WO2017116320A1

WO2017116320A1 - System and method for continuous strip winding onto lateral surface of longitudinal objects

Info

Publication number: WO2017116320A1
Application number: PCT/TR2015/050277
Authority: WO
Inventors: Zafer Gemici; Tamer Birtane; Saim KENDIISLER; Ertan AKBAYIR; Mustafa Dogu
Original assignee: MIR ARASTIRMA VE GELISTIRME AS
Current assignee: MIR ARASTIRMA VE GELISTIRME AS
Priority date: 2015-12-28
Filing date: 2015-12-28
Publication date: 2017-07-06
Anticipated expiration: 2018-06-28

Abstract

The present invention proposes a system for continuous winding of a strip onto lateral surface of a longitudinal object, comprising a reel configured to partially enclose a longitudinal object to be wound, and to provide a passage to the longitudinal object at a longitudinal movement relative to the reel, said movement being along longitudinal axis of a longitudinal object; the reel being rotatable around a rotation axis and comprising a set of free rollers distributed around the reel, the set being configured to slidably bear and spool a strip around the reel; and an opening for serving as a strip passage from around the set towards a central portion of the reel. The present invention further proposes a related method.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTINUOUS STRIP WINDING ONTO LATERAL SURFACE OF LONGITUDINAL OBJECTS

Technical Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a system for continuous and uninterrupted winding of a strip onto lateral surface of longitudinal objects such as pipes, and a related method.

Background of the Invention

Pipes having one or more wound layers are composite structures such as reinforced thermoplastic pipes (RTP) having an inner layer, a wound interlayer, and a protective outer layer. RTP's are advantageous over steel pipes due to their high corrosion resistance and especially their low density in comparison with steel. Since it requires several steps to arrange the layers, it is important to seek an effective, low cost and easy method for production of such pipes.

Formation of inter- and outer layers onto the inner layer is usually performed by taking a pre-formed and fixed-length plastic pipe as inner layer, winding a usually composite strip thereon, and covering the wound pipe with a protective layer. Thus, in such procedures the maximum available length of a RTP is limited by the initial length of the plastic pipe used as inner layer. Pre-formed inner pipes are wound with strips, then coiled and stored for a further process step of protective layer application. This results in further storage and transportation costs. For arrangement of new strip coils as replacement of empty coils, the whole system should be stopped.

Especially at multi-interlayer pipe production, further interlayers require greater winding diameters with respect to lower level interlayers closer to the first layer; hence, strip coils forming such further interlayers end earlier than those of lower level interlayers. When a strip coil forming a further interlayer ends, the system should be halted and strip coils for each interlayer level should be renewed. This causes waste of unused strip and increases the material costs. Strips at a lower level interlayer are affixed externally, which increases the costs and decreases the product quality.

Pipes without such length limitation can be obtained by production lines where the inner layer is being produced (i.e. extruded) online, and wound with a strip in a downstream direction of the extruder, then covered with a protective outer layer. In such processes, the length of the RTP can be considered as dependent to extrusion time. The RTP length can be lengthened as long as extrusion time of the inner layer. Yet, the strip to be wound is usually fed from a coil, and has a certain length. Therefore the winding and thus the production of the RTP gets interrupted at the end of each coil. In such case, either the interlayer winding becomes irregular along the RTP, or the process including the extrusion should also be interrupted. This fact results in extended production costs due to high complexity and difficulty of the RTP production. It is vital to uninterrupted winding of the interlayer especially in such production lines comprising a fixed-rate extrusion of the inner pipe layer.

US 7 374 127 B2 describes a system for winding of a strip onto a pipe. In this system, the winding mechanism performs a translational movement along with the pipe, when the coil of strip is used up and to be changed. The system requires a long track for guiding the winding mechanism at fixing a new coil of strip. Additionally, since the procedure comprises a complex translational movement, fixed investment costs are expected to be very high especially for production of multiple interlayer RTPs requiring multiplied winding systems. Or the labor costs are expected to be high by multiple passing the pipe through the system. Also labor safety is an issue since the winding system having protruding rotary parts can cause injuries at manually arranging the winding angle of the strip. Yet, it is necessary to overcome the abovementioned problems in continuous winding of a strip onto lateral surface of longitudinal objects such as pipes.

