Tube fin removal robot
First Claim
1. A method for cutting fins from the pipes carrying fins, each with its fins forming a structure lying in a plurality of spaced apart rows of such structures, each of the structures extending in a longitudinal direction which is substantially transverse to the spacing between the rows of structures, the method comprising the steps of:
- rolling a guide roller, mounted to a carriage, against a first one of the structures in a first one of the rows;
rolling at least one pressure wheel mounted to the carriage, against a second one of the structures in an adjacent second one of the rows which is spaced from the first one of the rows;
supporting the carriage between the first and second rows;
pressing the guide wheel against the first structure when the carriage is between the first and second rows of structures;
rotating at least one guide roller and the pressure wheel and moving the carriage in the longitudinal direction between the first and second rows;
cutting one of the fins of one of the first and second structures with a cutting head while moving the carriage in the longitudinal direction.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A robot drive for cutting fins having pipes extending on opposite sides therefrom, with the pipes laying in parallel spaced apart rows, comprises a carriage which can move in the longitudinal direction between rows of the pipes. A pair of driven guide rollers is mounted to the carriage for rolling against the pipe of one of the rows. The carriage also carries four spring loaded pressure wheels which bear against the fins of the pipe in an adjacent row so as to press the carriage and guide rollers against the pipe on which the guide rollers roll. A pair of cutting torches or mechanical cutters are connected to the carriage on opposite sides of the guide rollers so that they can cut the fins of the pipes on which the guide rollers roll.
7 Citations
11 Claims
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1. A method for cutting fins from the pipes carrying fins, each with its fins forming a structure lying in a plurality of spaced apart rows of such structures, each of the structures extending in a longitudinal direction which is substantially transverse to the spacing between the rows of structures, the method comprising the steps of:
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rolling a guide roller, mounted to a carriage, against a first one of the structures in a first one of the rows; rolling at least one pressure wheel mounted to the carriage, against a second one of the structures in an adjacent second one of the rows which is spaced from the first one of the rows; supporting the carriage between the first and second rows; pressing the guide wheel against the first structure when the carriage is between the first and second rows of structures; rotating at least one guide roller and the pressure wheel and moving the carriage in the longitudinal direction between the first and second rows; cutting one of the fins of one of the first and second structures with a cutting head while moving the carriage in the longitudinal direction.
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2. A robot device for cutting fins from pipes carrying the fins, each pipe with its fin forming a structure lying in a plurality of spaced apart rows of such structures, each of the structures extending in a longitudinal direction which is substantially transverse to the spacing between the rows of structures, the robot devices comprising:
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a carriage; a guide roller mounted to said carriage and adapted to roll against a first one of the structures in a first one of the rows; at least one pressure wheel mounted to said carriage and adapted to roll against a second one of the structures in an adjacent second one of the rows which is supported between the first and second rows; biasing means connected to said pressure wheel against the second structure to press said guide wheel against the first structure when said carriage is between the first and second rows of structures; drive means connected to one of said roller and said pressure wheel to move said carriage in the longitudinal direction between the first and second rows; and
at least one cutting head connected to said carriage at a location for cutting one of the fins of one of the first and second structures while said carriage moves in the longitudinal direction. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification