Steam Generator Pipe Elevation for Consistent Inner Rib Welding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for producing internally ribbed steam generator pipes with higher chromium alloyed steels fail to ensure consistent quality due to uncertainties in the electrical contact between the installation body and the pipe inner wall during resistance spot welding, leading to variable welding results.
Innovation Solution
A small elevation is created on the inner wall of the steam generator pipe to provide a precise contact surface for the installation body, ensuring consistent and reproducible welding quality, which is achieved by cold drawing or embossing the elevation, allowing for higher chromium content steels to be used.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If resistance spot welding is used to fix the installation body on the pipe inner wall, then the installation body can be secured in position, but the welding quality scatters widely due to uncertain electrical contact between the installation body and pipe inner wall
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by creating an elevation on the pipe inner wall before the welding process. This elevation is formed during the pipe manufacturing process, ensuring that when the installation body is positioned, there is already a predefined contact surface ready to ensure reliable electrical contact with the welding electrode, thus improving welding quality consistency
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by creating a localized elevation at the specific welding position on the pipe inner wall. This elevation concentrates the contact area precisely where needed, ensuring that the electrical contact occurs at a defined location rather than relying on uncertain surface contact across the entire installation body interface
2Adaptability or versatility
If internally ribbed pipes are produced using cold drawing process, then the pipes can handle high heat flow density and avoid film boiling, but the pipes can only be produced with materials having maximum chromium content of 5%
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies the taking out principle by separating the rib structure from the pipe manufacturing process. Instead of forming ribs through cold drawing of the pipe itself, the installation body (containing the rib structure) is produced separately and then fixed to the pipe using resistance spot welding. This extraction allows the pipe to be manufactured from higher chromium alloys without the manufacturing constraints of cold drawing
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies segmentation by dividing the internally ribbed pipe structure into two separate components: the smooth pipe and the installation body containing the ribs. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized independently - the pipe can use higher chromium content materials while the installation body provides the necessary rib structure for high heat flow density applications
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 method ensures reliable and high-quality welding of the installation body on the steam generator pipe, even with higher chromium content steels, by providing a defined contact point for the welding electrode, thus enabling the production of internally ribbed pipes with improved consistency and cost-effectiveness.
Implementation Method 1
the installation body is welded on the elevation in the steam generator pipe
Implementation Method 2
it is not ensured that an electrically conductive contact surface between the installation body and the pipe inner side is produced precisely and only at the welding electrode
Data Source
AI summary
A steam generator pipe for producing a steam generator pipe with a spiral-shaped installation body, wherein an elevation extends on the inner side of the steam generation pipe in the axial direction of the steam generator pipe. A method for producing a steam generator pipe having an installation body.