US1954160A - Metal pipe forming machine - Google Patents

Description

April 10, 1934. E, WHEELER METAL PIPE FORMING MACHINE Filed March 19. 19152 4 Sheets-Sheet l April l0. 1934.

l E. WHEELER 1,954,160

kMETAL PIPE FORMING MACHINE Filed Mgroh y19. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 :E'gg.E .97

April 10, E. WHEELER 1,954,160

METAL PIPE FORMING MACHINE Filed March 19. 1932 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 IM/ENTOR.

ma@ Zaw@ I TTORNE Y.

Patented Apr. '10, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE lVIETAL PIPE FORMING MACHINE Application March 19, 1932, Serial No. 599,897

s claims.

This invention relatesA generally to pipe forming apparatus, more specifically to apparatus for forming pipe or conduits from sheet metal.

The principal object of the present invention is to provide an apparatus of the character referred to constructed in such a manner that a A pipe or conduit may be formed continuously adjacent a ditch or in the locality Where pipe lines are to be laid, thereby eliminating the necessity l0 of transporting sections of pipe and at the same time saving the time and labor required to join such sections of pipe together.

Another object is to provide a portable pipe forming apparatus'so constructed that pipe may be formed continuously from flat sheet` metal known to the trade as steel skelpwound on reels by rs't converting the same into a cylindrical shape during movement of the apparatus,

then joining the abutting edges together by electric welding.

Another object is to provide an apparatus for lforming sheet iron pipe continuously constructed in such a manner that the pipe may be tested as it is formed for leakage without stopping the operation of the apparatus.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from lthe following description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings. in which:

Fig. l is a top plan view of the improved pipe forming apparatus.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, parts being broken away and shown inm section.

Fig. 3 is a front elevation of the apparatus taken in the direction indicated by the arrow 3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a detailed section taken on line -5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a vertical longitudinal section taken through the actual pipe forming apparatus as indicated by line 6-6 of- Fig. 1.

Fig. 7 is a section taken online '7-7 of Fig. l6.

vpassing thereover, while spindles 34 and bearings .forming rollers generally designated at 38 which end of the Wrapping device as indicated by line ll-ll of Fig. 10.

Fig. l2 is a section taken on line 12-12 of Fig. 10.

Referring more specifically to the drawings, 10 60 generally designates the vehicle employed in connection with the pipe forming apparatus. Vehicle l0 is propelled preferably by a gas engine l1 and is preferably provided with caterpillar treads l2 extending around sprockets 13, secured 65 to the front and rear axles 14, the latter being driven through chains l5 extending around sprockets 16 secured to the rear axles and over sprockets 18 secured to aA 'counter-shaft 19, which in turn is driven through reduction gearing (not 7o showni' mounted in a gear case-20 and interconnected with a drive shaft 2l.

Drive shaft 2l is connected with the crankshaft 22 of the engine through the usual selective speed gear transmission (not shown) mounted in a case 23, it being understood that the steering of the vehicle may be controlled in the usual manner generally employed in the caterpillar type of tractors.

Referring to Fig. 3, the front and rear axles 14 80 are rotatably mounted in housings 24 rigidly secured to longitudinal channels 25 which in turn are interconnected with underslung braces 26 and overhead frames generally designated at 27.

Secured to channels 25 intermediate their ends are bearings 28 which serve to pivotally support a trame 30 in which in turn is pivotally mounted a second frame 31 which carries a platform 32. the frame 30 being provided with oppositely disposed trunnions 33 extending into the bearings 90 28 while the second frame 3l is provided with vertically disposed spindles 34 extending into bearings 35 carried by frame 30.

'I'he trunnions 33 and bearings 28 permit tilting of the vehicle due to'undulations in the road while 95 35 allowv turning in either direction without twisting or distorting pipe as it is being formed.

Mounted in frame 31 is an assembly of pipe /f kcoact with an arbor or mandrel 39 in forming the 10o 'pipe P from sheets or strips of sheet metal desigof each set have a conical face formed on a radius corresponding to the exterior diameter of the pipe being formed, and are formed in two `parts urged into engagement with each other by expansion coil springs 46a which encircle the' respective shafts and are disposed between the bearings and the outer races of antifriction bearings 47, the latter being provided to prevent twisting of the springs during rotation of the rollers.

