FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[001] The present invention, in general relates to the field of drilling
devices. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an apparatus for drilling holes on structural members with varying pitch circle diameters.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[002] Background description includes information that may be useful
in understanding the present subject matter. It is not an admission that any of the information provided herein is prior art or relevant to the presently claimed subject matter, or that any publication specifically or implicitly referenced is prior art.
[003] In compact heat exchangers or in general thermal applications,
the round pipe acts as a reservoir/collector and helps in exchanging heat between hot medium and cold medium, thus maintaining the flow of the heat exchanger system. Round pipes are to be drilled with different pitch circle diameters (PCD) as part of the engineering design to facilitate smooth circulation of hot and cold medium. The drilled holes have different angles, say X°, Y°, Z° with respect to the centre of the tube. Thus, the holes are to be drilled with different pitch circle diameters.
[004] The drilled holes in the round pipe should not have any ovality
and should meet the root gap so that the round pipe can be welded with the next assembly of the heat exchanger.
[005] Conventionally used drilling devices cannot be used to drill
multiple holes in a circular pipe. As disclosed in the Korean patent, numbered KR100969924B1, a jig body is used to enclose a pipe. The jig body defines multiple holes of varying angles, wherein the holes allow the

drill bit to pass through, thereby drilling multiple holes in the enclosed pipe. The instant patent does not disclose a mechanism to drill multiple holes, of varying angles, in a circular pipe.
[006] Further, conventional drilling machines does not take the ovality
of the pipes into consideration while drilling the holes.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[007] In view of the foregoing limitations inherent in the state of the
art, some of the objects of the present invention, which at least one embodiment herein satisfy, are listed herein below.
[008] It is an object of the present invention to propose an apparatus
for drilling multiple holes of varying angles into a circular pipe.
[009] It is another object of the present invention to propose an
apparatus for drilling multiple holes of varying angles into an oval shaped pipe.
[0010] It is yet another object of the present invention to propose an apparatus for drilling multiple holes in structural members in reduced time, thereby reducing the cycle time of fabricating heat exchangers.
[0011] It is still yet another object of the present invention to propose an apparatus for drilling multiple holes with minimized operator intervention.
[0012] It is still yet another object of the present disclosure to propose an apparatus for drilling holes in structural steel members, that optimises the utilization of manpower and resources.

[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] This summary is provided to introduce concepts related to an apparatus and a method for drawing a bank tube trapped in a drum of a steam generator. 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.
[0015] The present disclosure relates to a drill apparatus for drilling holes into a round pipe at various angles. The drill apparatus comprises a support plate configured to receive a round pipe, a jig plate configured to be connected coaxially to the support plate and a jig arm connected to the jig plate. The jig plate is coaxial to the round pipe and defines a plurality of jig holes. A ring end of the jig arm is configured to be in contact with at least a portion of the round pipe, wherein the ring end is configured to drill a hole into the portion of the round pipe with which the ring end is in contact with.
[0016] The present disclosure further relates to a method for drilling holes into a round pipe at various angles. The method comprises receiving a round pipe using a support plate and connecting a jig plate coaxially to the support plate. The jig plate is coaxial to the round pipe and defines a plurality of jig holes. Drilling, using a jig arm, a hole into a portion of the round pipe with which a ring end of the jig arm is in contact with, wherein the jig arm is connected to the jig plate.

