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EP0243943A1 - Automatic tool for the screwing and unscrewing of a screw of a flange between two pipes - Google Patents

Automatic tool for the screwing and unscrewing of a screw of a flange between two pipes Download PDF

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Publication number
EP0243943A1
EP0243943A1 EP87106176A EP87106176A EP0243943A1 EP 0243943 A1 EP0243943 A1 EP 0243943A1 EP 87106176 A EP87106176 A EP 87106176A EP 87106176 A EP87106176 A EP 87106176A EP 0243943 A1 EP0243943 A1 EP 0243943A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
pipes
axis
tool
rail
nut
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP87106176A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP0243943B1 (en
Inventor
Leo Van Loon
Rémy Pilliard
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
European Atomic Energy Community Euratom
Original Assignee
European Atomic Energy Community Euratom
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by European Atomic Energy Community Euratom filed Critical European Atomic Energy Community Euratom
Publication of EP0243943A1 publication Critical patent/EP0243943A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0243943B1 publication Critical patent/EP0243943B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25BTOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
    • B25B27/00Hand tools, specially adapted for fitting together or separating parts or objects whether or not involving some deformation, not otherwise provided for
    • B25B27/14Hand tools, specially adapted for fitting together or separating parts or objects whether or not involving some deformation, not otherwise provided for for assembling objects other than by press fit or detaching same
    • B25B27/16Hand tools, specially adapted for fitting together or separating parts or objects whether or not involving some deformation, not otherwise provided for for assembling objects other than by press fit or detaching same abutted flanges
    • BPERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B25HAND TOOLS; PORTABLE POWER-DRIVEN TOOLS; MANIPULATORS
    • B25BTOOLS OR BENCH DEVICES NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR, FOR FASTENING, CONNECTING, DISENGAGING OR HOLDING
    • B25B21/00Portable power-driven screw or nut setting or loosening tools; Attachments for drilling apparatus serving the same purpose
    • B25B21/002Portable power-driven screw or nut setting or loosening tools; Attachments for drilling apparatus serving the same purpose for special purposes
    • GPHYSICS
    • G21NUCLEAR PHYSICS; NUCLEAR ENGINEERING
    • G21FPROTECTION AGAINST X-RADIATION, GAMMA RADIATION, CORPUSCULAR RADIATION OR PARTICLE BOMBARDMENT; TREATING RADIOACTIVELY CONTAMINATED MATERIAL; DECONTAMINATION ARRANGEMENTS THEREFOR
    • G21F7/00Shielded cells or rooms
    • G21F7/06Structural combination with remotely-controlled apparatus, e.g. with manipulators
    • G21F7/066Remotely manipulated tools

