Claims:WE CLAIM:

1. An equipment for non-circularity correction of pipes in any orientation (360°) comprises of
a hydraulic jack head [1] held in position by jack locking hub [9], wherein the jack head [1] is rotated by worm wheel drive handle [6] and a worm gear assembly [7] is placed in the drive shaft, in which the hand wheel rotation is transmitted through spindle shaft [11] which is housed inside spindle hub [5] and the jack head [1] is locked in position by spindle lock/brake [12].

2. The equipment as claimed in claim 1, wherein a counter weight [8] is placed at the rear side to balance the overhanging weight of the jack and jack holding hub.

3. The equipment as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein a plurality of wheels [10] are provided for mobility across the shop floor.

4. The equipment as claimed in claims 1-3, wherein multiple Lifting hooks [14] are provided for lifting in case required.

5. The equipment as claimed in claims 1-4, wherein the equipment is locked in position by the lifting screw rod [2] which is having a box nut [15] for smooth operation.

6. The equipment as claimed in claims 1-5, wherein a slider [3] is provided in between jack holding clamp and spindle in order to compensate the centre variation (pipe centre and jack centre) during non-circularity correction.

7. The equipment as claimed in claims 1-6, wherein the gear box rotates the hydraulic jack head [1] through the spindle by rotating the worm gearbox handle, in which the jack rotates freely along with the jack holding hub/clamp.
, Description:AN EQUIPMENT FOR NON-CIRCULARITY CORRECTION IN PIPES IN ANY ORIENTATION (360°)

FIELD OF INVENTION:
[001] The invention relates to an equipment for correcting non-circularity in pipes along any axis (360°) using hydraulics. This invention can be used to correct the non-circularity of straight as well as bend pipes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION/PRIOR ART:
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful in understanding the present invention. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed invention, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.

[003] In supercritical boilers, Pipes of alloy steel like SA335 P22, P91/P92 materials are used extensively for their better mechanical strength under higher temperatures up to 608 °C. Pipe bending process and subsequent heat treatment is critical in piping product manufacturing as it directly influences the cycle time of piping products. One of the major issues faced during the process is the NON-CIRCULARITY of pipes during heat treatment.

[004] Bending operation in pipes alters the mechanical properties of the material and induces stress concentration. Stress concentration is a condition in which high localized stress is induced due to change in shape of the element and this is higher than yield stress of that element. It leads to fracture, crack and failure of pipe. Hence, a pipe should undergo a heat treatment process before further processing. Heat treatment refines grain size, improves mechanical properties and machinability. But after heat treatment, the pipe face deviates from its circularity, the cross section of pipe is either elliptical or semi oval. This non-circularity issue in pipes holds the pipes for further processing as the pipes cannot be used as such. Hence it is very important to remove non-circularity.
PRIOR ART
[005] Reference may be made to the following patents:

• CN107214981 (CN)
[006] The invention discloses a method for segmented correction on non-circularity of a PE pipe(plastic) fittings and relates to PE pipe fitting production. The patent describes hot correction on non-circularity of the PE pipe fittings. The above patent is applicable for smaller PE pipe fittings and not for larger metallic pipe for industrial application.

• CN106092031 (CN)
[007] The invention discloses a circular cylinder barrel non-circularity automatic detection and correction machine. The mechanism corrects non-circularity in oil/hydraulic cylinders of smaller sizes and not for larger metallic pipe for industrial application.

• IN201831047640 (IN)
[008] The above patent discloses a non-circularity correction mechanism in pipes with the correction in a single axis. Pipe is to be rotated to correct the skewness in other orientations. In the new invention, the non-circularity correction head can rotate 360° to correct the skewness in any orientation.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION:
[009] It is therefore an object of present invention to propose an equipment for non-circularity correction in pipes in any orientation (360°), which is simple in construction and serves the purpose efficiently.

[0010] Another object of present invention is to propose a portable equipment which can be inserted into pipes which are not circular, and using hydraulic jack head, force is exerted to the inner walls of the pipe for regaining the circularity.
[0011] Yet another object of present invention is to propose a portable equipment which can be firmly fixed on the ground for safe non-circularity correction in pipes.

[0012] Yet another object of present invention is to propose an equipment which can correct non-circularity in any orientation of the pipe keeping the pipe stationary without any requirement for rotation.

[0013] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art after a consideration of the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which a preferred form of the present invention is illustrated.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
[0014] One or more drawbacks of conventional systems and process are overcome, and additional advantages are provided through the apparatus/composition and a method as claimed in the present disclosure. Additional features and advantages are realized through the technicalities of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered to be part of the claimed disclosure.

