FRICTION LINEAR GUIDE RAIL ASSEMBLY FOR BOILER TUBE CUTTING APPARATUS

CROSS REFERENCE

[0001] This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S. C. § 119 of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/526,524 filed on December 3, 2003.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The invention is directed to an apparatus for cutting boiler tube walls such as are common at power generating stations. More specifically, the present invention relates to an assembly for securing a cutting device in order to perform a cutting operation on a tube wall section. In a preferred embodiment, the cutting device can be releasably secured at various portions along a fixed plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the tubes of the tube wall.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0003] Power generating or other plants circulate fluids, such as water or steam, through tubes or banks of tubes. The fluid is often heated and used, for example, to drive turbines which generate electricity.

[0004] The tubes are generally arranged in large panels or banks of parallel tubes which are connected together with a metal membrane or web continuously interposed between each pair of adjacent tubes in the bank to form a tube wall. The tubes generally have an outer diameter which can range from about 1 inch up to about 3 inches, with a wall thickness which can be up to about 0.5 inch. On account of deterioration due to corrosion and the like, the tubes occasionally require replacement. Ordinarily, repair of damaged or worn tubing involves cutting and removal of relatively large sections of the tube banks, and replacement with a new panel of tubes. The bank sections are generally replaced in large rectangular sections typically having sizes ranging from a few feet to 10, 20, 100 or even 200 feet in length.

[0005] Tube wall sections are generally removed by using either hand held tools such as motor driven saws or cutting torches, or more desirably by using various track mounted cutting apparatuses.

[0006] A portable tube cutting apparatus having a vice-like fastener for supporting the apparatus from a stationary object, such as the tube which is to be cut, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,199,221. The disclosed apparatus can be used to cut the tube which supports the apparatus as well as other adjacent tubes in close proximity.

[0007] A track mounted cutting apparatus is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,582,538. The portable tube cutting apparatus which facilitates smooth, even cuts through a boiler tube wall includes a frame supporting a movable carriage adapted for movement in a linear direction relative to a frame which has articulated support means for securing the device to a boiler tube wall.

[0008] These prior art devices have utilized various means for securement of the carriage against the boiler tube wall to prevent lateral movement of the cutting apparatus once the position at which cutting will proceed has been achieved. The devices have an inherent drawback, however, in that they require some form of brake mechanism in addition to the other components of the pipe cutting assembly.

[0009] It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a securement mechanism which prevents the lateral movement of a pipe cutting assembly along a tube wall without the necessity of additional mechanical brake components to the apparatus.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0010] The present invention provides a friction guide rail assembly for securement of a pipe cutting assembly to a fixed point on a tube wall while allowing lateral repositioning of the cutting device relative to the tube wall. The assembly includes a double guide rail having a convex surface along which a carriage having a cutting

device may be fixedly positioned by mating engagement of a concave surface of the carriage with the convex surface of the guide rail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0011] The preferred embodiment of the invention, illustrative of the best mode which applicants have contemplated, is set forth in the following description and is shown in the drawings and is particularly and distinctly pointed out and set forth in the appended claims.

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of a linear guide rail assembly in accordance with the present invention connected to a wall of a tube bank.

Fig. 2 is a reduced front elevational view of a linear guide rail with a portion broken away to better show parallel guide channels formed in the rail.

Fig. 2A is an exploded end view, in cross-section, showing the elements which comprise an operational linear guide rail.

Fig. 3 is a front elevational view of a carriage base member as may be applied to position a tool with respect to the linear guide rail for operation therewith.

Fig. 4 is an elevational view of a support bar, a pair of which are mounted to the back surface of the carriage base member shown in Fig. 3.

Fig. 4A is a right end elevational view of the support bar shown in Fig. 4.

Fig. 5 is an elevational view, in cross-section, of a guide block member at least four of which are carried by the pair of support bars.

Fig. 5A is a left end elevational view of the guide block member shown in Fig. 5.