Definitions

  • the invention relates to an automatic tool for tightening and loosening a screw or nut belonging to a flanged connection between two pipes, comprising a wrench which can be placed on the head of the screw or nut and which is rotated by a motor.
  • connection between two flanges requires the tightening of a certain number of bolts, which are distributed regularly around the axis of the pipes and pass through two flanges which constitute the ends of these pipes.
  • tightening of the connection flange bolts can no longer be done manually, but on the contrary requires the use of an automatic tool.
  • such tools required the continuous assistance of a remote manipulator, which brings the tool closer to the flange, guides the tool key to the nut to be tightened, monitors the tightening operation, then releases the nut wrench to be able to engage it on the next nut of the same flange connection and so on.
  • the invention aims to provide an automatic tool as defined above, which no longer requires assistance by the manipulator once it is placed on a pipe, and which can be used even when the pipes are hardly accessible.
  • the automatic tightening and loosening tool which is characterized according to the invention by the fact - that the motor is mounted on a support structure having a semi-annual shape, adapted to the diameter of the pipes, - that a circular rail is fixed around one of the pipes at a predetermined distance from the flanges, - that two wheels capable of being guided by said rail are mounted, movably in the direction of the axis of the pipes, on a chassis, which is articulated on said structure, - A third wheel capable of being guided by said rail is mounted, movably in the direction of the axis of the pipes, on said structure, the three wheels being applied against said rail at regular angles when the chassis is located in an operative position, while one of the wheels emerges from the rail when the chassis is retracted around its axis of articulation, - that pneumatic means are provided to move in translation of said support structure relative to the wheels, parallel to the axis of the pipes, - a lever of semi-annual form is articulated on said
  • the tool shown in the four figures is used to tighten nuts 1, which pass through two flanges 1 and 3, these flanges constituting the ends of two pipes 4 and 5, whose axes 6 are aligned.
  • the tool is specially designed for the diameter of the pipes 4 and 5 and the diameter on which the axes 7 of the connection bolts 26 are located, which are integral with the lower flange.
  • the only adaptation to this tool is constituted by a guide rail 8, which is fixed on the external surface of one of the pipes and which cooperates with three guide wheels 9 to 11, which is provided with the tool.
  • the tool In fig. 1, the tool is shown in the retracted position relative to the flanges 2 and 3, but fixed in a self-supporting manner to the pipe 4 through the rail 8 and the wheels 9 to 11.
  • two namely the wheels 9 and 10 are carried by a common frame 24, which is mounted through a hinge pin 12 on a support structure 13 of a generally semiannular shape.
  • the third wheel 11 is supported by the support structure 13 and it can be driven by a motor 14, so that the semi-annual support structure can rotate around the axis 6.
  • axes of the three wheels 9, 10, 11 act as a pneumatic slide for the support structure 13 so that the latter can be lowered or mounted in the direction of the axis 6 of the pipes, when applying pressurized air to cylinders 15 and 20, in which pistons such as 16 slide integral with the axis of the corresponding wheel.
  • Fig. 1 shows the upper position of this support structure, position in which the nuts 1 are not reached by the tool.
  • the key 17 proper is visible in FIG. 4. It consists of a tube of hexagonal internal section adapted to the shape of the nut 1.
  • a rod 25 for storing nuts extends along an axis 18. It receives loose nuts or it provides nuts which must be tightened on a bolt 26. The nuts are retained on this rod by means of balls such as 27, which project slightly and elastically from radial housings in this rod and which are supported on springs.
  • a pneumatic motor reversible 19 is coupled to this key to rotate it in the tightening or loosening direction.
  • the tool comprises a lever 21, which is articulated around the axis 18. By its free end, the lever 21 is coupled to a piston 22, which bears against the support structure 13. This lever encloses the key and it is coupled to the latter by a reversible ratchet and ratchet system 23. In FIG. 3, we only see the ratchets in one direction of rotation, the other ratchets being hidden behind the lever.
  • a remote manipulator is used to engage the tool on the pipe concerned. It suffices to present the open face of the semiannular structure for supporting the pipe, the chassis 24 being retracted so that the wheel 10 does not hinder the passage of the pipe 4.
  • the wheel 9 on the other hand is now in the cylindrical space that must later occupy the pipe. If the manipulator brings the tool closer to this pipe, the latter finally pushes the wheel 9 backwards and the articulation of the chassis 24 around the axis 12 causes the wheel 10 to return to the position shown in FIG. 2, where the three wheels 9, 10 and 11 are approximately equidistant and are applied against the rail 8 of the pipe 4.
  • the tool is kept in this position by means of two pneumatic pistons, which apply external forces, and the remote manipulator is released so that other tools can be placed on other pipes while the tool referred to here is working.
  • programmed control means not shown For loosening the nuts 1 of a flanged connection, programmed control means not shown first start the motor 14, which drives the wheel 11 and rotates the tool around the pipe 4. Microcontacts not shown detect the position of the nut 1 and stop the engine 14, as soon as the axis 7 of a nut coincides with the axis 18 of the key. The support structure 13 is then in position to be lowered on the flange 2.
  • the programmed command restarts the cycle by turning the tool in order to align the key 17 with another nut and so on.
  • the manipulator is called again to release the tool from the pipe and to apply it if necessary on another pipe.
  • the tool's function is similar. Only the direction of rotation of the motor 19 is reversed and the pawls 23 are positioned accordingly. Beforehand, the storage rod 25 is loaded with nuts, which then unload automatically by providing a nut for each screwing. The torque being low at the start, the motor 19 continues to rotate after the engagement of the nut 1 and it is stopped only towards the end of tightening where the torque becomes significant. The final tightening is obtained by the back and forth of the lever 21, the tightening force being able to be adjusted to a desired value by limiting the air pressure supplying the piston 22.
  • the tool according to the invention makes it possible, by adequate programming of the control means, to successively process nuts which are not adjacent to the crown of the flange. This is often desired to make the tightening more uniform around the edge of the flange. It is also possible to go through several tightening cycles by increasing the final tightening torque from one cycle to another. The remote manipulator does not intervene until the end of the last cycle.
  • the forces used in the various pneumatic motors or pistons are low and that the final tightening torque is produced through a relatively long arm.
  • the size of the tool according to the invention is very small, allowing it to be used in the event that its workplace is surrounded by a bundle of other pipes, provided only that there is somewhere to put the semiannular structure on the pipe in question.
  • the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • High Energy & Nuclear Physics (AREA)
  • Details Of Spanners, Wrenches, And Screw Drivers And Accessories (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention se réfère à un outil automatique de serrage et de desserrage d'un écrou (1) appartenant à une connexion à brides (2, 3) entre deux tuyaux (4, 5), l'outil comprenant une clé, qui peut être placée sur la tête de l'écrou et qui est entraînée en rotation par un moteur. L'outil est guidé sur un rail (8) solidaire de l'un des tuyaux et comporte des moyens électriques ou pneumatiques (14, 15, 19, 20, 22) permettant de baisser l'outil sur la couronne d'une bride (2), de s'accoupler à un écrou (1), de vaincre la force de desserrage initiale par un levier assez long (21) et de dévisser l'écrou (1) complètement à grande vitesse à l'aide d'un moteur de faible puissance.The invention relates to an automatic tool for tightening and loosening a nut (1) belonging to a flange connection (2, 3) between two pipes (4, 5), the tool comprising a wrench, which can be placed on the head of the nut and which is rotated by a motor. The tool is guided on a rail (8) integral with one of the pipes and includes electrical or pneumatic means (14, 15, 19, 20, 22) enabling the tool to be lowered onto the crown of a flange ( 2), to couple to a nut (1), to overcome the initial loosening force by a fairly long lever (21) and to unscrew the nut (1) completely at high speed using a motor of low power.