[0017] Other objects, features and advantages of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following detailed description. It should be understood, however, that the detailed description and the specific examples, while indicating specific embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
[0018] While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the present subject matter, it is believed that the present disclosure will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, where like reference numerals designate like structural and other elements, in which:
[0019] FIG. 1A is an isometric view of a drill apparatus 100, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0020] FIG. 1B is a section view of the drill apparatus 100, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a section view of a jig arm 110 configured to drill a hole 112 in a round pipe 108, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0022] FIG. 3A is a top view of the round pipe 108, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0023] FIG. 3B is a section view of the round pipe 108 along an axis X-X shown in the FIG. 3A, in accordance with an embodiment;

[0024] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of section A, shown in the FIG. 3B, of the round pipe 108, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a section view of the jig arm 110 configured to drill a hole 302 in the round pipe 108, in accordance with an embodiment;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a section view of the jig arm 110 configured to drill a hole 304 in the round pipe 108, in accordance with an embodiment; and
[0027] FIG. 7 is a section view of the jig arm 110 configured to drill multiple holes 112, 302, 304 in the round pipe 108 at the same time, in accordance with an embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0028] The detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of the disclosure is described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings. It should be noted that the embodiments are described herein in such details as to clearly communicate the disclosure. However, the amount of details provided herein 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.
[0029] It is also to be understood that various arrangements may be devised that, although not explicitly described or shown herein, embody the principles of the present disclosure. Moreover, all statements herein reciting principles, aspects, and embodiments of the present disclosure, as well as specific examples, are intended to encompass equivalents thereof.
[0030] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of example embodiments. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” are

intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”, “comprising”, “includes”, “consisting” and/or “including” when used herein, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components and/or groups thereof.
[0031] It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may, in fact, be executed concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved.
[0032] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which example embodiments belong. It will be further understood that terms, e.g., those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein.
[0033] Referring to FIGs. 1A and 1B, disclosed is a drill apparatus 100 for drilling of holes 112 into a round pipe 108 at various angles, in accordance with an embodiment. The drill apparatus 100 comprises a base plate 102, a support plate 104, a jig plate 106, a jig arm 110 and an anchor pin 136.
[0034] In an embodiment, the round pipe 108 may be circular or oval in shape.

[0035] In an embodiment, the base plate 102 may be fixed to a bed of a radial drilling machine (not shown). The anchor pin 136 may be fixed to the base plate 102 such that longitudinal axis 144 of the anchor pin 136 may be orthogonal to the plane of the base plate 102. That is, the base plate 102 may rest on a flat surface and the anchor pin 136 may extend perpendicularly to the flat surface to form an inverted “T” structure.
[0036] In an embodiment, the base plate 102 may be circular in shape.
[0037] In another embodiment, the base plate 102 may assume any other geometrical shape such as rectangular, pentagonal, among others. That is, the shape of the base plate 102 may not be restricted to circular.
[0038] In an embodiment, the support plate 104 may be placed on top of the base plate 102. The support plate 104 may be configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis 144 of the anchor pin 136. Bearing assembly 138 may be provided between the support plate 104 and the anchor pin 136 to facilitate the rotation of the support plate 104 about the anchor pin 136.
[0039] In an embodiment, the support plate 104 may define a protrusion 140, wherein the protrusion 140 may extend towards the base plate 102. The protrusion 140 may be in the shape of a circular ring.
[0040] The base plate 102 may define a circular groove 134 on the surface that may be facing the support plate 104. The groove 134 may receive the protrusion 140 such that the protrusion 140 may move within the groove 134. This allows the support plate 104 to rotate with respect the base plate 102.
[0041] In an embodiment, a clamp 114 may be used to lock the rotation of the support plate 104 with respect to the base plate 102. Bolt 118 and nut 116 may be used to tighten the clamp 114.