Objects of the Invention Primary object of the present invention is to eliminate the above-mentioned shortcomings in the prior art.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a high-accuracy, compact and low-cost system for continuous strip winding onto lateral surface of longitudinal objects such as pipes, and to further provide a related method.

Brief Description of the Invention The present invention proposes a system for continuous and uninterrupted winding of a strip onto lateral surface of a longitudinal object, comprising a reel configured to partially enclose a longitudinal object to be wound, and to provide a passage to the longitudinal object at a longitudinal movement relative to the reel, said movement being along longitudinal axis of a longitudinal object; the reel being rotatable around a rotation axis and comprising a set of free rollers distributed around the reel, the set being configured to slidably bear and spool a strip around the reel; and an opening for serving as a strip passage from around the set towards a central portion of the reel. The present invention further proposes a related method. Brief Explanation of the Figures

The figures brief explanation of which are herewith provided is solely intended for providing a better understanding of the present invention and are as such not intended to define the scope of protection or the context in which said scope is to be interpreted in the absence of the description.

Figure 1 represents a schematic front view of a system according to the present invention. Figure 2 represent schematic views of alternative deflector embodiments employable in a system and method according to the present invention, wherein the deflector has mainly the geometry of (a) frustum of cone, (b) frustum of pyramid, (c) cone, (d) pyramid; and (e) shows another alternative deflector embodiment having a side provided with rollers. Figure 3 represents an example for the system according to the present invention for winding multiple stripes onto a longitudinal object (stripes not shown). Figure 4 shows an exemplary side view of a system according to the present invention, emphasizing the winding angle.

Figure 5 shows illustration of deflector function for (a) conical and (b) pyramidal deflectors used in the system according to the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

The present invention proposes a system for continuous winding of a strip (300) onto a lateral surface (201) of a longitudinal object (200), e.g. a cylindrical object such as pipe, comprising a reel (100) configured to, in operation, partially enclose a longitudinal object (200) to be wound, and to provide a passage thereto at a longitudinal movement relative to the reel (100), and the movement being along a longitudinal axis (202) of the longitudinal object (200); the reel (100) being rotatable around a rotation axis (110) and the reel comprises

- a set (1010) of free rolling rollers (101) distributed around the reel (100), the set (1010) being configured to slidably bear and spool a strip (300) around the reel, which strip is to be wound onto a longitudinal object; and

- an opening (102) configured to serve as a strip passage from around the set (1010) towards a central portion (1020) of the reel (100).

Exemplary drawing showing a system according to the present invention is provided in Fig. 1. With the system according to the present invention, strip (300) can be fed from a coil to the reel (100), around which a long portion of strip (300) can be continuously spooled in multiple rounds. Whilst a foremost portion of the strip is being continuously wound around a longitudinal object (200) after passing through a central portion (1020) of the reel (100), a long portion of strip (300) keeps continuously spooling around and born by the reel (100). When a coil of strip (300) ends, a backmost tip (310) of the strip (300) continues being visible and available to an operator. The set (1010) of free rolling rollers (101) configured to slidably bear and spool a long portion of strip (300) leaves a margin for uninterrupted winding of the strip (300) around the longitudinal object (200), which further provides a slack time to the operator until the strip (300) spooled around the reel (100) gets completely used up. The affixation of a foremost tip (311) of strip (300) from a subsequent (new) coil (315) to a backmost tip (310) of a used up coil of strip (300), can be performed by welding (e.g. using a heater (316)β) the backmost tip (310) with a foremost tip (311) of the subsequent strip coil, especially in case where the strip (300) comprises a thermoplastic. In operation, the spooled portion of the strip (300) around the reel (100) is fed towards the longitudinal object (200) from the inside (innermost round) of the spool rolled around the reel (100). The free rolling rollers (101) allow the spool slide and rotate around the reel (100) independent of the rotation thereof. This enables a decreased tension in the spooled strip (300) (i.e. a loosening in winding of the strip around the reel), and facilitates the affixation to be performed by an operator.