[0015] According to this invention, there is provided an equipment for non-circularity correction in pipes in any orientation using hydraulics which comprises of a hydraulic jack head [1] which is held in position by the jack locking hub [9] and articulated using the worm wheel drive handle [6]. For effortless operation a worm gear assembly [7] is placed in the drive shaft. The hand wheel rotation is transmitted through the spindle shaft [11] which is housed inside the spindle hub [5]. The jack head can be locked in position by the spindle lock or brake [12]. A counter weight [8] is placed at the rear side to balance the overhanging weight of the jack and jack holding hub.

[0016] Thus, the equipment is designed for non-circularity correction at any position of the pipe. This mechanism can be used to correct the non-circularity of straight pipes as well as bend pipes with less effort and minimum crane usage with enhanced safety features. This equipment is used to correct non-circularity of pipes in any axis without rolling, lifting or holding the pipe with crane.

[0017] Various objects, features, aspects, and advantages of the inventive subject matter will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments, along with the accompanying drawing figures in which like numerals represent like components.

[0018] It is to be understood that the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure described above may be used in any combination with each other. Several of the aspects and embodiments may be combined to form a further embodiment of the disclosure.

[0019] The foregoing summary is illustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. In addition to the illustrative aspects, embodiments, and features described above, further aspects, embodiments, and features will become apparent by reference to the drawings and the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS:
[0020] The illustrated embodiments of the subject matter will be best understood by reference to the drawings, wherein like parts are designated by like numerals throughout. The following description is intended only by way of example, and simply illustrates certain selected embodiments of devices, systems, and processes that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:-
Figure 1 shows the general arrangement of the equipment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows the equipment in position inside pipe according to the invention.
Figure 3 shows the actual picture of the equipment in accordance with the invention.
[0021] The figures depict embodiments of the disclosure for purposes of illustration only. One skilled in the art will readily recognize from the following description that alternative embodiments of the structures and methods illustrated herein may be employed without departing from the principles of the disclosure described herein.

DETAIL DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS:

[0022] While the embodiments of the disclosure are subject to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiment thereof have been shown by way of example in the figures and will be described below. It should be understood, however, that it is not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on the contrary, the disclosure is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternative falling within the scope of the disclosure.

[0023] The present invention makes a disclosure regarding a technology pertaining to an equipment for non-circularity correction in pipes in any orientation (360°).

[0024] Reference may be made to the accompanying figures showing the equipment of the invention. The equipment is designed with a base plate [13] over which the assembly is constructed. The main part of the equipment is the hydraulic jack head [1] which is held in position by the jack locking hub [9]. The jack head [1] can be rotated using the worm wheel drive handle [6]. For effortless operation a worm gear assembly [7] is placed in the drive shaft. The hand wheel rotation is transmitted through the spindle shaft [11] which is housed inside the spindle hub [5]. The jack head [1] can be locked in position by the spindle lock or brake [12]. A counter weight [8] is placed at the rear side to balance the overhanging weight of the jack and jack holding hub. Multiple wheels [10] are provided for mobility across the shop floor. A plurality of Lifting hooks [14] are also provided for lifting in case required. The equipment is locked in position by the lifting screw rod [2] which is having a box nut [15] for smooth operation.

[0025] Rotating the worm gearbox handle, the gear box rotates the hydraulic jack head through the spindle. The jack rotates freely along with the jack holding hub/clamp. A slider mechanism [3] is also provided in between jack holding clamp and spindle so as to compensate the centre variation (pipe centre and jack centre) during non-circularity correction.

WORKING OF THE INVENTION:
[0026] Initially the pipe is kept on the ground in a safe and firm position. Measurements are made on the pipe and the axes where non-circularity is there, marking is done. The equipment is moved using the wheels to position. The hydraulic jack head is then inserted into the pipe. The worm wheel handle is rotated to align the jack head to the required axis. The jack head position is then locked with the spindle brake. Pressure is exerted on the pipe on the inner walls using hydraulic power pack. Pipe diameter is then measured to check for circularity. If required, jack is operated again in the same axis or other axes. The hydraulic jack can be fixed at any angle (360°) and the pipe can be kept stationary.

ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION:
1. Mobile equipment for non-circularity correction in pipes in any orientation (360°) using hydraulics which comprises of wheels for free movement.

2. Mobile equipment for non-circularity correction in pipes which comprises of a hand wheel drive coupled through a worm gear assembly for easy rotation of jack and correction in any orientation of the pipe.

3. Equipment can be inserted into the pipe which are not circular, and using hydraulic jack head, force is exerted to the inner walls of the pipe for regaining the circularity.
4. Equipment can be fixed safely inside the pipe for non-circularity correction and the overhanging weight of the jack head and holding clamp is balanced by a counterweight.

5. Equipment can be firmly fixed on the ground using screw rods and box nuts for safe non-circularity correction in pipes.

6. Equipment can correct non-circularity in any orientation of the pipe keeping the pipe stationary without any requirement for rotation.

7. Equipment can be used for correcting non-circularity of pipes using a rotatable hydraulic jack head, which can be firmly locked inside the pipe using spindle brake.

