D) is in the range between 140 mm and 160 mm, or- the fourth length (D) is in the range between 145 mm and 150 mm.

7. A system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:- a distance between the rotation axis of the second support hinge (27) and the rotation axis of the second arm wheel (15) is a fifth length (B7), the fifth length (B7) is equal to the second length (B),- a distance between the rotation axis of the second support hinge (27) and the second suspension hinge (303) is a sixth length (C7), the sixth length is equal to the third length (C), and- a distance between the rotation axis of the second suspension arm wheel (502) and the rotation axis of the second suspension hinge (303) is a seventh length (D7), seventh length (D7) is equal to the fourth length (D).

8. A system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:- the first distance travel divided by the first length (A) is in the range between 0,25 and 0,27; or- the first distance travel divided by the first length (A) is in the range between 0,26 and 0,27.

9. A system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:- the second length (B) divided by the third length (C) is in the range between 4 and 5; or- the second length (B) divided by the third length (C) is in the range between 4 and 4,2.

10. A system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein:-the adjusting arrangement (300) comprises a pivot rod (20), the pivot rod (20) is pivotally connected to the frame element (5),-a right-hand thread is provided to the pivot rod (20), right-hand thread extending from the first end (201) of the pivot rod (20) or from the vicinity of the first end (201) of the pivot rod (20) towards the second end (202) of the pivot rod (20), the right-hand thread is provided with a first nut (21),- a left-hand thread is provided to the pivot rod (20), the left-hand thread extending from the second end (202) of the pivot rod (20) or from the vicinity of the second end (202) of the pivot rod (20) towards the first end (201) of the pivot rod (20), provided with a second nut (22), the left-hand thread is provided with a second nut (21),-the pivot rod (20) is provided with a knob (23), the knob is arranged to rotate the pivot rod (20),- the first suspension arm (24) is pivotally connected to the first nut (21) with the first adjusting hinge (302), and-the second suspension arm (25) is pivotally connected to the second nut (22) with the second adjusting hinge (304).

11. A system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the clamping mechanism (2) is arranged to be rotated on the tubular object (1) only in one direction.

12. A system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein- the clamping mechanism (2) comprises a first securing element and the motor unit (50) comprises a second securing element, and the first securing element of the clamping mechanism (2) is arranged to be releasably secured to the second securing element of the motor unit (50),- the system comprises an additional clamping mechanism (29 comprising a third securing element, and the third securing element of the additional clamping mechanism (29 is arranged to be releasably secured to the second securing element of the motor unit (50),- the first suspension length (SL1) of the clamping mechanism (2) is greater than a distance between a rotation axis of the first suspension arm wheel (501') and a rotation axis of the second suspension arm wheel (502') of the additional clamping mechanism (29, and the clamping mechanism (2) and the additional clamping mechanism (29 are arranged to be separately secured with the motor unit (50).

13. A system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein- the clamping mechanism (2) comprises a first securing element and the motor unit (50) comprises a second securing element, and the first securing element of the clamping mechanism (2) is arranged to be releasably secured to the second securing element of the motor unit (50),- the system comprises an additional clamping mechanism (29 comprising a third securing element, and the third securing element of the additional clamping mechanism (29 is arranged to be releasably secured to the second securing element of the motor unit (50), the clamping mechanism (2) and the additional clamping mechanism (29 are arranged to be separately secured with the motor unit (50),- the clamping mechanism (2) is arranged to be rotatably supported onto the tubular object (1) having a diameter (DI) in the range between 68 mm and 360 mm or a diameter DI in the range between 97 mm and 460 mm, and- the additional clamping mechanism (2') is arranged to be rotatably supported onto the tubular object (1) having a diameter (DI) in the range between 20 mm and 220 mm or a diameter DI in the range between 34 mm and 280mm.

14. A system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein- the clamping mechanism (2) comprises a first securing element and the motor unit (50) comprises a second securing element, and the first securing element of theclamping mechanism (2) is arranged to be releasably secured to the second securing element of the motor unit (50),- the system comprises an additional clamping mechanism (29 comprising a third securing element, and the third securing element of the additional clamping mechanism (29 is arranged to be releasably secured to the second securing element of the motor unit (50),- the clamping mechanism (2) is arranged to be rotatably supported onto the tubular object (1) having a diameter (DI) in the range between 75 mm and 360 mm, and- the additional clamping mechanism (2') is arranged to be rotatably supported onto the tubular object (1) having a diameter (DI) in the range between 97 mm and 460 mm.

15. A system (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein- the first securing element comprises a first surface (7011) and the second securing element comprises a second surface (7021), the first surface (7011) is arranged to be positioned on the second surface (7021),- the third securing element comprises a third surface and the second securing element comprises a second surface (7021), the third surface is arranged to be positioned on the second surface (7021),- the clamping mechanism (2) and the additional clamping mechanism (2') are arranged to be separately secured with the motor unit (50), and- the system comprises one or more connecting parts arranged to separately secure the clamping mechanism to the motor unit (50) and secure the additional clamping mechanism to the motor unit (50).

Images