APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PRECISE POSITIONING OF WELDED PANELS

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to an apparatus for fabrication of welded walls/panels made of tubes of various sizes and specifications for high temperature and high-pressure applications.
[0002] The present disclosure also relates to an apparatus for locking and positioning of panels/walls as per dimension in an innovative way.
[0003] More particularly, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus which can make the setting of panel/wall for assembly as more accurate, safe and efficient with reduced manpower and cycle time for construction and checking for compatibility to drawing dimensions in the power plants.
BACKGROUND
[0004] 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.
[0005] In power plants, the spiral and vertical panels/walls form the walls surrounding the furnace, where the fuel is burnt and the heat is transferred to the medium flowing inside the tubes. The furnace walls consist of the setting of a required number of panels as per drawing. The Length of the panels varies from 2 to 20 meters and the number of tubes per panel/wall varies from 22 tubes to 400 tubes with outside Diameter ranging from 38.1 mm to 76.1 mm. These panels have to be set accurately to enable correct attachment tacking and joining the other panels or loose tubes at a site.
[0006] This panel setting is done with the help of welding of support channels on which hydraulic jack will be locked to move the panels for precise setting which were kept roughly by (Electric Overhead Transport) EOT crane on assembly base. It was noticed that while doing panel setting with this method rough positioning is done with a crane which needs additional manpower. In addition to that welding of support channels for locking hydraulic jack for precise setting of each and every panel is taking more time. Moreover, after completing the panel setting, the welded channels have to be gas cut and that area needs to be ground which will take additional manpower and time. Since the basic activities of EOT crane are for Loading, Unloading, and Movement using it for panel/wall setting affects other regular works. Thus, the present art of precise setting the panels/walls to meet the dimensional requirements by using EOT crane requires more time and more manpower, which is not desirable.
[0007] Hence, there is a need to find out a safe and simple method for doing precise panel setting without using a hydraulic jack and doing by placing the wall/panel with the EOT crane only once.
OBJECTS OF THE DISCLOSURE
[0008] Some of the objects of the present disclosure, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed hereinbelow.
[0009] It is a general object of the present disclosure to provide an apparatus for precise setting of welded walls/panels by locking and positioning of panels accurately by eliminating the use of a hydraulic jack and its support channels welding.
[0010] It is another object of the present disclosure to provide a method of panel set will be safe and easy with reduced manpower and cycle time.