[0042] In an embodiment, the jig plate 106 may be attached to the support plate 104. The jig plate 106 may be configured to be rotated about the longitudinal axis 144 of the anchor pin 136. The jig plate 106 may define a plurality of jig holes 124.
[0043] In an embodiment, the jig plate 106 may be welded to the support plate 104 so that the jig plate 106 may rotate as and when the support plate 104 is rotated about the longitudinal axis 144 of the anchor pin 136.
[0044] In an embodiment, the round pipe 108 to which the holes 112 are to be drilled, is placed on the support plate 104. The round pipe 108 may be affixed to the support plate 104 using support clamps 122, 130. First support clamps 122 may be affixed to the support plate 104 using screws 120. The first support clamps 122 may define a “u-shape” to receive the round pipe 108. Second support clamps 130 may define an inverted “u-shape”, which may be used to cover the round pipe 108 on the top. The first support clamps 122 and the second support clamps 130 may be screwed to each other using screws 128. Thus, the support clamps 122, 130 affix the round pipe 108 to the support plate 104. Since the round pipe 108 is affixed to the support plate 104, the round pipe 108 is configured to rotate as and when the support plate 104 rotates about the longitudinal axis 144 of the anchor pin 136.
[0045] In an embodiment, the jig arm 110 may be affixed to the anchor pin 136 such that the jig arm 110 may be configured to rotate about the longitudinal axis 144 of the anchor pin 136. The jig arm 110 may be tightened to the anchor pin 136 using nut 132. The tightening of the nut 132 locks the rotational movement of the jig arm 110 about the longitudinal axis 144 of the anchor pin 136.

[0046] In an embodiment, the jig arm 110 may define locking pins 126 along its length, wherein the locking pins 126 may be configured to be received by the jig holes 124. This locking of the jig arm 110 using the locking pins 126 may orient the jig arm 110 in a direction of the portion of the round pipe 108 where the holes 112 are to be drilled.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 2, ring end 142 of the jig arm 110 may comprise a flat 210. The flat 210 may be inclined in a position such that the flat 210 is facing the portion of the round pipe 108 where the holes 112 are to be drilled. The flat 210 may define a through-hole 208. A threaded bush 202 may be inserted into the through-hole 208, wherein the threaded bush 202 may be configured to move in and out of the through-hole 208. The threaded bush 202 may be configured to touch the outside profile of the round pipe 108. The entire threaded bush 202 lying flat on the outer surface of the round pipe 108 indicates that the holes 112 will be drilled directing towards the centre of the round pipe 108. Thus, even when the cross section of the round pipe 108 is circular or oval, the drilled holes 112 will be circular and not oval in shape.
[0048] In an embodiment, an inner bush 204 may be press fitted into the threaded bush 202.
[0049] In an embodiment, a slip bush 206 may be configured to be slipped into the inner bush 204. The inner diameter of the slip bush 206 may be similar to the diameter of the hole 112 to be drilled into the round pipe 108.
[0050] In an embodiment, the slip bush 206 may be configured to hold a drill unit (not shown) to drill the hole 112.
[0051] FIG. 3A is a top view of the round pipe 108, wherein the circular dotted lines shown the pitch circle diameter (PCD) of the round pipe 108.

Multiple holes with varying PCD are to be drilled along the surface of the round pipe 108.
[0052] FIG. 3B is a sectional view of the round pipe 108 along the axis X-X shown in the FIG. 3A. In the instant embodiment, three holes 112, 302, 304 are to be drilled across the length of the round pipe 108. All three holes 112, 203, 304 have different PCDs. The PCD of the holes 112, 302 and 304 are PCD1, PCD2 and PCD3 respectively.
[0053] FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of section A shown in the FIG. 3B. The three holes 112, 302, 304 have different angles with respect to axis 402 of the round pip 108. The angle of the hole 112 with respect to the axis 402 is X°, the angle of the hole 302 with respect to the axis 402 is Y° and the angle of the hole 304 with respect to the axis 402 is Z°.
[0054] Referring to FIG. 5, drilling of the hole 302 is explained in accordance with an embodiment. The jig arm 110 that was used to drill the hole 112 (shown in the FIG. 2) is replaced with the jig arm 110, wherein the flat 210 of the jig arm 110 and the through-hole 208 (defined by the flat 210) are at the angle Y° to the axis 402. Thus, the new jig arm 110 will be used to drill the hole 302 in the round pipe 108.
[0055] Referring to FIG. 6, drilling of the hole 304 is explained in accordance with an embodiment. The jig arm 110 that was used to drill the hole 112 (shown in the FIG. 2) is replaced with the jig arm 110, wherein the flat 210 of the jig arm 110 and the through-hole 208 (defined by the flat 210) are at the angle Z° to the axis 402. Thus, the new jig arm 110 will be used to drill the hole 304 in the round pipe 108.
[0056] Thus, varying jig arms 110 may be used to drill holes of varying PCDs.