Upper set of rollers 43 are urged into engagement with the lower set of rollers by expansion coil springs 48 encircling rods 50, the lower ends of which are connected to the bearings 45 while their upper ends are slidably mounted in openings formed in a plate 46h that extends across and is secured to the side members 47.

The rollers are formed in two parts in order that they may separate to permit the weld indicated at W connecting the adjoining ends of the sections of strips/ S during formation of the pipe, the springs 46a and 48 simultaneously yielding suiiiciently to allow such separation.

Springs 48 also serve to hold the upper set ofV rollers in engagement with the pipe but are prevented from exerting pressure on the shafts by collars 51 secured to the upper end of the rods which engage lugs52 formed/on the plate.

Mandrel 39 is in the form of a cylindrical body 54 having a round or hemispherical end 55 terminating in a neck. 56 which extends through an opening formed in the lower end of a member 57 rigidly secured to plate 46a, the mandrel being connected to the member by a collar 58 screw threaded or otherwise secured to the neck.

As previously referred to, the pipe is formed from the strips S, (skelp), the strips being wound on spools or reels R adapted to be mounted on the body of a motor vehicle arranged to travel forwardly of the apparatus, the strips being unwound and looped as indicated at L in orderthat the weld W will be formed on the outside of the pipe, such weld being formed on a .suitable table or plate 60.

The strip extends from the plate 60 and passes between a pair of primary forming rollers 61 and 62 having concave and convex faces respectively as clearly shown in Fig. 8.

Roller 62 is secured to a shaft 63 journalled in bearings 64 rigidly mounted on the platform adjacent its forward end While roller 61 is secured to a shaft 64 journalled in bearings 65 connected to the lower ends of rods 66, slidably mounted in openings formed in a plate 67 secured to the upper ends of side members 68 of a frame 69. Roller 61 is urged into engagement with roller 62 by expansion coil springs 70 encircling the rods between the bearings 65 and plate 67. The springs are of weld W to pass between the two rollers.

It will be apparent that as the apparatus is moved forwardly the strip S will be changed from a at to a cylindrical shape providing that the strip is held relatively stationary. This is accomplished by rst welding or otherwise securing a joint of pipe designated at J to the end of the strip, then passing it through the forming rollers 38 and a wrapping `mechanism generally desig, nated at M and anchoring it to the ground as indicated at A in Figs. 1 and 2.

The meeting edges of the tube or cylinder th formed are joined together by electricwelding indicated at L.. This is accomplished by an apparatus designated at 71 adan' automatically feed a welding rod 72 disposed between the rear upper set of rollers 43, the Weld being prevented from fusing with the mandrel by a copper plate `74 engaging the ixmer face of the tube directly below said rod.

Plate 74 is pivotally mounted as indicated at 75 within a recess 76 formed in the mandrel and is urged upwardly by an expansion coil spring 77.

Electric energy for operating the welding apparatus is supplied by a generator G mounted on a platform 78 that extends across and is secured to the frames 27 adjacent one side thereof. The generator is driven by a gas engine 79 through a chain and sprocket transmission connected with a main drive shaft 80 mounted on the platform.

As pipe P is being formed it is adapted to be tested for leakage around the welded joints W and L.. This is accomplished by admitting compressed air into the pipe etween a pair of pistons or heads 82 arranged t erein rearwardly of the mandrel. Each head 82 consists of a pair of metal discs 83 and a flexible member 84 disposed therebetween. The heads are held in spaced relation by a tube 85 having flanges or shoulders 86 engaging the faces of the inner discs, the heads being connected together by nuts or the like 87 threaded or Welded to the projecting ends of said tube.

Compressed air is supplied through a pipe 88, the rear end of which extends between and is connected to the heads by nuts or collars 89, the end of the pipe being closed and having one or more apertures formed therein between the heads. Pipe 88 extends through a bore 90 formed in the mandrel, projects forwardly therefrom as shown in Fig. 6, and is connected through a suitshaft through a chain and sprocket transmis-l sion designated at 98.