SUMMARY
[0011] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to an apparatus for precise positioning of welded panels. The concepts are further described below in the detailed description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used to limit the scope of the claimed subject matter.
[0012] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates to an apparatus (A) for precise positioning of welded panels. The apparatus (A) includes a C-channel frame (1) having two screw rods (2) fixed at its top with bearing and box nuts (3); a stopper plate (4) with two adjustable pivots (5) connected to the two screw rods (2); a locking handle (6) to lock the apparatus (A) on an assembly base; and a lifting handle to lift and fix the apparatus (A) at a place, wherein the linear movement of the stopper plate (4) is lockable by adjusting the screw rods (2) and locking the angle of inclination of the stopper plate (4) by a locking device (7), wherein panel end tubes get butted to the stopper plate (4) as per the set dimensions of the stopper plate (4) upon keeping the panel end tubes on the assembly base with the help of an electric overhead transport (EOT) crane.
[0013] In an aspect, the bearing is a bush or ball or roller bearing.
[0014] In an aspect, the screw rods (2) give linear motion to stopper plate (4) up to 200 mm.
[0015] In an aspect, the adjustable pivots (5) is to adjust the inclination angle of stopper plate (4) between 0 to 40 degrees.
[0016] In an aspect, the apparatus (A) is used for any number of assemblies of welded panels (9).
[0017] In an aspect, the apparatus (A) is used in any position for assembly of welded panels (9).
[0018] In an aspect, the apparatus (A) is used for high temperature and high-pressure applications.
[0019] In an embodiment, the present disclosure relates a method for precise positioning of welded panels (9) on the apparatus (A). The method includes locking the apparatus (A) on the assembly base by the locking handle (6); and locking the linear movement of a stopper plate (4) by adjusting screw rods (7) and locking the angle of inclination of the stopper plate (4) by the locking device (7), wherein upon keeping end panel tubes on the assembly base with the help of the EOT crane, the panel tubes get butted to the stopper plate (4) as per the set dimensions of the stopper plate (4), and wherein the apparatus (A) liftable and fixable at a place with the help of a lifting handle (8).
[0020] 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.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] 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 apparatuses, systems, and methods that are consistent with the subject matter as claimed herein, wherein:
[0022] FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of an apparatus used for panel setting of water wall panels in assembly through locking it and positioning of panels without using hydraulic jack indicating all the components of the developed device; and
[0023] FIG.2 illustrates a block diagram of the apparatus with the workpiece (panel).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] The following is a detailed description of embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the accompanying drawings. The embodiments are in such detail as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of detail offered is not intended to limit the anticipated variations of embodiments; on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims.
[0025] As used in the description herein and throughout the claims that follow, the meaning of “a,” “an,” and “the” includes plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Also, as used in the description herein, the meaning of “in” includes “in” and “on” unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0026] Embodiments herein describe an apparatus consisting of one C channel, stopper plate, two adjustable pivots, two movable screw rods with holder, two box nuts, one locknut, stopper plate locking device, apparatus locking device and lifting handle (FIG. 1).
[0027] The apparatus further includes a C channel frame which consists of a screw rod fixed at its top with bush bearing and box nut. Through box nut, two screw rods fixed with adjustable pivots are connected to stopper plate.
[0028] There are two locking devices for locking stopper plates as per required dimension and one locking handle for locking the apparatus on top of assembly base. The purpose of this locking mechanism enables the panels to be kept on assembly base through EOT crane as per dimension without any disturbance.
[0029] Linear movement of stopper plate is obtained through the rotating screw rods fixed with bush bearing and box nut. Stopper plate will be locked with the help of a locking device. Stopper plate is connected with adjustable pivots to adjust the stopper plate at a required angle.
[0030] Referring now to FIG. 1, the apparatus (A) comprises of a C channel frame (1) having two screw rods (2) fixed at the top with bush /ball/roller bearing and box nuts (3). Each of the screw rods (2) is connected to a stopper plate (4) with adjustable pivots (5). The apparatus (A) is fixed on an assembly base with the help of a locking handle (6). The stopper plate (4) is locked by two locking devices (7) provided at both ends.
[0031] In an aspect, the linear movement of the stopper plate (4) on the x-y direction is obtained by adjusting the screw rods (2).
[0032] In an aspect, the adjustable pivots (5) will enable the stopper plate (4) to incline at any angle and to be locked by an inbuilt locking device (7).
[0033] In an aspect, after locking the apparatus (A) on the assembly base and locking the stopper plate (4) as per dimension, panels (9) will be kept on assembly base with the help of EOT crane in such a way that panel (9) end tubes will get butted to Stopper plate and thus positioning the panels (9) accurately on assembly base without using hydraulic jack.
[0034] Further, the whole apparatus (A) can be lifted and kept at the required place with help of lifting handle (8). The screw rods (2) gives linear motion to stopper plate (4) up to 200 mm. Further, the stopper plate (4) inclination angle from 0 to 40 degrees can also be adjusted. Once the panel (9) setting is completed, the apparatus (A) is moved further to next panel (9) setting to repeat the operation till the completion of all the panels (9) of assembly.
[0035] Further, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its scope.
[0036] Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Also, the various embodiments described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments.
[0037] Further, it will be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise various arrangements that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the invention and are included within its scope.
[0038] Furthermore, all examples recited herein are principally intended expressly to be only for pedagogical purposes to aid the reader in understanding the principles of the invention and the concepts contributed by the inventor(s) to furthering the art and are to be construed as being without limitation to such specifically recited examples and conditions. Also, the various embodiments described herein are not necessarily mutually exclusive, as some embodiments can be combined with one or more other embodiments to form new embodiments.
[0039] The above description does not provide specific details of the 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.
[0040] 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.
[0041] 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.
[0042] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the invention is determined by the claims that follow. The invention is not limited to the described embodiments, versions or examples, which are included to enable a person having ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention when combined with information and knowledge available to the person having ordinary skill in the art.

We claim:

1. An apparatus (A) for precise positioning of welded panels (9), the apparatus (A) comprising;
a C-channel frame (1) having two screw rods (2) fixed at its top with bearing and box nuts (3);
a stopper plate (4) with two adjustable pivots (5) connected to the two screw rods (2);
a locking handle (6) to lock the apparatus (A) on an assembly base; and
a lifting handle to lift and fix the apparatus (A) at a place,
wherein the linear movement of the stopper plate (4) is lockable by adjusting the screw rods (2) and locking the angle of inclination of the stopper plate (4) by a locking device (7), wherein panel end tubes get butted to the stopper plate (4) as per the set dimensions of the stopper plate (4) upon keeping the panel end tubes on the assembly base with the help of an electric overhead transport (EOT) crane.
2. The apparatus (A) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bearing is a bush or ball or roller bearing.
3. The apparatus (A) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the screw rods (2) give linear motion to stopper plate (4) up to 200 mm.
4. The apparatus (A) as claimed in claims 1, wherein the adjustable pivots (5) is to adjust the inclination angle of stopper plate (4) between 0 to 40 degrees.
5. The apparatus (A) as claimed in claims 1-4 is used for any number of assemblies of welded panels (9).
6. The apparatus (A) as claimed in claims 1-4 is used in any position for assembly of welded panels (9).
7. The apparatus (A) as claimed in claims 1-4 is used for high temperature and high-pressure applications.
8. A method for precise positioning of welded panels (9) on the apparatus (A) as claimed in claim 1, the method comprising:
locking the apparatus (A) on the assembly base by the locking handle (6); and
locking the linear movement of a stopper plate (4) by adjusting screw rods (7) and locking the angle of inclination of the stopper plate (4) by the locking device (7), wherein upon keeping end panel tubes on the assembly base with the help of the EOT crane, the panel tubes get butted to the stopper plate (4) as per the set dimensions of the stopper plate (4), and wherein the apparatus (A) liftable and fixable at a place with the help of a lifting handle (8). ,