Seamless Steel Pipe Transfer Cooling for Compact Inspection Layout
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Solution Overview
Problem
Directly connecting heat treatment and finishing treatment facilities for seamless steel pipes increases facility layout size, and existing solutions either lengthen the transfer path, risking probe damage or shorten it, leading to bending issues in pipes.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a forced steel pipe-temperature reduction apparatus between the heat treatment and inspection stages to rapidly cool the pipes, minimizing layout expansion while preventing pipe bending, particularly for heavy-wall pipes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the heat treatment apparatus and finishing treatment line facility are directly connected via transfer mechanisms, then the production period (lead time) is shortened and traceability management is simplified, but the facility layout size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes three-dimensional spatial arrangement to optimize the facility layout. The heat treatment apparatus and finishing treatment line are connected through vertical and horizontal transfer paths, utilizing space in multiple dimensions rather than extending only horizontally. This allows direct connection for continuous production while minimizing the footprint of the facility layout.
2Manufacturing precision
If the transfer path is lengthened to accommodate heavy-wall pipes, then pipe bending is prevented, but the facility layout size increases and probe damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
The transfer mechanism utilizes vertical space and three-dimensional routing to create an optimized transfer path. This allows the path to be sufficiently long to prevent pipe bending while minimizing the horizontal facility footprint by utilizing vertical elevation changes and compact spatial arrangement.
Solution Approach 2:
The transfer mechanism incorporates adjustable and dynamic elements that can adapt to different pipe types and temperatures. This allows the transfer path geometry to be optimized for each specific case, providing sufficient path length when needed while maintaining compact layout for other scenarios.
3Area of stationary object
If the transfer path is shortened to reduce facility layout size, then the facility becomes more compact, but pipe bending occurs and probe damage risk increases
Solution Approach 1:
By utilizing vertical space and three-dimensional transfer paths, the system achieves sufficient transfer path length within a compact horizontal footprint. This prevents pipe bending while maintaining a small facility layout through intelligent spatial utilization.
4Manufacturing precision
If the facility layout is expanded to lengthen the transfer path, then pipe bending is prevented, but the distance between heat treatment and inspection apparatus increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system uses vertical elevation changes and three-dimensional spatial arrangement to achieve sufficient transfer path length without expanding the horizontal facility layout. This prevents pipe bending while keeping the overall distance between apparatuses compact.
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 allows for compact facility layout, reduces pipe inspection apparatus malfunctions, and minimizes bending in seamless steel pipes, especially for heavy-wall pipes, while maintaining efficient temperature reduction.
Implementation Method 1
a first forced steel pipe-temperature reduction apparatus 20A disposed on the main transfer path MT at a position downstream of the heat treatment apparatus 10 and upstream of the steel pipe inspection apparatus 30
Data Source
AI summary
A seamless steel pipe heat-treatment-finishing-treatment continuous facility includes: a heat treatment apparatus; a steel pipe inspection apparatus which performs a test for a surface defect and/or an inner defect of the seamless steel pipe, the steel pipe inspection apparatus being disposed downstream of the heat treatment apparatus; a main transfer mechanism which forms a main transfer path MT for transferring the seamless steel pipe, discharged from the heat treatment apparatus, to the steel pipe inspection apparatus disposed downstream of the heat treatment apparatus; and a first forced steel pipe-temperature reduction apparatus which forcibly reduces a temperature of the seamless steel pipe on the main transfer path MT, the first forced steel pipe-temperature reduction apparatus being disposed on the main transfer path MT at a position downstream of the heat treatment apparatus and upstream of the steel pipe inspection apparatus.