Description

L'invention se réfère à un outil automatique de serrage et de desserrage d'une vis ou d'un écrou appartenent à une con­nexion à brides entre deux tuyaux, comprenant une clé qui peut être placée sur la tête de la vis ou de l'écrou et qui est entraînée en rotation par un moteur.The invention relates to an automatic tool for tightening and loosening a screw or nut belonging to a flanged connection between two pipes, comprising a wrench which can be placed on the head of the screw or nut and which is rotated by a motor.

La connexion entre deux brides nécessite le serrage d'un certain nombre de boulons, qui sont répartis régulièrement autour de l'axe des tuyaux et traversent deux brides qui constituent les extrémités de ces tuyaux. En cas d'une am­biance nocive ou radioactive, le serrage des boulons des brides de connexion ne peut plus être effectué manuellement, mais nécessite au contraire le recours à un outil automatique. Jusqu'ici, de tels outils nécessitaient l'assistance continue d'un télémanipulateur, qui rapproche l'outil de la bride, guide la clé de l'outil vers l'écrou à serrer, surveille l'opération de serrage, dégage ensuite la clé de l'écrou pour pouvoir l'engager sur l'écrou suivant de la même connex­ion à brides et ainsi de suite.The connection between two flanges requires the tightening of a certain number of bolts, which are distributed regularly around the axis of the pipes and pass through two flanges which constitute the ends of these pipes. In the event of a harmful or radioactive environment, the tightening of the connection flange bolts can no longer be done manually, but on the contrary requires the use of an automatic tool. Until now, such tools required the continuous assistance of a remote manipulator, which brings the tool closer to the flange, guides the tool key to the nut to be tightened, monitors the tightening operation, then releases the nut wrench to be able to engage it on the next nut of the same flange connection and so on.

Cette solution montre plusieurs inconvénients, qui mènent à chercher une solution mieux adaptée. Parmi ces inconvéni­ents, on peut citer, en particulier, le temps d'occupation du télémanipulateur et l'encombrement de l'ensemble constitué par le télémanipulateur et l'outil. Ce dernier point est particulièrement important, lorsque les brides en question ne sont pas accessibles de tous les côtés. Or, l'outil doit pouvoir servir aussi lorsque le tuyau en question est entouré d'autres tuyaux, la distance entre ces tuyaux ne dépassant guère la largeur des brides de connexion.This solution shows several disadvantages, which lead to seek a more suitable solution. Among these drawbacks, mention may be made, in particular, of the occupation time of the manipulator and the size of the assembly constituted by the manipulator and the tool. This last point is particularly important when the flanges in question are not accessible from all sides. However, the tool must also be able to be used when the pipe in question is surrounded by other pipes, the distance between these pipes hardly exceeding the width of the connection flanges.

L'invention a pour but de proposer un outil automatique tel que défini ci-dessus, qui ne nécessite plus l'assistance par le télémanipulateur une fois qu'il est mis en place sur un tuyau, et qui peut être utilisé même lorsque les tuyaux sont peu accessibles.The invention aims to provide an automatic tool as defined above, which no longer requires assistance by the manipulator once it is placed on a pipe, and which can be used even when the pipes are hardly accessible.

Ce but est atteint par l'outil automatique de serrage et de desserrage, qui est caractérisé selon l'invention par le fait
- que le moteur est monté sur une structure de support ayant une forme semiannulaire, adaptée au diamètre des tuyaux,
- qu'un rail circulaire est fixé autour de l'un des tuyaux à une distance prédéterminée des brides,
- que deux roues susceptibles d'être guidées par ledit rail sont montées, de façon mobile en direction de l'axe des tuyaux, sur un châssis, qui est articulé sur ladite struc­ture,
- qu'une troisième roue susceptible d'être guidée par ledit rail est montée, de façon mobile en direction de l'axe des tuyaux, sur ladite structure, les trois roues étant appliquées contre ledit rail à des angles réguliers lorsque le châssis se trouve dans une position opérative, alors que l'une des roues se dégage du rail lorsque le châssis est escamoté autour de son axe d'articulation,
- que des moyens pneumatiques sont prévus pour déplacer en translation ladite structure de support par rapport aux roues, parallèlement à l'axe des tuyaux,
- qu'un levier d'une forme semiannulaire est articulé sur ladite structure, l'axe de son articulation coincidant avec l'axe de rotation de la clé et une extrémité du levier étant accouplée à un piston pneumatique fixé à ladite surc­ture dans une zone diamétralement opposée à la clé par rapport à l'axe des tuyaux,
- et que ce levier est couplé en rotation à ladite clé par des systèmes cliquet/rochet reversibles d'anti-retour.
This object is achieved by the automatic tightening and loosening tool, which is characterized according to the invention by the fact
- that the motor is mounted on a support structure having a semi-annual shape, adapted to the diameter of the pipes,
- that a circular rail is fixed around one of the pipes at a predetermined distance from the flanges,
- that two wheels capable of being guided by said rail are mounted, movably in the direction of the axis of the pipes, on a chassis, which is articulated on said structure,
- A third wheel capable of being guided by said rail is mounted, movably in the direction of the axis of the pipes, on said structure, the three wheels being applied against said rail at regular angles when the chassis is located in an operative position, while one of the wheels emerges from the rail when the chassis is retracted around its axis of articulation,
- that pneumatic means are provided to move in translation of said support structure relative to the wheels, parallel to the axis of the pipes,
- a lever of semi-annual form is articulated on said structure, the axis of its articulation coinciding with the axis of rotation of the key and one end of the lever being coupled to a pneumatic piston fixed to said surcture in a zone diametrically opposite the wrench with respect to the axis of the pipes,
- And that this lever is coupled in rotation to said key by reversible ratchet / ratchet systems.

