This invention covers a method for treating inner surfaces of conduits, such as conduits of vapour conduction installations, for example, in installations for electric energy production; according to said method a thermal projection device is deployed, through the end or a manhole of a conduit, and it comprises the operations of positioning, centering, possibly verifying the result, and advancing. It also comprises using mechanical, optical, acoustic or electronic means for recognition of any changes in direction of the conduit, and repositioning of the device in respect of said changes in direction.
This invention also comprises a device for treatment of inner surfaces of conduits which comprises a thermal projection device, pulling means, possibly means for centering a head for projecting particles of molten metal, pulling means and possibly a system for detecting any changes in direction of the conduit. The device also comprises means for supplying energy and feeding the metal to be projected.
Vapour conduits of all kinds of industrial installations, such as vapour conduits of energy production installations, are subject to aggression through abrasion, due to the high speed at which the vapour circulates, and this can be worsened by possible chemical aggression due to the ionisation of the vapour. Over time the abrasion becomes serious and can weaken the conduits. On one hand, these installations are extraordinarily costly, for which reason the replacement of material which can be preserved must be avoided, insofar as this is possible, and on the other, the use of a vapour installation in unsafe conditions proves highly dangerous, since any pore produced in the conduits, apart from a high risk for the safety of any operator who might be affected by the blast given off, would require immediate stoppage of the installation, replacement of the damaged section, and thorough revision of the entire installation, which would entail very high costs. Since there is wear, there has to be a replacement of the material dragged off by the vapour, so as to maintain the initial conditions, or at least safe conditions.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,508,413 describes a machine for cleaning and remote coating of a conduit, such as a vapour conduit. This machine comprises a support bar, fitted with associated motors, which comprises motors for the movement of a head along said bar, and for the rotation of the head, said head comprising means for abrasion cleaning and/or thermal projection of metal. It comprises at least one pair of tripods for proper positioning and securing in the pipeline and also comprises a device for control of the device. This device must work in sections, since the device must be repositioned in each of said sections, at the same time as there are zones, such as the zones for support of the tripod legs, which could lead to shortcomings in the coating, and would in any event require the reduction of the distances in which the devices has to be relocated in each new section.
This invention refers to a mobile device able to move along a conduit, particularly a horizontal conduit or one with a small slope, which comprises:
In order to illustrate the following explanation, we are enclosing with this descriptive report three sheets of drawings in which the essence of this invention is represented in six figures, and in which:
This invention therefore consists of a method for regenerating inner surfaces of conduits by means of thermal projection of metals, comprising the stages of:
The method also optionally comprises picking up an image of the inside of the conduit and transmitting the information to a device for recording, viewing or information processing, located on the outside, from which the right decision can be made, such as for a further movement of the carrying device to regenerate a new zone, extraction of the device, or continuation of the projection process if the regeneration has not reached a satisfactory degree.
The method is also designed to include, as well as or instead of picking up the graphic image, measuring the thickness of the walls of the conduit or measuring prior to or after the thermal projection phase, determining in either of these cases if the operation has given a sufficiently satisfactory result.
This invention also covers a device for regenerating inner surfaces of conduits by the thermal projection of metals, as claimed in claim 4, which is formed of:
The rear end of the vehicle may possibly also comprise a securing device (14) for the cables, wire, or other conduits, and this securing device is preferably able to rotate in synchronisation with the operating head (13).
The device according to the invention is designed to also comprise a device for detecting the thickness and/or the surface evenness of the regenerated surface or also a device for picking up the image inside the conduit and transmitting the information to a device for recording, displaying or information processing.
In accordance with a preferential embodiment, the vehicle (1) comprises an hinged arm (3), one of whose ends is articulated to this vehicle (1) by means of a lower hinge pin (9) and the other in turn holds the operating head by means of an upper hinge pin (10). Preferably either the hinged arm (3), or the operating head or both of these comprise a rotation axle perpendicular to the corresponding hinge pin (9, 10) which enables the mobility of the head in the rotational direction (rotation in respect of a vertical axis when the operating head is set in a horizontal position).
The device disclosed in the invention comprises means of control for adjusting the position of the operating head.
In a preferential embodiment, the device for expanding/retracting the wheel trains (22) takes place by means of a fixed axle (31) (for each train) fitted in the elongated structure (11), as well as a corresponding mobile axle (32) able to be slid along by means of a track (33); as the axles approach each other, the angle of the corresponding carrying bars in respect of said elongated structure increases, causing the end where the corresponding wheels are located to move away.
Number | Date | Country | |
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Parent | 13508053 | May 2012 | US |
Child | 14614976 | US |