Fig. 6 is an elevational view of a hinge bracket which provides attachment of a tool to the carriage base member via a hinge lug and hinge pin for horizontal rotational motion of the tool, the hinge lug and pin being shown in Figs. 1 and 8.

Fig. 7 is a top view of a hinge lug which mounts a hinge pin to the bracket shown in Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is an end elevational view as may be taken from a left end vantage with respect to Fig. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0012] This description of preferred embodiments is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are part of the entire written description of this invention. In the description, corresponding reference numbers are used throughout to identify the same or functionally similar elements. Relative terms such as "horizontal", "vertical", "up", "down", "top", and "bottom" as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., "horizontally", "downwardly", "upwardly", etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing figure under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and are not intended to require a particular orientation unless specifically stated as such.

[0013] The friction linear guide rail assembly of the present invention is generally metallic, and useful metals include, but are not limited to, steel, nickel, stainless steel, and aluminum, as well as valve metals, including titanium, tantalum, zirconium and niobium, or combinations thereof. The guide rail 12 and guide blocks 60, as well as the support bar 50 and hinge bracket 76, will most always be heat treated steel, while it is preferred that the carriage base 14 be aluminum. As well as the normally available elemental metals themselves, the suitable metals of the guide rail 12 and linear guide blocks 60 can include metal alloys and intermetallic mixtures which are capable of resisting wear. For example, steel may be alloyed with nickel, cobalt, iron, manganese or copper. Plastic materials, preferably thermoset materials, can alternatively be utilized in some embodiments, if desired.

[0014] There is shown in FIG. 1 a portion of a bank of boiler tubes 10 that includes a preferably rectangular panel of tubes that is to be replaced. The boiler tube wall 10 is comprised of a row of parallel, typically vertically oriented tubes 11 , each of which is continuously connected to an adjacent tube by a web or membrane 13. In some embodiments, the webbing may be absent. The tubes 11 and membranes 13 are generally formed separately of metal or alloy such as steel and then welded together. Repair of boiler tube walls generally involves cutting out a section of the tube wall which is worn or damaged, chamfering or beveling the tube ends which have been

exposed by removal of the worn or damaged section of tube wall, and welding a new or replacement section of tube wall in place of the damaged section which has been removed. The damaged section of tube wall is usually removed by making two horizontally spaced cuts transverse to the longitudinal direction of the tubes 11 and two vertically spaced cuts, which together with the horizontal cuts defining a rectangular section which is to be replaced.

[0015] Mounted on the bank of tubes 10 is an elongated guide rail 12. The guide rail 12 is generally from about 3 feet to about 8 feet in length, and preferably about 6 feet. In some embodiments, multiple sections, i.e. two or more, of guide rails 12 are joined by a suitable rail coupler to enable cutting of longer sections of a tube wall. The horizontally arranged guide rail 12 is suitably secured to the tube bank 10 by means of weld tabs 15 which are connected preferably to a back side of the rail via welding or a fastener, etc. The weld tabs 15 preferably consist of a solid piece of metal, generally steel, measuring about Yλ'X 2" x 7" which is tack welded to the boiler tube bank 10. The guide rail assembly 12 includes a carriage 14 which is supported on said guide rail 12 and movable along guide rail 12, generally in a horizontal or axial direction aiong the longitudinal axis of the guide rail 12. The carriage has a cutting device 90 operatively connected thereto and this allows for horizontal movement of the cutting device 90 relative to guide rail 12. The carriage 14 allows for rotational movement of the cutting device 90 relative thereto in a horizontal plane perpendicular to the axial direction of the tubes 10 in the tube bank.