En ce qui concerne des réalisations préférées de l'invention, référence est faite aux sous-revendications.With regard to preferred embodiments of the invention, reference is made to the dependent claims.

L'invention sera décrite ci-après plus en détail à l'aide d'un exemple de réalisation et des dessins annexés.

  • Fig. 1 représente une coupe à travers l'outil le long de la ligne A-A de la figure 2 ou de la figure 3.
  • Fig. 2 montre une vue sur l'outil selon les flèches B-B de la fig. 1.
  • Fig. 3 représente une vue sur l'outil selon les flèches C-C de la fig. 1, un couvercle inférieur ayant été enlevé.
  • Fig. 4 montre en coupe un détail de l'outil selon l'invention, la ligne de coupe étant marquée D-D sur la fig. 2.
The invention will be described below in more detail using an embodiment and the accompanying drawings.
  • Fig. 1 represents a section through the tool along the line AA of FIG. 2 or of FIG. 3.
  • Fig. 2 shows a view of the tool according to the arrows BB of FIG. 1.
  • Fig. 3 shows a view of the tool according to the arrows CC in FIG. 1, a lower cover having been removed.
  • Fig. 4 shows in section a detail of the tool according to the invention, the cutting line being marked DD in FIG. 2.

L'outil représenté sur les quatre figures sert à serrer des écrous 1, qui traversent deux brides 1 et 3, ces brides con­stituant les extrémités de deux tuyaux 4 et 5, dont les axes 6 sont alignés.The tool shown in the four figures is used to tighten nuts 1, which pass through two flanges 1 and 3, these flanges constituting the ends of two pipes 4 and 5, whose axes 6 are aligned.

L'outil est spécialement conçu pour le diamètre des tuyaux 4 et 5 et le diamètre sur lequel se trouvent les axes 7 des boulons de connexion 26, qui sont solidaires de la bride inférieure. Du côté des tuyaux, la seule adaptatation à cet outil est constituée par un rail de guidage 8, qui est fixé sur la surface extérieure de l'un des tuyaux et qui coopère avec trois roues 9 à 11 de guidage, dont est muni l'outil.The tool is specially designed for the diameter of the pipes 4 and 5 and the diameter on which the axes 7 of the connection bolts 26 are located, which are integral with the lower flange. On the side of the pipes, the only adaptation to this tool is constituted by a guide rail 8, which is fixed on the external surface of one of the pipes and which cooperates with three guide wheels 9 to 11, which is provided with the tool.

Sur la fig. 1, l'outil est représenté en position rétractée par rapport aux brides 2 et 3, mais fixé de façon auto-por­tante au tuyau 4 à travers le rail 8 et les roues 9 à 11. Parmi ces roues, deux, à savoir les roues 9 et 10, sont por­tées par un châssis commun 24, qui est monté à travers un axe d'articulation 12 sur une structure de support 13 d'une forme générale semiannulaire. La troisième roue 11 est suppor­tée par la structure de support 13 et elle peut être entraînée par un moteur 14, de sorte que la structure de support semi­annulaire peut tourner autour de l'axe 6.In fig. 1, the tool is shown in the retracted position relative to the flanges 2 and 3, but fixed in a self-supporting manner to the pipe 4 through the rail 8 and the wheels 9 to 11. Among these wheels, two, namely the wheels 9 and 10, are carried by a common frame 24, which is mounted through a hinge pin 12 on a support structure 13 of a generally semiannular shape. The third wheel 11 is supported by the support structure 13 and it can be driven by a motor 14, so that the semi-annual support structure can rotate around the axis 6.