Hence, the backmost tip (310) can be caught by the operator and be affixed with a foremost tip (311) of a new coil (315), without interrupting the operation of the system, thus without interrupting the winding process. The affixing is schematically exemplified in Fig. 1.

This is especially useful in case where the longitudinal object (200) to be wound is supplied as a product of an on-site online extrusion process (e.g. a pipe extrusion process). The longitudinal object (200) is continuously fed through the central portion (1020) of the reel (100), which rotates as strip (300) being wound around the longitudinal object (200) upon passing the central portion (1020) of the reel (100). The reel (100) can be positioned on a certain point with respect to the ground, without necessitating any translational movement such as following the longitudinal object (200) in its downstream direction (2021). Here, the downstream direction (2021) for a longitudinal object (200) is a direction of translational movement of the longitudinal object (200) fed through the reel (100), and accordingly an opposite direction can be called as upstream direction, e.g. a direction towards an extruder forming the longitudinal object (200). Preferably, the reel (100) further comprises a tensor (103) at a central portion (1020) configured to stretch and guide the strip (300) towards a deflector (104) having a contact surface (1040) which is configured to support and guide the strip (300) towards a longitudinal object (200) by changing an approaching angle of the strip (300) into a winding angle (β) between the stripe (300) and a projection of the longitudinal axis (202) of the longitudinal object (200) on a corresponding lateral surface (201) of the longitudinal object (200). The tensor (103) and deflector (104) can be fixed on the reel (100), such that in operation, when the reel (100) rotates, they move along with the reel (100) accordingly. Fig.4 provides an illustration exemplifying the angular effect of the deflector, wherein the winding angle (β) is emphasized.

Preferably, the rotation axis (110) of the reel (100) is parallel to the longitudinal axis (202) of the longitudinal object. This facilitates maintaining a stable arrangement of approach angle of the strip (300) towards the longitudinal object (200) to be wound. More preferably, the rotation axis (110) of the reel (100) is identical to the longitudinal axis (202) of the longitudinal object (200). In this case, the reel (100) and the longitudinal object (200) are mainly or completely coaxial. This facilitates maintaining a stable tension on the strip (300) and minimizes irregularities on the final product (e.g. a wound strip layer on a pipe).

In a preferred embodiment of the system according to the present invention, the contact surface (1040) of the deflector (104) has a first portion (1041) for supporting a first edge (301) of a strip (300), and a second portion (1042) larger than the first portion (1041) for supporting a second edge (302) of the strip (300), such that the length of a portion (3021) of the second edge (302) in contact with the second portion (1042) of the deflector (104) is larger than the length of a portion (3011) of the first edge (301) in contact with the first portion (1041) of the deflector (104). More preferably, the second edge (302) is located in a downstream direction (2021) of the longitudinal object (200) with respect to the reel (100), compared to the location of the first edge (301). The first and second portions of various deflector embodiments are schematically shown in Figs. 2(a)-(e). Geometric illustration of the deflection in cases of conical and pyramidal deflectors, are exemplified in Fig. 5. The deflector (104) can mainly have preferably a conical (Fig. 2(c)) or frusto-conical geometry (Fig. 2(a)); more preferably having the shape of right circular cone, or frustum of a right circular cone. Alternatively, the deflector (104) can have a pyramidal (Fig. 2(d)) or frusto-pyramidal (Fig. 2(b)) geometry.

In case of pyramidal or frusto-pyramidal geometry of the deflector (104), the cross- section of the pyramid or frusto-pyramid is a polygon having preferably five or more angles, more preferably eight or more angles for a deflection behavior similar to that of conical or frusto-conical geometry.