[0016] As shown in Fig. 2, the guide rail 12 includes two parallel steel, preferably 12 mm diameter, rail shafts 16 (Fig. 2A) which are secured in extruded aluminum channels 18 of about 25 mm high. The shafts 16 project outwardly from the aluminum channels 18, thereby providing a surface, i.e. track, operatively connecting guide rail 12 to carriage assembly 14. The shape of the guide rail track is substantially convex as shown in Fig. 2A, owing to the profile of rail shaft 16. Additional track shapes can be used in other embodiments, such as square, triangular, oblong, etc. The shafts 16 are secured in parallel by steel spacers 20 inserted into the extruded aluminum

channels at a distance of about 50 mm along guide rail 12 and secured by mounting screws 22 to the channel. The spacers will generally be present in an amount of from about 20 to about 50 per rail section. The channel acts as a frame and holds the components together, with the opposing rails fixed substantially parallel to each other. Such a guide rail 12 is available commercially from Tusk Direct of Bethel, Connecticut.

[0017] The carriage 14 (Fig. 3) includes an essentially square base 56 and a pair of depending side members 57 which are laterally disposed adjacent opposite sides of guide rail 12 and form a U-shaped notch 43 at one end of carriage base 56. Carriage base 56 includes two pairs of internally threaded cylindrical bores 40a, 40b which align with bores 73a, 73b of hinge lug 77 (Fig. 7) and accept means for attachment of hinge lug 77 to carriage base 56. Such attachment means can include socket head cap screws, bolts and the like.

[0018] A hinge lug 77 is depicted in Fig. 7. Hinge lug 77 includes a neck portion 79 which extends downwardly to shoulders 76a, 76b and a substantially flat base 84 which is connected to carriage base 56 as shown in Fig. 8. Hinge lug 77 includes a cylindrical bore aperture 80 and openings 73a, 73b. Hinge lug is preferably secured to carriage 14 by socket head cap screws as previously described. Openings 75 accept means for securement, including pins, screws, or bolts, and the like, of lug bolt in place in cylindrical bore 78.

[0019] Extending from carriage 14 is a hinge bracket 76 (Fig. 6) which is operatively and moveably mounted to carriage 14 through a lug bolt 81 connected between hinge lugs 77 (Fig. 7). The hinge bracket 76 rotates axially around the center portion of bore aperture 80 to produce a desired cutting motion with the cutting device 90 as described herein. Extending along a length of hinge bracket 76 is a raised rib 71 which cooperates with U-shaped notch 43 of carriage base 56 to allow for forward movement and thus greater range of motion of hinge bracket 76 toward guide rail 12. Bracket 76 further includes a cylindrical bore 78 which aligns with aperture 80 of hinge lug 77. The lug bolt passes through cylindrical bore aperture 80 and cylindrical bore

78 to operatively secure hinge bracket 76 to hinge lug 77 to carriage 14. On end opposite cylindrical bore 78, bracket 76 comprises a cutting device connecting element, preferably two pairs of screw apertures 82a, 82b for securing the cutting device 90 comprising a pneumatic motor 91 with pneumatic connector 94, handle 96, and cutting blade 92, generally a circular chop saw, thereon.

[0020] In Fig. 4 there is shown support bar 50. The support bar 50 is essentially L- shaped, having a top portion 52 which extends a greater width than bottom portion 54 with respect to an axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of bar 50, as shown in Fig. 4a. Support bar top 52 and side 54 includes apertures 59a, 59b, and 58a, 58b, respectively. Two support bars 50 are provided such that support bar 50 is mounted to each upper and lower portion of carriage base 56 of carriage 14 as shown in Fig. 8. Each support bar 50 is mounted to carriage base 56 by alignment of apertures 42a, b, c, d of carriage base 56 with apertures 58a, 58b of support bar 50. Upper support bar 50 of carriage 14 which is disposed on upper edge of guide rail 12 is preferably fixed in place, while lower support bar 50 is disposed on lower edge of guide rail 12 and is preferably vertically adjustable such as by using a slotted connection in relation to carriage base 56 and thus guide rail 12, in order to allow for adjustment of engagement of linear guide block 60 with a respective guide rat! shaft 16.

[0021] The carriage 14 is provided with a plurality of guide blocks 60 (Fig. 3) which are adapted to engage the upper and lower edges of guide rail 12 along the rail shafts 16 to allow for movement of the carriage 14 along the guide rail 12. Thus, the carriage assembly 14 is free of wheels or other rotating means, and instead glides or slides along the guide rail 12 in a non-cutting position.