Les axes des trois roues 9, 10, 11 jouent un rôle de glissière pneumatique pour la structure de support 13 de telle sorte que cette dernière puisse être baissée ou montée en direction de l'axe 6 des tuyaux, lorsqu'on applique de l'air sous pres­sion à des cylindres 15 et 20, dans lesquels glissent des pistons tels que 16 solidaires de l'axe de la roue correspon­dante. La fig. 1 représente la position haute de cette struc­ture de support, position dans laquelle les écrous 1 ne sont pas atteints par l'outil.The axes of the three wheels 9, 10, 11 act as a pneumatic slide for the support structure 13 so that the latter can be lowered or mounted in the direction of the axis 6 of the pipes, when applying pressurized air to cylinders 15 and 20, in which pistons such as 16 slide integral with the axis of the corresponding wheel. Fig. 1 shows the upper position of this support structure, position in which the nuts 1 are not reached by the tool.

La clé 17 proprement dite est visible sur la fig. 4. Elle est constituée d'un tube de section intérieure hexagonale adaptée à la forme de l'écrou 1. Une tige 25 de stockage d'écrous s'étend le long d'un axe 18. Elle reçoit des écrous desserrés ou elle fournit des écrous qui doivent être serrés sur un boulon 26. Les écrous sont retenus sur cette tige à l'aider de billes telles que 27, qui saillissent légère­ment et élastiquement de logements radiaux dans cette tige et qui s'appuient sur des ressorts. Un moteur pneumatique réversible 19 est accouplé à cette clé pour la faire tourner dans le sens de serrrage ou de desserrage.The key 17 proper is visible in FIG. 4. It consists of a tube of hexagonal internal section adapted to the shape of the nut 1. A rod 25 for storing nuts extends along an axis 18. It receives loose nuts or it provides nuts which must be tightened on a bolt 26. The nuts are retained on this rod by means of balls such as 27, which project slightly and elastically from radial housings in this rod and which are supported on springs. A pneumatic motor reversible 19 is coupled to this key to rotate it in the tightening or loosening direction.

Enfin, l'outil comporte un levier 21, qui est articulé autour de l'axe 18. Par son extrémité libre, le levier 21 est accoup­lé à un piston 22, qui s'appuie contre la structure de support 13. Ce levier enferme la clé et il est accouplé à cette der­nière par un système réversible de cliquet et rochet 23. Sur la fig. 3, on ne voit que les rochets d'un sens de rota­tion, les autres rochets étant cachés derrière le levier.Finally, the tool comprises a lever 21, which is articulated around the axis 18. By its free end, the lever 21 is coupled to a piston 22, which bears against the support structure 13. This lever encloses the key and it is coupled to the latter by a reversible ratchet and ratchet system 23. In FIG. 3, we only see the ratchets in one direction of rotation, the other ratchets being hidden behind the lever.

Le fonctionnement de cet outil est le suivant :The operation of this tool is as follows:

Au préalable, un télémanipulateur est employé pour engager l'outil sur le tuyau concerné. Il suffit de présenter la face ouverte de la structure semiannulaire de support au tuyau, le châssis 24 étant escamoté de sorte que la roue 10 ne gêne pas le passage du tuyau 4. La roue 9 par contre se trouve maintenant dans l'espace cylindrique que doit ulté­rieurement occuper le tuyau. Si le télémanipulateur rapproche l'outil de ce tuyau, ce dernier pousse enfin la roue 9 vers l'arrière et l'articulation du châssis 24 autour de l'axe 12 fait revenir la roue 10 vers la position représentée sur la fig. 2, où les trois roues 9, 10 et 11 sont approximative­ment équidistantes et s'appliquent contre le rail 8 du tuyau 4.Beforehand, a remote manipulator is used to engage the tool on the pipe concerned. It suffices to present the open face of the semiannular structure for supporting the pipe, the chassis 24 being retracted so that the wheel 10 does not hinder the passage of the pipe 4. The wheel 9 on the other hand is now in the cylindrical space that must later occupy the pipe. If the manipulator brings the tool closer to this pipe, the latter finally pushes the wheel 9 backwards and the articulation of the chassis 24 around the axis 12 causes the wheel 10 to return to the position shown in FIG. 2, where the three wheels 9, 10 and 11 are approximately equidistant and are applied against the rail 8 of the pipe 4.

L'outil se maintient dans cette position à l'aide de deux pistons pneumatiques, qui appliquent des forces extérieures, et le télémanipulateur est libéré pour pouvoir placer d'autres outils sur d'autres tuyaux pendant que l'outil visé ici tra­vaille.The tool is kept in this position by means of two pneumatic pistons, which apply external forces, and the remote manipulator is released so that other tools can be placed on other pipes while the tool referred to here is working.

Pour le desserrage des écrous 1 d'une connexion à brides, des moyens de commande programmés non représentés mettent d'abord en marche le moteur 14, qui entraîne la roue 11 et fait tourner l'outil autour du tuyau 4. Des microcontacts non représentés détectent la position de l'écrou 1 et arrêtent le moteur 14, dès que l'axe 7 d'un écrou coincide avec l'axe 18 de la clé. La structure de support 13 est alors en position pour être abaissée sur la bride 2.For loosening the nuts 1 of a flanged connection, programmed control means not shown first start the motor 14, which drives the wheel 11 and rotates the tool around the pipe 4. Microcontacts not shown detect the position of the nut 1 and stop the engine 14, as soon as the axis 7 of a nut coincides with the axis 18 of the key. The support structure 13 is then in position to be lowered on the flange 2.