Rotatably mounted in tube 85 and an aligned opening formed inthe mandrel is a pipe 100 through which asphaltum, tar paint or the like is introduced toCcoat the interior of the pipe. The portion of pipe 100 extending rearwardly from the mandrel is provided with a plurality of radially disposed nozzles 101, while its opposite end extends into a fitting 102 through a suitable packing gland 103. A pipe 104 is connected to the fitting 102 and to a force pump 105 (mounted on platform 78) through a flexible conduit 106 while the'suction side ofthe pump in turn is connected to a receptacle 107 adapted to hold a supply of the paint employed.

Pipe 100 is adapted to be rotated continuously in order that the paint may be evenly distributed over the internal surface of the pipe. 'I'his is effected by transmission interconnected with the drive shaft arranged as follows: Secured to pipe 100 is a bevel gear '108 which meshes with the complementary gear 109 secured to the lower end of a vertically disposed shaft 110 mounted in bearings 111 carried by the member 57 and avbracket 112 extending upwardly from plate 4Gb of frame 31.

Secured 'to the upper end of shaft 110 is a bevel gear 113 which meshes with a gear 114 secured to a short shaft 115 mounted in a bearing 116 rigidly connected to the bracket 112.

Referring to Fig. 5, shaft 115 is connected 119 journalled in bearings 120 mounted on the platform, one member of the joint 117 being provided with a non-circular shank slidably mounted in a sleeve 122 carried bythe opposite member of joint 118. The above. assembly is provided in order to accommodate relative movement between platforms 32 and 78 during movement of the apparatus. Shaft 119 is driven from drive shaft -89 through chain and sprocket transmission designated at 123.

As previously referred to, heads 82 and pipe 85 remain stationary during the interval pipe P is being tested for leakage, while the mandrel and associated parts move forwardly. Hence it is necessary to return or restorethe heads to their original position (that is, in a position shown in Fig. 6) in order that the testing operation may be repeated. To this end pipe 85 is then connected through a cable 124 and to the lower Iend of ra lever 125 pivotally mounted as indicated at 125a to a standard 126 secured to platform 32, the cable being connected to an'eye or the like 91a. secured to the fitting 91 and extending therefrom around a pulley 127 carried by a bracket 128 also secured to the platform.

Heads 82 form what may be termed an airtight compartment withinwthe pipe which remains relatively stationary therewith during movement of the apparatus. Hence, in order to move the heads Within said pipe it is necessary l to first cut off the admission of compressed air `upon the air is iirst cut olf and then released, it

being understood that during such movement the position of lever will have been reversed. It is then only necessary to pull forwardlyon said lever to restore the heads to their original position. It will be obvious that any leakage in the welded joints W and L may be detected by applying liquid thereto, and any leaks which may appear may be closed with spot welding operations.

Referring to Fig. 9, a burner designated at B is provided to heat the pipe P prior to application of the paint in order 'that it will more readily adhere thereto and at the sare time quickly dry. Burner B is preferably in the form of a perforated pipe 132 which encircles pipe P and is supplied with hydro-carbon fuel from a storage tank 133 mounted on platform 3 2 through a pipe 134. Compressed air is admitted to the tank 133 above the liquid level therein through a iiexible conduit 135 connected to pipe line 94 in order to induce a flow of fuel to the burner.

Wrapping mechanism M shown in detail in Figs. 10, 11 and 12 consists of 'a bearing 138 (mounted on platform .32) in which is rotatably mounted a tubular member 139 which in` turn carries a pair of spools 140 adapted to receive rollsof paper and ,wrap the same around pipe' P in4 order to protect it against rust or corrosion as indlcated at T. Y

Each spool 140 is notably mounted on a spindle 141 secured to or formedintegral with a segmental worm wheel 142 pivotally mounted on a' f paper as it is wrapped on thepipe. The supply stud or the like 143 projecting from a bracket 144 secured to member 139. Worm wheels 142 mesh with worms 145 secured to shaft 146 mounted in bearings 147 carried by the bracket 144, and secured to the outer ends of said shafts are cranks 148 by which the angularity of the spools may be adjusted in relation to the axis of the pipe P. Such adjustment is provided in order that the number of layers of paper ywrapped on the pipe may be varied. In theA present instance the spools are set to wrap the paper in overlapping layers. It will be understood that two spools are provided in order that a reserve supply will be available when paper of one roll has been exhausted.