[0022] Referring to Fig. 5, the linear guide blocks 60 are generally spool-shaped and include an inner concave waist 62 which extends outwardly to a first flange 64 and a second flange 66, with the waist 62 extending around three sides of the first 64 and second 66 flanges and terminating in a flat top 68. Aperture 70 extends through first 64 and second 66 flanges. Aperture 70 (Fig. 5a) comprises an outer diameter 72 and

a smaller inner diameter 74. Linear guide blocks 60 are fastened to side members 57 of carriage base 56 through support bar 50, preferably by means of socket head cap screws received in aperture 70 which then thread into support bar 50 at apertures 59a, 59b.

[0023] In Fig. 8 there is shown the linear guide rail assembly 90 with guide rail 12, carriage 14 and hinge bracket 76. In operation, carriage 14 is mounted on rail 12 by sliding linear guide blocks 60 onto rail shafts 16 from one end of the rail. Guide blocks 60 and waists 62 slidably move, preferably in a horizontal direction, along rail shaft 16 in a movement position with cutting device being supported and exerting little or no downward pressure on bracket 76 or carriage 14.

[0024] The carriage 14 can be locked in a cutting position to perform a cutting operation with the cutting device. In a first step, the carriage 14 is moved to a desired location along guide rail 12 with the cutting device 90 exerting substantially no force on the hinge bracket 76 or carriage 14. At the desired cutting location, the source of support for the cutting device 90, such as through handle 96, and/or hinge bracket 76 is removed. The guide blocks 60 are thereby pressed firmly and securely against guide rail 12 due at least in part to the weight of the cutting device 90, especially the convex shafts 16 thereof, locking the carriage 14 in relation to the guide rail 12. The carriage 14 is locked such that the movement of the carriage 14 in a horizontal direction along the guide rail 12 is substantially prevented.

[0025] A cutting operation can then be performed using the cutting device 90. In one embodiment, a preferred cutting device 90 is a chop saw such as available from H&S Tool, Wadsworth, Ohio as Model TS400. With the carriage 14 locked in place by the weight of the cutting device 90, the motor thereof is activated. The cutting device 90 is then moved towards the tube bank 10. As the cutting device 90 is connected to hinge bracket 76, the cutting device 90 moves in a radial direction with respect to center point of bore aperture 80. The cutting device 90 is allowed to contact the tube bank 10 and cut the same to a predetermined depth, preferably completely through at

least one portion of the tube bank 10. Afterwards, the cutting device 90 is backed away from the tube bank 10 and deactivated for repositioning. The cutting device 90 and hinge bracket 76 are then lifted or supported to remove pressure from the guide blocks 60 and the carriage 14 is moved in a horizontal direction along guide rail 12 a predetermined distance to a second position where it is desired that a subsequent cut be placed in the tube bank 10. The operation is continued until the desired cuts have been placed in the tube bank 10.

[0026] Owing to the weight of the cutting device 90, which creates a cantilever effect, carriage 14 is held securely in place during a cutting operation by constant engagement of the inner concave waist 62 of the linear guide blocks 60 with the convex surface of the guide rail 12, thereby negating the necessity for an additional mechanical part or brake for braking or locking of the carriage 14 on the rail 12. The aperture of the present invention is free of a mechanical brake, such a brake comprising a shoe or pad, which locks the carriage to the guide rail 12. Thus, a friction fit between the shaft 16 of guide rail 12 and guide blocks 60 of the carriage 14 substantially prevents movement of the carriage 14 on the rail 12.

[0027] It is noted that the carriage assembly 14 with cutting device 90 will generally be pre-assembled as a single unit, excluding the guide raii 12, so that an operator need only slide the carriage assembly 14 onto the guide rail 12 in order to utilize the assembly to ¹ aid in a cutting operation.

[0028] While in accordance with the patent statutes the best mode and preferred embodiment have been set forth, the scope of the invention is not limited thereto, but rather by the scope of the attached claims.