Pour cela, on injecte de l'air sous pression dans l'une des cavités des cylindres 15 et 20. Pendant que la structure de support 13 est abaissée sur la bride 2, on met en marche le moteur pneumatique 19 d'entraînement de la clé 17, qui tourne à vitesse réduite. Lorsque le support 13 est en contact avec la bride 2 (signalé par microcontact non représenté), la clé 17 a pris position sur l'écrou 1. Le moteur pneumatique 19 se bloque, n'ayant pas un couple suffisant pour dévisser l'écrou 1. On agit alors de façon répétitive sur le piston 22 pour que le levier 21 parcourt un battement de va-et-vient et agisse à travers le système cliquet/rochet 23 sur la clé en sens de desserrage de l'écrou. Pendant ce temps, la pres­sion sur le moteur 19 maintenue. Après quelques cycles d'actionnement du piston 22, le couple de desserrage est devenu acceptable pour le moteur 19. Le dévissage complet est alors obtenu rapidement et l'écrou devissé prend place automatiquement sur la tige 25. Il est alors possible de relever l'ensemble 13 en agissant sur les pistons 15 et 20.For this, air under pressure is injected into one of the cavities of the cylinders 15 and 20. While the support structure 13 is lowered on the flange 2, the pneumatic motor 19 for driving the key 17, which rotates at reduced speed. When the support 13 is in contact with the flange 2 (indicated by microswitch not shown), the key 17 has taken position on the nut 1. The pneumatic motor 19 locks up, not having sufficient torque to unscrew the nut 1. The piston 22 is then acted repeatedly so that the lever 21 travels back and forth and acts through the ratchet / ratchet system 23 on the key in the direction of loosening the nut. During this time, the pressure on the motor 19 is maintained. After a few actuation cycles of the piston 22, the loosening torque has become acceptable for the motor 19. The complete unscrewing is then obtained quickly and the unscrewed nut takes place automatically on the rod 25. It is then possible to raise the together 13 by acting on the pistons 15 and 20.

Ensuite, la commande programmée recommence le cycle en tour­nant l'outil en vue d'aligner la clé 17 sur un autre écrou et ainsi de suite. En fin de l'opération, le télémanipulateur est de nouveau appelé pour dégager l'outil du tuyau et pour l'appliquer au besoin sur un autre tuyau.Then, the programmed command restarts the cycle by turning the tool in order to align the key 17 with another nut and so on. At the end of the operation, the manipulator is called again to release the tool from the pipe and to apply it if necessary on another pipe.

Lors du serrage, la fonction de l'outil est similaire. Seul le sens de rotation du moteur 19 est inversé et les cliquets 23 sont positionnés conformément. Au préalable, la tige de stockage 25 est chargée d'écrous, qui se déchargent alors automatiquement en fournissant un écrou à chaque vissage. Le couple de rotation étant faible au départ, le moteur 19 continue à tourner après l'engagement de l'écrou 1 et il est arrêté seulement vers la fin du serrage où le couple devient important. Le serrage final est obtenu par le va-et-­vient du levier 21, la force de serrage pouvant être ajus­tée à une valeur désirée par la limitation de la pression d'air alimentant le piston 22.When tightening, the tool's function is similar. Only the direction of rotation of the motor 19 is reversed and the pawls 23 are positioned accordingly. Beforehand, the storage rod 25 is loaded with nuts, which then unload automatically by providing a nut for each screwing. The torque being low at the start, the motor 19 continues to rotate after the engagement of the nut 1 and it is stopped only towards the end of tightening where the torque becomes significant. The final tightening is obtained by the back and forth of the lever 21, the tightening force being able to be adjusted to a desired value by limiting the air pressure supplying the piston 22.

L'outil selon l'invention permet, par une programmation adé­quate des moyens de commande, de traiter successivement des écrous qui ne sont pas adjacents sur la couronne de la bride. Cela est souvent désiré pour rendre le serrage plus uniforme sur le pourtour de la bride. Il est également possible de parcourir plusieurs cycles de serrage en augmentant le couple final de serrage d'un cycle à l'autre. Le télémanipulateur n'intervient qu'au bout du dernier cycle.The tool according to the invention makes it possible, by adequate programming of the control means, to successively process nuts which are not adjacent to the crown of the flange. This is often desired to make the tightening more uniform around the edge of the flange. It is also possible to go through several tightening cycles by increasing the final tightening torque from one cycle to another. The remote manipulator does not intervene until the end of the last cycle.

