Cleaning and liquid contact with solids – Processes – Hollow work – internal surface treatment
Reexamination Certificate
1999-11-12
2001-11-06
Coe, Philip R. (Department: 1746)
Cleaning and liquid contact with solids
Processes
Hollow work, internal surface treatment
C134S104200, C134S113000, C134S133000, C134S16900A
Reexamination Certificate
active
06311703
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a scarf flushing apparatus used to clean debris from the inside of tubular products, such as metal tubes and pipes. More specifically, this invention can be used to remove scarf and other debris from the inside of metal tubes and pipes after welding the longitudinal seam of the tube during fabrication thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In the art of making tubular metal products such as tubes and pipes (hereinafter tubes and pipes will be used interchangeably), one of the processes begins with a sheet or strip of metal. The metal is rolled in such a way to form a desired tube diameter. Then the longitudinal seam of the tube is welded closed. However, the welded seam does not produce a uniform tube wall thickness, and the tube may undergo a process to remove the excess metal from the weld. The debris that results from this removal, commonly referred to as “scarf,” often remains in the interior of the tubular product and is undesirable to the consumer for various safety and quality control reasons.
Various operations are available to remove the scarf and debris from the inside of tubes. Generally, pressurized water is forced through the tube to remove the scarf. However, in order for the water to properly flush the tube, a pump is needed to generate a high velocity fluid flow. Pumps and valves used in these operations often experience undue wear caused by differentiating pressures in the system and the “on” and “off” cycling of the pump as the flushing operation is repeated as a plurality of tubes are sequentially advanced through the operation. Of course, cycling the pump “on” and “off” repeatedly lessens the pump's performance and life and causes an effect known as water hammering. Water hammering will result when fluid flow is abruptly stopped, for instance, by a closed valve. The energy in the fluid has no where to go and, therefore, reverberates throughout the system. The energy can damage valves and pumps in fluid flow operations to such an extent that replacement is often required.
The preferred flushing system would operate so that the pump runs continuously and is not subject to intermittent activity. The desired flushing apparatus would also have pressure regulation so that the pressure in the system would be substantially equal throughout the flushing operation and cycling thereof.
Art in the field is directed to processes and apparatuses used in removing scarf and other unwanted materials from the inside of tubular products. However, there is nothing in the art directed to optimizing pump utilization and eliminating water hammering by maintaining continuous fluid flow at substantially constant pressure throughout the system, despite repeated flushing cycles, as with the instant invention. As a result, this invention prolongs the life of a scarf flushing apparatus by eliminating water hammering.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an apparatus for removing scarf and debris from the inside of tubes, satisfying the need to minimize waste of the working fluid, maintaining the life of the working pump and eliminating water hammering. This is accomplished through continual flow of the working fluid through the apparatus by diverting the flow to a bypass line when a tube is being indexed in and out of the flushing operation, and by maintaining substantially constant pressures throughout the fluid flow system thereof.
This invention comprises a frame affixed to a base and a fluid flow system attached to the frame. The fluid flow system has a fluid control mechanism. The working fluid is continuously circulated throughout the fluid flow system by the flow control mechanism. The invention further comprises a reservoir to contain the working fluid. The reservoir has a catching enclosure or drain system to collect the working fluid after it passes through the tube being flushed. The working fluid can be a mill coolant or any other fluid suitable for flushing tubes.
The working fluid is pumped out of the reservoir to a spray nozzle. The working fluid is then dispensed through the nozzle and in and through the unclean tube positioned in front of the nozzle. The tube is positioned in front of the nozzle by a tube transfer mechanism. The working fluid enters the tube at a proper volume, velocity and spray pattern to clean any scarf, oil or other debris. To vary the volume, velocity and spray pattern of the working fluid for different lengths and diameters of tubes, the nozzle is interchangeable. The working fluid, along with the debris, exits the tube at its distal end and enters the reservoir for recycling thereof.
Once a tube is flushed, it leaves the transfer station and a new tube is indexed into position. During this sequence, the tube transfer mechanism, communicating with a flow control mechanism, operates to close the output valve to the nozzle and diverts the working fluid to a bypass line which re-directs the working fluid directly back into the reservoir. When the next tube is indexed properly in front of the spray nozzle, the flow control mechanism is activated, closing the bypass valve and opening the output valve to once again pass the working fluid through the nozzle and into the newly positioned tube. The function of the flow control mechanism is such that the pump will be cycling working fluid through the system continuously, thus eliminating water hammering and maintaining the pump's life and performance without wasting fluid.
To maintain a relatively constant pressure in the fluid flow system, a pressure gauge communicates with the outlet side of the pump. Further, a regulating valve is located on the bypass side of the flow system. Once the system is operating, the regulating valve is adjusted so that the pressure is substantially equal on the bypass line and output line of the flow system. By maintaining substantially equal pressure therein, water hammering and unnecessary wear and tear on the pump is eliminated.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a scarf flushing apparatus that is capable of flushing pipe or other tubular products while maintaining continuous flow throughout the system to eliminate water hammering using a flow control mechanism to divert fluid flow back to a reservoir when the tubular product is not positioned properly in front of the spray nozzle at the transfer station.
Another objective of the present invention is to provide a scarf flushing apparatus that allows pressure regulation throughout the system so as to eliminate water hammering and prolong the life and performance of a pump.
Still another objective of the present invention is to provide a scarf flushing apparatus that recycles and reuses the working fluid without unnecessary and unwanted waste.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims.
REFERENCES:
patent: 1984771 (1934-12-01), Speller
patent: 2189339 (1940-02-01), Black et al.
patent: 3765050 (1973-10-01), Van Allman et al.
patent: 3850692 (1974-11-01), Van Allman et al.
patent: 4863555 (1989-09-01), John, Jr. et al.
patent: 5680877 (1997-10-01), Edstrand et al.
patent: 6035870 (2000-03-01), Monch
Shafer Richard L.
Webster Keith B.
Buckeye Manufacturing, Inc.
Coe Philip R.
Herberger Robert J.
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