Composite Pipe Fabrication Device With Multi-Point Clamping
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing composite pipe fabrication technologies are inefficient and require significant space, limiting the ability to streamline the process and apply higher rotational speeds, which hampers the production rate and durability of the equipment.
Innovation Solution
A device with a main body featuring a horizontal rotation axis and multiple clamping and rotating units, including permanent and movable grips, allows for efficient clamping and rotation of the pipe mould, reducing radial runout and enabling higher rotational speeds while maintaining a compact design.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a single clamping mechanism is used to rotate the pipe mould, then the device structure is simple, but the manufacturing precision and stability deteriorate due to radial runout
Solution Approach 1:
The single clamping mechanism is segmented into multiple independent clamping units (at least two) distributed around the pipe mould. Each unit has its own drive shaft and clamping grip, allowing independent adjustment and rotation. This segmentation enables precise control of each clamping point, reducing overall radial runout while maintaining structural manageability.
Solution Approach 2:
Multiple clamping units are merged onto a single carrier pipe structure that rotates together as one assembly. The permanent grip and movable grip are combined on the same rotation axis, working in coordination to clamp and rotate the pipe mould. This merging provides structural stability and uniform force distribution, improving manufacturing precision without excessive complexity.
2Productivity
If higher rotational speeds are applied to accelerate fabrication, then the productivity increases, but the equipment durability deteriorates due to increased wear and stress
Solution Approach 1:
The clamping mechanism incorporates a movable grip with an actuator that allows dynamic adjustment of clamping force during operation. The supporting shaft can slide within the second movable body, enabling real-time adaptation to varying operational conditions. This dynamic capability allows the system to maintain optimal clamping force at higher rotational speeds, reducing stress concentration and extending equipment lifespan while preserving productivity gains.
3Ease of manufacture
If traditional pipe fabrication processes are used, then the process is straightforward, but the space requirements and fabrication time increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe mould rotation is implemented as a periodic cyclic motion, allowing continuous wrapping operations without interruption. The mould rotates forward for wrapping, then reverses for positioning, creating an efficient periodic cycle. This periodic action eliminates idle time between operations, significantly reducing total fabrication time while maintaining process simplicity through automated cyclic operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from linear sequential fabrication to three-dimensional simultaneous operation by rotating the pipe mould around a horizontal axis. Multiple clamping units operate at different angular positions around the mould simultaneously, enabling parallel processing of different pipe sections. This dimensional change reduces fabrication time without complicating the basic wrapping process.
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
AI summary
The device contains a main body in the form of a horizontal carrier pipe (1), which is mounted rotationally in the first (4) and the second (5) bracket fixed to the ground, and at least two mechanisms (14-15) that clamp the pipe mould (12) to the carrier pipe (1) and rotate the pipe mould (12). Each clamping and rotating mechanism (14, 15) contains a permanent grip (14) for clamping the first end of the pipe mould (12), a movable grip (15) for clamping the second end of the pipe mould (12), and a rotational mechanism of said mould (12). The rotation axes (13) of each clamping and rotating unit (14-15) are substantially parallel to the rotation axis (6) of the carrier pipe (1) and are distributed regularly around said axis (6). The permanent grips (14) are fixed to the carrier pipe (1) by means of the first movable body (10). The permanent grips (15) are fixed to the carrier pipe (1) by means of the first movable body (11). Each permanent grip (14) contains a through drive shaft (16), which is mounted rotationally (17-18) in the first movable body (10) and fitted with a rotational mechanism (19-20) of the pipe mould (12). Each movable grip (15) contains a supporting shaft (21), which is mounted rotationally (25) and slidingly (24) in the second movable body (11) and fitted with an actuator (23). The rotation axis of the supporting shaft (21) and the sliding motion axis of the supporting shaft (21) of one clamping and rotating unit (14-15) coincide with the rotation axis (13) of said clamping and rotating unit.