Il est à noter que les forces mis en oeuvre dans les diffé­rents moteurs ou pistons pneumatiques sont faibles et que le couple de serrage final est produit à travers un bras relativement long. Enfin, il est à noter que l'encombrement de l'outil selon l'invention est très faible, permettant son emploi au cas où son lieu de travail est entouré par un faisceau d'autres tuyaux, à condition seulement qu'il y ait quelque part de la place pour enfiler la structure semiannulaire sur le tuyau en question.It should be noted that the forces used in the various pneumatic motors or pistons are low and that the final tightening torque is produced through a relatively long arm. Finally, it should be noted that the size of the tool according to the invention is very small, allowing it to be used in the event that its workplace is surrounded by a bundle of other pipes, provided only that there is somewhere to put the semiannular structure on the pipe in question.

L'invention n'est pas limitée à l'exemple de réalisation décrit ci-dessus. On peut, en particulier, remplacer les pistons pneumatiques par des vérins hydrauliques ou par des moyens électromécaniques, tels que des vis sans fin entraînées par des moteurs électriques.The invention is not limited to the embodiment described above. One can, in particular, replace the pneumatic pistons by hydraulic cylinders or by electromechanical means, such as worms driven by electric motors.

Claims (4)

1. Outil automatique de serrage et de desserrage d'une vis ou d'un écrou (1) appartenant à une connexion à brides (2 3) entre deux tuyaux (4, 5), comprenant une clé (17) qui peut être placée sur la tête de la vis ou de l'écrou et qui est entraînée en rotation par un moteur (19), caractérisé en ce que
- que le moteur (19) est monté sur une structure de support (13) ayant une forme semiannulaire adaptée au diamètre des tuyaux (4, 5),
- qu'un rail circulaire (8) est fixé autour de l'un des tuyaux (4) à une distance prédéterminée des brides (2, 3),
- que deux roues (9, 10) susceptibles d'être guidées par ledit rail (8) sont montées, de façon mobile en direction de l'axe (6) des tuyaux, sur un châssis (24), qui est arti­culé sur ladite structure (13),
- qu'une troisième roue (11) susceptible d'être guidée par ledit rail (8) est montée, de façon mobile en direction de l'axe (6) des tuyaux, sur ladite structure (13), les trois roues étant appliqués contre ledit rail à des angles réguliers lorsque le châssis (24) se trouve dans une posi­tion opérative, alors que l'une des roues (10) se dégage du rail lorsque le châssis est escamoté autour de son axe (12) d'articulation,
- que des moyens pneumatiques (15, 20) sont prévus pour dé­placer en translation ladite structure (13) de support par rapport aux roues, parallèlement à l'axe (6) des tuyaux,
- qu'un levier (21) d'une forme semiannulaire est articulé sur ladite structure, l'axe de son articulation coincidant avec l'axe de rotation (18) de la clé, et une extrémité du levier étant accouplé à un piston pneumatique (22) fixé à ladite structure (13) dans une zone diamétralement opposée à la clé par rapport à l'axe des tuyaux (6),
- et que ce levier (21) est couplé en rotation à ladite clé par des systèmes cliquet/rochet (23) reversibles d'anti-­retour.
1. Automatic tool for tightening and loosening a screw or nut (1) belonging to a flange connection (2 3) between two pipes (4, 5), comprising a wrench (17) which can be placed on the head of the screw or nut and which is rotated by a motor (19), characterized in that
- that the motor (19) is mounted on a support structure (13) having a semi-annual shape adapted to the diameter of the pipes (4, 5),
- that a circular rail (8) is fixed around one of the pipes (4) at a predetermined distance from the flanges (2, 3),
- That two wheels (9, 10) capable of being guided by said rail (8) are mounted, movably in the direction of the axis (6) of the pipes, on a frame (24), which is articulated on said structure (13),
- A third wheel (11) capable of being guided by said rail (8) is mounted, movably in the direction of the axis (6) of the pipes, on said structure (13), the three wheels being applied against said rail at regular angles when the chassis (24) is in an operative position, while one of the wheels (10) is released from the rail when the chassis is retracted around its axis (12) of articulation,
- that pneumatic means (15, 20) are provided to move said support structure (13) in translation relative to the wheels, parallel to the axis (6) of the pipes,
- A lever (21) of semi-annual shape is articulated on said structure, the axis of its articulation coinciding with the axis of rotation (18) of the key, and one end of the lever being coupled to a pneumatic piston (22) fixed to said structure (13) in a diametrically opposite zone to the key with respect to the axis of the pipes (6),
- And that this lever (21) is coupled in rotation to said key by ratchet / ratchet systems (23) reversible non-return.
2. Outil selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la troisième roue (11) est entraînée par un moteur (14) per­mettant de tourner l'outil autour de l'axe (6) des tuyaux.2. Tool according to claim 1, characterized in that the third wheel (11) is driven by a motor (14) for turning the tool around the axis (6) of the pipes. 3. Outil selon la revendication 2, caractérisé en ce qu'il comporte des micro-contacts servant à détecter la position des vis (1) ou écrous pour commander le moteur (14) d'en­traînement de la troisième roue (11).3. Tool according to claim 2, characterized in that it comprises micro-contacts serving to detect the position of the screws (1) or nuts for controlling the motor (14) for driving the third wheel (11). 4. Outil selon l'une des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce qu'il y a des micro-contacts servant à commander les­dits moyens pneumatiques (15, 20) en fonction de la distance entre la structure (13) et les brides (2, 3).4. Tool according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that there are micro-contacts used to control said pneumatic means (15, 20) as a function of the distance between the structure (13) and the flanges (2, 3).
EP19870106176 1986-04-30 1987-04-28 Automatic tool for the screwing and unscrewing of a screw of a flange between two pipes Expired - Lifetime EP0243943B1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
LU86415A LU86415A1 (en) 1986-04-30 1986-04-30 AUTOMATIC TOOL FOR TIGHTENING AND UNLOCKING A SCREW OF A FLANGE CONNECTION BETWEEN TWO PIPES
LU86415 1986-04-30