The deflector (104) is preferably freely rotatable around a deflector axis (1045) such that, in operation, the contact surface (1040) of the deflector (104) generally follows (or accompanies due to friction between the strip (300) and the contact surface (1040)) the strip (300) passing (or sliding, progressing) via the contact surface (1040).

In another embodiment schematically exemplified in Fig. 2(e), the deflector (104) has a side provided with one or more roller(s) (1045), and in operation, lateral surface of the rollers can be considered (i.e. serve) as contact surface (1040) for a strip (300) to be deflected.

Another aspect of the present application is proposing the use of a deflector (104) according to abovementioned alternatives in a system and process of continuous strip (300) winding onto a lateral surface (201) of a longitudinal object (200).

The present invention further proposes a method of continuous winding a strip (300) onto a lateral surface (201) of a longitudinal object (200), e.g. a cylindrical object such as pipe, comprising the following steps: longitudinally feeding of a longitudinal object (200) to be wound with a strip (300), through a central portion (1020) of a reel (100) rotatable around a rotation axis (110), said reel (100) having a set (1010) of free rollers (101) distributed around it, wrapping (rolling) and thus preferably spooling a strip (300) around the free rollers (101), whereby an innermost portion of the strip (300) being passed through an opening (102) serving as a strip passage in vicinity of a free roller (101), towards the longitudinal object (200) to be wound therewith.

The method can also be considered as an improved method for continuous tape laying. Preferably, the method further comprises stretching and guiding the strip (300) by a tensor (103) located at a central portion (1020) of the reel (100), towards a deflector (104), upon passing through the opening (102). This version of method further comprises supporting and guiding the strip (300) by the deflector (104) by changing an approaching angle of the strip into a winding angle (β) between the strip (300) and a projection of the longitudinal axis (202) of the longitudinal object (200) on the lateral surface (201) of the longitudinal object (200). The deflector (104) is preferably freely rotatable around a deflector axis (1045) such that, in operation, a contact surface (1040) of the deflector (104) generally follows the strip passing via the contact surface (1040). Preferably, the rotation axis (110) of the reel (100) is parallel, preferably identical to a longitudinal axis (202) of the longitudinal object (200). In case where the rotation axis (110) of the reel (100) and longitudinal axis (202) of the longitudinal object (200) are identical, the reel (100) and the longitudinal object (200) can be considered to be coaxial with each other.

The system according to the present invention can be arranged for winding of multiple layers of strip onto a longitudinal object. In such case, the system further comprises a second reel (lOO⁷) according to the present invention, to be positioned in a downstream direction (2021) of a longitudinal object motion with respect to the reel (100) (which is a first reel according to the present invention). For obtainment of opposite winding directions for subsequent layers of strip, said second reel (100') is to be configured to rotate in a reverse direction with respect to that of the (first) reel (100), such that, in operation, a second strip (3000 can be wound onto a longitudinal object (200), in a circumferential direction opposite with respect to that of a (first) strip (300).

The system and method can also improve any process which include continuous strip winding around a cylindrical body, such as in cardboard tube production. Thus, the below objects are achieved by the composite structure according to the present invention and the proposed method for obtainment thereof:

- The above-mentioned shortcomings in the prior art are eliminated,

- a high-accuracy, compact and low-cost system for continuous strip winding onto lateral surface of longitudinal objects such as pipes, and a related method, are provided.

Claims

1. A system for continuous winding of a strip (300) onto lateral surface (201) of a longitudinal object (200), comprising a reel (100) configured to, in operation, partially enclose a longitudinal object (200) to be wound, and to provide a passage to the longitudinal object (200) at a longitudinal movement relative to the reel (100), said movement being along a longitudinal axis (202) of a longitudinal object (200); the reel (100) being rotatable around a rotation axis (110); and the reel comprises

- a set (1010) of free rollers (101) distributed around the reel (100), the set (1010) being configured to slidably bear and spool a strip (300) around the reel (100); and

2. System according to the claim 1, wherein the reel (100) further comprises a tensor (103) at a central portion (1020) configured to stretch and guide a strip (300) towards a deflector (104) having a contact surface (1040) configured to support and guide the strip (300) towards a longitudinal object (200) by changing an approaching angle of the strip (300) into a winding angle (β) between the stripe (300) and a projection of the longitudinal axis (202) of the longitudinal object (200) on the lateral surface (201) of the longitudinal object (200).

3. System according to the claim 2, wherein the deflector (104) is preferably freely rotatable around a deflector axis (1045).

4. System according to any of the claims 2 or 3, wherein the deflector (104) mainly has a conical or frusto-conical geometry, preferably having the shape of a right circular cone, or a frustum of a right circular cone.

5. System according to any of the claims 2 or 3, wherein the deflector (104) mainly has a pyramidal, or frusto-pyramidal geometry; preferably the cross-section of the pyramid or frusto-pyramid is a polygon having five or more angles, more preferably eight or more angles.

6. System according to any of the claims 2 or 3, wherein the deflector (104) has a side provided with one or more roller(s) (1045), in operation, lateral surface of said roller(s) serving as contact surface (1040) for a strip (300) to be deflected.

7. System according to any of the claims 1 to 6, wherein the rotation axis (110) of the reel (100) is parallel, preferably identical to the longitudinal axis (202) of the longitudinal object (200).

8. System according to any of the claims 2 to 7, wherein the contact surface (1040) of the deflector (104) has a first portion (1041) for supporting a first edge (301) of a strip (300), and a second portion (1042) larger than the first portion (1041) for supporting a second edge (302) of the strip (300), such that the length of a portion (3021) of the second edge (302) in contact with the second portion (1042) of the deflector (104) is larger than the length of a portion (3011) of the first edge (301) in contact with the first portion (1041) of the deflector (104).

9. System according to any of the claims 1 to 8, comprising a second reel (100') according to any of the claims 1 to 8, to be positioned in a downstream direction (2021) of a longitudinal object motion with respect to the reel (100), said second reel (100') being configured to rotate in a reverse direction with respect to that of the reel (100), such that, in operation, a second strip (300') can be wound onto a longitudinal object (200), in a circumferential direction opposite with respect to that of the strip (300).

10. A method for continuous winding of a strip (300) onto lateral surface (201) of a longitudinal object (200), comprising the following steps:

- longitudinally feeding of a longitudinal object (200) to be wound with a strip (300), through a central portion (1020) of a reel (100) rotatable around a rotation axis (110), said reel (100) having a set (1010) of free rollers (101) distributed around it, - rolling and thus preferably spooling a strip (300) around the free rollers (101), whereby an innermost portion of the strip (300) being passed through an opening (102) serving as a strip passage in vicinity of a free roller (101), towards the longitudinal object (200) to be wound therewith.

11. Method according to the claim 10, comprising stretching and guiding the strip (300) by a tensor (103) located at a central portion (1020) of the reel (100), towards a deflector (104), upon passing through the opening (102); and supporting and guiding the strip (300) by the deflector (104) by changing an approaching angle of the strip into a winding angle (β) between the strip (300) and a projection of the longitudinal axis (202) of the longitudinal object (200) on the lateral surface (201) of the longitudinal object (200); the deflector (104) preferably being freely rotatable around a deflector axis (1045) such that, in operation, a contact surface (1040) of the deflector (104) generally follows the strip passing via the contact surface (1040).

12. Method according to any of the claims 10 or 11, wherein the rotation axis (110) of the reel (100) is parallel, preferably identical to a longitudinal axis (202) of the longitudinal object (200).

13. Method according to any of the claims 10 to 12, wherein the deflector (104) mainly has a conical or frusto-conical geometry.

14. Method according to any of the claims 10 to 12, wherein the deflector (104) mainly has a pyramidal, or frusto-pyramidal geometry.

15. Method according to any of the claims 10 to 12, wherein the deflector (104) has a side provided with one or more roller(s) (1045), in operation, lateral surface of said roller(s) serving as contact surface (1040) for a strip (300) to be deflected.