TEST RESULT
• Non-circularity has been corrected for pipes as well as bends with the equipment.
• Non-circularity has been corrected for multiple axes for the same pipe by rotating the jack head.
• Productivity is more compared to existing method, since pipe rolling and holding is eliminated. Crane dependency also reduced due to this.
• The rotation of jack after inserting into pipe is smooth and easy due to the worm gear assembly.
• The equipment is sturdy and could be fixed firmly on the ground.

Reference Numerals

1 Hydraulic Jack
2 Lifting Screw Rod Hand Wheel
3 Slider
4 Lifting Screw Rod
5 Hub
6 Worm Wheel Drive Handle
7 Worm and Worm Gear Box
8 Counter Weight
9 Jack Locking Hub
10 Wheel
11 Spindle Shaft
12 Spindle Brake
13 Base Plate
14 Lifting Hook
15 Box Nut
16 Elevating Screws (4Nos)
17 Spindle
18 Jack Holder
19 Top Wedge Spacer
20 Pipe OD
21 Bottom Wedge Spacer

[0027] Each of the appended claims defines a separate invention, which for infringement purposes is recognized as including equivalents to the various elements or limitations specified in the claims. Depending on the context, all references below to the "invention" may in some cases refer to certain specific embodiments only. In other cases, it will be recognized that references to the "invention" will refer to subject matter recited in one or more, but not necessarily all, of the claims.
[0028] Groupings of alternative elements or embodiments of the invention disclosed herein are not to be construed as limitations. Each group member can be referred to and claimed individually or in any combination with other members of the group or other elements found herein. One or more members of a group can be included in, or deleted from, a group for reasons of convenience and/or patentability. When any such inclusion or deletion occurs, the specification is herein deemed to contain the group as modified thus fulfilling the written description of all groups used in the appended claims.

[0029] It will be understood by those within the art that, in general, terms used herein, and especially in the appended claims (e.g., bodies of the appended claims) are generally intended as “open” terms (e.g., the term “including” should be interpreted as “including but not limited to,” the term “having” should be interpreted as “having at least,” the term “includes” should be interpreted as “includes but is not limited to,” etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is intended, such an intent will be explicitly recited in the claim, and in the absence of such recitation no such intent is present. For example, as an aid to understanding, the following appended claims may contain usage of the introductory phrases “at least one” and “one or more” to introduce claim recitations. However, the use of such phrases should not be construed to imply that the introduction of a claim recitation by the indefinite articles “a” or “an” limits any particulars claim containing such introduced claim recitation to inventions containing only one such recitation, even when the same claim includes the introductory phrases “one or more” or “at least one” and indefinite articles such as “a” or “an” (e.g., “a” and/or “an” should typically be interpreted to mean “at least one” or “one or more”); the same holds true for the use of definite articles used to introduce claim recitations. In addition, even if a specific number of an introduced claim recitation is explicitly recited, those skilled in the art will recognize that such recitation should typically be interpreted to mean at least the recited number (e.g., the bare recitation of “two recitations,” without other modifiers, typically means at least two recitations, or two or more recitations). Furthermore, in those instances where a convention analogues to “at least one of A, B and C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B and C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). In those instances where a convention analogous to “at least one of A, B, or C, etc.” is used, in general such a construction is intended in the sense one having skill in the art would understand the convention (e.g., “a system having at least one of A, B, or C” would include but not be limited to systems that have A alone, B alone, C alone, A and B together, A and C together, B and C together, and/or A, B, and C together, etc.). It will be further understood by those within the art that virtually any disjunctive word and/or phrase presenting two or more alternative terms, whether in the description, claims, or drawings, should be understood to contemplate the possibilities of including one of the terms, either of the terms, or both terms. For example, the phrase “A or B” will be understood to include the possibilities of “A” or “B” or “A and B”.

[0030] The above description does not provide specific details of manufacture or design of the various components. Those of skill in the art are familiar with such details, and unless departures from those techniques are set out, techniques, known, related art or later developed designs and materials should be employed. Those in the art are capable of choosing suitable manufacturing and design details.

[0031] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the present disclosure. It will be appreciated that several of the above-disclosed and other features and functions, or alternatives thereof, may be combined into other systems or applications. Various presently unforeseen or unanticipated alternatives, modifications, variations, or improvements therein may subsequently be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the present disclosure as encompassed by the following claims.
[0032] The claims, as originally presented and as they may be amended, encompass variations, alternatives, modifications, improvements, equivalents, and substantial equivalents of the embodiments and teachings disclosed herein, including those that are presently unforeseen or unappreciated, and that, for example, may arise from applicants/patentees and others.

[0033] While various aspects and embodiments have been disclosed herein, other aspects and embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The various aspects and embodiments disclosed herein are for purposes of illustration and are not intended to be limiting, with the true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims.