Mandrel-Integrated Plasma Shielding for ERW Steel Pipe Welding

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Solution Overview

Problem

In electric resistance welded steel pipe manufacturing, the plasma flow supply device often interferes with peripheral devices, cannot be installed at an ideal angle or distance, and is affected by air flow, leading to inadequate shielding and increased oxide defects in the welded part.

Innovation Solution

The plasma flow feeder is integrated within a mandrel inside the steel pipe, allowing for ideal angle and distance supply of plasma flow to the abutment end surfaces, with optional features like a plasma flow interrupting plate and adjusting mechanism to ensure reliable shielding.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the plasma flow supply device is installed outside the steel sheet, then the device structure is simple, but the plasma flow cannot be supplied at an ideal angle or distance and interference with peripheral devices occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice structureVSAvoidwelding quality
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The plasma flow supply device is nested inside the mandrel, which is positioned within the steel sheet during welding. This internal placement allows the plasma flow to be supplied from the inside of the steel pipe at an ideal angle and distance to the abutment end surfaces, eliminating interference with peripheral devices while maintaining simple device structure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of manufacture

If the plasma flow supply device is installed outside the steel sheet, then the installation is easier, but the shielding effect is inadequate and oxygen entrainment increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveinstallation easeVSAvoidshielding effect
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of supplying plasma flow from the outside of the steel sheet as in conventional methods, the invention inverts the approach by supplying plasma flow from the inside of the steel pipe through the mandrel. This internal supply method provides superior shielding effect and reduces oxygen entrainment while maintaining ease of installation.

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

3Device complexity

If plasma flow is supplied from outside the steel sheet, then the device configuration is simpler, but the plasma flow is affected by wind and airflow causing inadequate shielding

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvedevice configurationVSAvoidairflow interference
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The invention creates a protected environment by supplying plasma flow from the inside of the steel pipe, where the plasma acts as a shielding gas that excludes ambient air. This internal supply method protects the plasma flow from wind and airflow interference that would occur with external supply, while the device configuration remains relatively simple.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

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

This configuration improves welding quality by maintaining a laminar plasma flow and reducing oxygen entrainment, suppressing oxide defects and enhancing the reliability of the electric resistance welded steel pipe.

Implementation Method 1

a plasma flow feeder (4a) that is provided in the mandrel (2) to supply the plasma flow

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPlasma shielding: Plasma

Implementation Method 2

a reduction action caused by the ionized plasma gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectIonization: Ionisation

Implementation Method 3

the abutment end portions are maintained in a state where oxygen concentration is low due to a shielding action of the abutment end portions caused by an ionized plasma gas, a reduction action caused by the ionized plasma gas

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectOxygen removal through plasma reduction: Reduction

Implementation Method 4

melting abutment end surfaces of the steel sheet by induction heating using a work coil

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction heating: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 5

forming a welding seam between the abutment end surfaces while pressing the steel sheet with squeeze rolls

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectPressure welding: Mechanical Force

Data Source

PatentEP3744466B1Electric resistance welded steel pipe manufacturing device and electric resistance welded steel pipe manufacturing method
Publication Date: 2023.11.22 NIPPON STEEL CORPORATION
  • EP3744466B1 patent drawingFigure 1(A)~1(B)
  • EP3744466B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3744466B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

What is provided is an electric resistance welded steel pipe manufacturing device that is configured to perform welding while forming a strip-shaped steel sheet in a tubular shape and supplying a plasma flow to a pair of abutment end surfaces to perform shielding. The electric resistance welded steel pipe manufacturing device includes a mandrel; and a plasma flow feeder that is provided in the mandrel to supply the plasma flow.