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0243943A1 true EP0243943A1 (en) 1987-11-04
EP0243943B1 EP0243943B1 (en) 1990-04-04

Family

ID=19730690

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP19870106176 Expired - Lifetime EP0243943B1 (en) 1986-04-30 1987-04-28 Automatic tool for the screwing and unscrewing of a screw of a flange between two pipes

Country Status (5)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0243943B1 (en)
DE (1) DE3762099D1 (en)
ES (1) ES2014273B3 (en)
GR (1) GR3000557T3 (en)
LU (1) LU86415A1 (en)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1995033597A1 (en) * 1994-06-07 1995-12-14 Hedley Purvis Limited Mounting assembly for a plurality of bolt working devices
GB2324489A (en) * 1997-04-24 1998-10-28 Allseas Group Sa Underwater connection of pipe flanges and bolt therefor
CN102380764A (en) * 2010-09-03 2012-03-21 烟台宝钢钢管有限责任公司 Air bag type steel pipe protecting ring screw-on machine
CN108127010A (en) * 2018-02-06 2018-06-08 湖南拯卫建设科技有限公司 Tube body screwing device
CN110948216A (en) * 2019-12-30 2020-04-03 核动力运行研究所 Automatic nut dismounting tool and method for main pump motor supporting handle bolt

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN115127793B (en) * 2022-06-20 2025-02-14 四川航天长征装备制造有限公司 A manual armored bellows swing performance test device

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1304256A (en) * 1961-10-20 1962-09-21 Euratom Fluid-tight flanged joints, and method of making them remotely
FR1419167A (en) * 1964-12-28 1965-11-26 Skil Corp Drive offset attachment for tools with rotating drive member
FR1543960A (en) * 1967-05-24 1968-10-31 Commissariat Energie Atomique Remote-handling assembly device
DE2026257A1 (en) * 1969-07-18 1971-01-28 Biach, John Louis, Cranford, N J (V St A) Device for exercising a torque, in particular for tightening or loosening a screw connection
DE2230955A1 (en) * 1972-06-23 1974-01-10 Nsw Corp METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ROTATING A FASTENING ELEMENT

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR1304256A (en) * 1961-10-20 1962-09-21 Euratom Fluid-tight flanged joints, and method of making them remotely
FR1419167A (en) * 1964-12-28 1965-11-26 Skil Corp Drive offset attachment for tools with rotating drive member
FR1543960A (en) * 1967-05-24 1968-10-31 Commissariat Energie Atomique Remote-handling assembly device
DE2026257A1 (en) * 1969-07-18 1971-01-28 Biach, John Louis, Cranford, N J (V St A) Device for exercising a torque, in particular for tightening or loosening a screw connection
DE2230955A1 (en) * 1972-06-23 1974-01-10 Nsw Corp METHOD AND DEVICE FOR ROTATING A FASTENING ELEMENT

Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1995033597A1 (en) * 1994-06-07 1995-12-14 Hedley Purvis Limited Mounting assembly for a plurality of bolt working devices
GB2324489A (en) * 1997-04-24 1998-10-28 Allseas Group Sa Underwater connection of pipe flanges and bolt therefor
GB2324489B (en) * 1997-04-24 2002-03-13 Allseas Group Sa Method and apparatus for underwater connection of pipe pieces and bolt therefor
CN102380764A (en) * 2010-09-03 2012-03-21 烟台宝钢钢管有限责任公司 Air bag type steel pipe protecting ring screw-on machine
CN102380764B (en) * 2010-09-03 2013-06-26 烟台宝钢钢管有限责任公司 Air bag type steel pipe protecting ring screw-on machine
CN108127010A (en) * 2018-02-06 2018-06-08 湖南拯卫建设科技有限公司 Tube body screwing device
CN110948216A (en) * 2019-12-30 2020-04-03 核动力运行研究所 Automatic nut dismounting tool and method for main pump motor supporting handle bolt

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
GR3000557T3 (en) 1991-07-31
LU86415A1 (en) 1987-06-02
DE3762099D1 (en) 1990-05-10
ES2014273B3 (en) 1990-07-01
EP0243943B1 (en) 1990-04-04

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