Multi-Cam Pipe Grooving for Precise Groove Radius and Flare Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing roll grooving machines face challenges in accurately producing circumferential grooves in pipe elements with precise tolerances, often resulting in flare and requiring complex designs and significant torque, which complicates the manufacturing of mechanical couplings and seals, and involves high operator involvement and low production rates.
Innovation Solution
A device utilizing a plurality of cams with specific cam surfaces and a gear reduction assembly to form circumferential grooves in pipe elements, minimizing torque and operator intervention by using a controlled flare surface to manage pipe expansion and a die to enhance groove precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If roll grooving machines are used to form circumferential grooves, then grooves can be formed in pipe elements, but the groove radius cannot be produced within desired tolerance range and flare occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the adjustment mechanism from the operator's control and embeds it into the cam design itself. The cam profiles are pre-configured with precise geometric relationships that automatically ensure correct groove radius and minimize flare, eliminating the need for operator adjustment while achieving desired tolerance range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the cam surfaces to achieve precise groove formation. By carefully designing the cam profile parameters (radii, angles, positions), the system automatically produces grooves within desired tolerance range and controls flare without requiring operator intervention.
2Productivity
If prior art roll grooving machines are used, then grooves can be formed, but significant torque is applied and production rate is low
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the grooving action into multiple cam surfaces working in sequence or simultaneously. This distribution of the forming action reduces the torque required at any single point while maintaining effective groove formation, thereby increasing production rate without excessive force application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic cam rotation to progressively form the groove. The cam surfaces engage and disengage in a periodic manner, allowing the pipe to rotate through multiple positions while the groove is formed incrementally, reducing peak torque requirements and enabling faster production.
3Ease of manufacture
If prior art devices are used to form grooves, then grooves can be formed, but the design is complicated requiring actuators and operator adjustment
Solution Approach 1:
The cam mechanism is designed to be self-regulating, where the geometric constraints of the cam profiles automatically ensure precise groove radius formation. The system serves itself by using the inherent geometry of the cams to maintain precision without requiring external actuators or operator adjustment, simplifying the overall device design.
4Manufacturing precision
If grooving near the end of pipe element, then groove can be formed, but end region expands in diameter causing flare
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by designing specific cam surfaces with different functions: some cam surfaces are designed to form the groove while others are designed specifically to control flare at the pipe end. This localized functional differentiation allows precise control of flare without requiring complex overall device design.
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 device achieves accurate and efficient formation of circumferential grooves with minimal torque application, reducing operator involvement and increasing production rates while maintaining precise control over groove dimensions and reducing flare, thus simplifying the design and manufacture of mechanical couplings and seals.
Implementation Method 1
a gear reduction assembly to form circumferential grooves in pipe elements
Implementation Method 2
Each cam has a cam surface with a region of increasing radius and a region of constant radius
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 1A
Figure 2
AI summary
A plurality of cams for cold working a pipe element, said cams being rotated circumferentially about said pipe element, each said cam comprising: a cam body having an axis of rotation; a first cam surface extending around said cam body, said first cam surface comprising a first region of increasing radius and a first discontinuity of said first cam surface; a second cam surface extending around said cam body and positioned in spaced relation along said axis of rotation to said first cam surface.