Hydraulic Power Transfer for Rotary Pipe Cutting Tool Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing pipe cutting and beveling devices lack the ability to freely control the motion of cutting tools within a rotary body, leading to inefficiencies, tool breakage, and limitations in cutting and beveling various pipe thicknesses and shapes, with issues in cutting depth control and beveling angle adjustments.

Innovation Solution

A power transfer device that uses a double-action interlocking cylinder and hydraulic closed circuit to enable precise control of cutting tools within a rotary body, allowing for independent movement in multiple axes and simultaneous cutting and beveling of pipes with varying thicknesses, using a bearing system for power transfer and a hydraulic system for precise control.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a gear and engaging claw mechanism is used to control cutting tool motion, then the cutting tool can move with each rotation of the rotary body, but the motion cannot be arbitrarily controlled and the cutting conditions cannot be changed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecontrol of cutting tool motionVSAvoidadjustability of cutting conditions
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical gear and engaging claw mechanism with a hydraulic control system. A hydraulic cylinder is used to drive the cutting tool, allowing independent control of the cutting tool's motion from the rotary body's rotation. This substitution enables arbitrary control of cutting depth, speed, and position, providing adaptability for different cutting conditions while maintaining ease of operation through hydraulic actuation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Ease of operation

If the cutting tool is mounted to blocks guided along the rotary body, then the tool can reciprocate toward and away from the pipe center, but the tool motion is coupled to rotary body rotation and cannot be independently controlled

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereciprocating motion of cutting toolVSAvoidindependent control capability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the control system into two independent parts: the rotary body rotation and the cutting tool reciprocating motion. The cutting tool is mounted on a block that can reciprocate independently of the rotary body's rotation, driven by a hydraulic cylinder. This segmentation allows the cutting tool motion to be controlled separately from the rotary body, enabling independent adjustment of cutting parameters and automated control without being coupled to rotation cycles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of repair

If the rotary body is reversely rotated to return cutting tools to original positions, then the tools can be reset, but the process is cumbersome and onerous

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereturn of cutting tools to original positionVSAvoidoperation complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of repairVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of using reverse rotation of the rotary body to return the cutting tool to its original position, the patent inverts the approach by using the hydraulic cylinder to directly drive the cutting tool backward to its starting position. This inversion of the return mechanism eliminates the need for reverse rotation, simplifying the operation and reducing complexity while maintaining the ability to reset the cutting tool efficiently.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

4Extent of automation

If the cutting tool continuously moves toward the workpiece with gear rotation, then the gear mechanism operates automatically, but tool breakage or workpiece burning occurs when the tool is dull or broken

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveautomatic operation of cutting mechanismVSAvoiddetection of tool condition
Core Design Contradiction:
Extent of automationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms to monitor the cutting tool's condition and the cutting process. Sensors detect parameters such as cutting force, vibration, or power consumption, and this information is fed back to the control system. When the tool becomes dull or broken, the feedback signal triggers an alarm or automatically stops the hydraulic drive, preventing continuous operation that would lead to tool breakage or workpiece burning. This maintains automatic operation while improving reliability through real-time monitoring.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The solution allows for flexible control of cutting tools, enhancing durability and efficiency by enabling precise cutting and beveling of pipes of different thicknesses and shapes, reducing tool wear and the need for frequent tool replacements, and improving machining accuracy and versatility.

Implementation Method 1

a bearing disposed between the pusher of the push unit and the rod of the interlocking cylinder and configured to allow relative rotation of the pusher and the rod and to transfer power between the pusher and the rod

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectFriction: Friction

Implementation Method 2

A power transfer device that uses a double-action interlocking cylinder and hydraulic closed circuit to enable precise control of cutting tools within a rotary body

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHydraulic pressure: Hydraulic Press

Data Source

PatentEP2974815B1Power transmitting device for transmitting external force into rotating body, and orbital pipe cutting device and hydraulic chucking device able to freely control cutting tool movement inside rotating body by using the power transmitting device
Publication Date: 2022.06.01 DCSENG CO LTD
  • EP2974815B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2974815B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2974815B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4(b)

AI summary

Disclosed are a power transfer device for transferring external power to a rotary body, a pipe cutting device using the power transfer device and a hydraulic chucking device using the power transfer device. The power transfer device is configured to transfer external power to a rotary body coupled to one side of a main body. The power transfer device includes at least one double-action interlocking cylinder mounted to a rear surface of the rotary body and provided with a rod protruding toward the main body, a push unit installed in the main body and provided with at least one pusher protruding toward the rotary body, and a bearing disposed between the pusher of the push unit and the rod of the interlocking cylinder and configured to allow relative rotation of the pusher and the rod and to transfer power between the pusher and the rod.