Tensioning devices designated at 149 consist of bands 150 encircling drums 151 carried by the Yspools 140 and are provided in order that the paper may be tightly wrapped on the pipe, one end of said bands being connected to arms 152 projecting from the spindles while the opposite ends are connected by retractile coil springs 153.

Secured to the forward end pf member 139 is a gear 154 which meshes with a pinion 155 secured to the countershaft of a selective speed transmission (not shown) arranged in a case 156 mounted on the platform 32 through which the revolutions per minute, or rate of rotation of the member 139 may be varied according to the speed of the apparatus in order that the paper will not become broken or twisted during wrapping of it on the pipe.

Secured to the main shaft 157vof the transmission above referred to is a bevel gear 158 which meshes with a complementary gear 159 secured to a shaft 160 journalled in a bearing 161 mounted on the platform 32. 'Ihe shaft 160 journalled in a bearing 161 mounted on the platform 32. The shaft 160 is connected through universal joints 162 and 163 to a shaft 164 journalled in a bearing 165 mounted on one of the channels 25, 115 the latter being driven through chain and sprocket Vtransmission 166 from the counter-shaft 19.

Member 139 is arranged to rotate in the direction indicated by the arrow 167 and during its 120 rotation liquid adhesive material is applied tothe of such mate is carried in a tank 167 and is conveyed the rom through a flexible conduit 169 to an annular recess 170 formed `in the bear- 125 ing 138 by a pump 171 mounted on Vthe platform and driven through chain and sprocket transmission 172 from the drive shaft 80.

The adhesivematerial fed into the recess passes therefrom through ports 173 formed in 130 pipe line 94 in order that compressed airlmay be admitted thereto toclean out and prevent clogging of such parts after-stopping' operation of the apparatus.

' In operation: AThe apparatusand vehicle are' moved forwardly at' comparatively slow speed during which time the pipe will be formed in the manner above described. The portion of the strip extending between the vehicle and apparatus may 150 ing the pipe for leakage.

2. In a pipe forming apparatus, ka movable structure, means for converting a at strip held against movement into a tubular shape, means for joining the meeting edges together to form a pipe continuously carried by said structure, a pair of interconnected heads arranged to form a compartment within the pipe reawardly of the tube forming and joining means, and means for introducing iiuid under pressure between said heads whereby any leakage in the pipe may be detected.

3. In a pipe forming apparatusa movablel structure, means for converting a flat strip held against movement into a tubular shape, means for joining the meeting edges together to form a pipe continuously carried by said structure, a pair of interconnected-heads arranged to form a compartment within the pipe rearwardly of the tube forming and joining means, means for introducing fluid under pressure between said heads whereby any leakage in :the pipe may be detected, and means for moving said heads within the pipe.

4. In a pipe forming apparatus, a movable structure, means for converting'a at strip held against movement into a tubular shape, means for joining the meeting edges together` to form a pipe continuously carried by said structure, a pair of interconnected heads arranged to form a compartment within the pipe rearwardly of the tube forming and joining means, means for introducing fluid under pressure between said heads whereby anylealcage in the pipe may be detected, means for moving said heads within the pipe, and means for automatically controlling the `admission and release of uid under pressure between said heads whereby said heads may be moved within thepipe after testing the same.

5. In a pipe forming apparatus, a power operated structure arranged to move in one direction, means for converting a flat strip held against movement into a tubular shape and means for 'joining the meeting edges together to form a 4' pip'e continuously carried by said structure, a

pair ofv interconnected heads arranged to form a compartment within the pipe rearwardly of the tube forming and joining means, means for creating fluid pressure carried by said structure, and a conduit leading from said fluid pressure creating means and `communicating with the space between said heads. 6. In a pipe forming apparatus, a power operated structure arranged to move in one direction, means for converting a at strip held against movement into a tubular shape and means for joining the meeting edges together to form a pipe continuously carried by said structure, a

pair of interconnectedheads arranged to form a compartment within the pipe rearwardly of the tube forming and joining means, means for creating fluid pressure carried by said structure, a

conduit leading from vsaid fluid pressure creating means and communicating with the space bet

Images