[0057] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a single jig arm 110 being used to drill holes 112, 302, 304 of varying pitch circle diameters. In this embodiment, multiple flats 602, 604, 606 may be arranged towards the ring end 142 of the jig arm 110, wherein the flats 602, 604, 606 are connected to each other to define a space 608. That is the flat 602 may be connected to the ring end 142 of the jig arm 110, flat 604 may be connected to the flat 602 and the flat 606 may be connected to the flat 604, thereby forming a continuous flat structure defining the space 608. The space 608 allows the round pipe 108 to pass through.
[0058] The flat 602 and the through-hole 208 (defined by the flat 602) are at the angle X° to the axis 402. Thus, the hole 112 with the PCD1 can be drilled in the angle round pipe 108.
[0059] The flat 604 and the through-hole 208 (defined by the flat 604) are at the angle Y° to the axis 402. Thus, the hole 302 with the PCD2 can be drilled in the angle round pipe 108.
[0060] The flat 606 and the through-hole 208 (defined by the flat 606) are at the angle Z° to the axis 402. Thus, the hole 304 with the PCD3 can be drilled in the angle round pipe 108.
[0061] Therefore, using the above arrangement, using a single jig arm 110, multiple holes 112, 302, 304 with varying PCDs can be drilled into the angle round pipe 108.
TECHNICAL ADVANTAGE
[0062] The present disclosure proposes a drill apparatus for drilling multiple holes of varying angles into a circular pipe.
[0063] The present disclosure proposes a drill apparatus for drilling multiple holes of varying angles into an oval shaped pipe.

[0064] The present disclosure proposes a drill apparatus for drilling multiple holes in reduced time, thereby reducing the cycle time.
[0065] The present disclosure proposes a drill apparatus for drilling multiple holes with minimized operator intervention.
[0066] The present disclosure proposes a drill apparatus that optimises the utilization of manpower and resources.
[0067] Furthermore, 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.
[0068] 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.
[0069] Furthermore, those skilled in the art can appreciate that 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.
[0070] 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.
[0071] While the foregoing describes various embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof. The scope of the present disclosure is determined by the claims that follow. The present disclosure 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 (100) for drilling holes (112) into at least one round
shaped pipe (108) at various angles, a plurality of said round shaped
pipes forming a heat-exchanger the apparatus (100) comprising:
a support plate (104) configured to receive at least one round pipe
(108);
a jig plate (106) connected coaxially to the support plate (104),
wherein,
the jig plate (106) is coaxial to the round pipe (108); and
the jig plate (106) defines a plurality of jig holes (124); and
a jig arm (110) connected to the jig plate (106), wherein a ring end (142) of the jig arm (110) is configured to be in contact with at least a portion of the round pipe (108), to allow drilling of a plurality of hole (112) into the portion of the round pipe (108) in contact with the ring end (142).
2. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, comprising a base plate (102) connected coaxially to the support plate (104), wherein the support plate (104) is rotatable with respect to the base plate (102).
3. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, wherein,
the support plate (104) defines a protrusion (140) extending towards the base plate (102);
the base plate (102) defines a circular groove (134) configured to receive a protrusion (140), such that the protrusion (140) traces a path defined by the groove (134) for the support plate (104) to operably rotate with respect to the base plate (102).

4. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, comprising a clamp (114), to lock the relative rotation of the support plate (104) and the base plate (102).
5. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 2, comprising an anchor pin (136) connected to the base plate (102), wherein longitudinal axis (144) of the anchor pin (136) is orthogonal to the plane of the base plate (102).
6. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 5, wherein the support plate (104), the jig plate (106) and the jig arm (110) are configured to rotate about an anchor pin (136).
7. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 6, wherein the jig arm (110) defines at least one locking pin (126) configured to be received by the jig hole (124), wherein the rotation of the jig arm (110) about the anchor pin (136) is locked when the locking pin (126) is received by the jig hole (124).
8. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the round pipe (108) is affixed to the support plate (104) using support clamps (122, 130).
9. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ring end (142) of the jig arm (110) comprises a flat (210), wherein,
the flat (210) is configured to face the portion of the round pipe (108) into which the hole (112) is to be drilled; and
the flat (210) defines a through-hole (208) comprising a threaded bush (202) to operably move in and out of the through-hole (208).

10. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 9, comprising an inner bush (204) configured to be press fitted into the threaded bush (202).
11. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 10, comprising a slip bush (206) configured to be slid into an inner bush (204), wherein,
inner diameter of the slip bush (206) and diameter of the hole (112) to be drilled into the round pipe (108) are the same; and the slip bush (206) is configured to hold a drill unit to drill the hole (112) into the round pipe (108).
12. The apparatus (100) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the ring end (142) of the jig arm (110) comprises multiple flats (602, 604, 606) connected to each other so that the flats (602, 604, 606) define a space (608) for the round pipe (108) to pass through, wherein each flat (602, 604, 606) is configured to allow drilling a hole (112, 302, 304) into the portion of the round pipe (108).
13. A method for drilling holes (112) into a round pipe (108) at various angles, the method comprising:
receiving a round pipe (108) using a support plate (104); connecting a jig plate (106) coaxially to the support plate (104), wherein,
the jig plate (106) is coaxial to the round pipe (108); and
the jig plate (106) defines a plurality of jig holes (124); and
drilling, using a jig arm (110), a hole (112) into a portion of the round pipe (108) with which a ring end (142) of the jig arm (110) is in contact with, wherein the jig arm (110) is connected to the jig plate (106).

14. The method as claimed in claim 13, comprising rotating the support plate (104) with respect to a base plate (102), wherein the base plate (102) is connected coaxially to the support plate (104).
15. The method as claimed in claim 14, wherein,
the support plate (104) defines a protrusion (140) extending towards the base plate (102);
the base plate (102) defines a circular groove (134) configured to receive the protrusion (140), such that the protrusion (140) traces a path defined by the groove (134) for the support plate (104) to operably rotate with respect to the base plate (102).
16. The method as claimed in claim 14, comprising locking the relative rotation of the support plate (104) and the base plate (102) using a clamp (114).
17. The method as claimed in claim 14, comprising connecting an anchor pin (136) to the base plate (102), wherein longitudinal axis (144) of the anchor pin (136) is orthogonal to the plane of the base plate (102).
18. The method as claimed in claim 17, wherein the support plate (104), the jig plate (106) and the jig arm (110) are configured to rotate about the anchor pin (136).
19. The method as claimed in claim 18, locking the rotation of the jig arm (110) about the anchor pin (136) by receiving at least one locking pin (126) in the jig hole (124), wherein the jig arm (110) defines at least one locking pin (126).

20. The method as claimed in claim 13, comprising affixing the round pipe (108) to the support plate (104) using support clamps (122, 130).
21. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the ring end (142) of the jig arm (110) comprises a flat (210), wherein,
the flat (210) is configured to face the portion of the round pipe (108)
into which the hole (112) is to be drilled; and
the flat (210) defines a through-hole (208) comprising a threaded bush
(202) configured to operably move in and out of the through-hole
(208).
22. The method as claimed in claim 21, comprising press fitting an inner bush (204) into the threaded bush (202).
23. The method as claimed in claim 22, comprising sliding a slip bush (206) into the inner bush (204), wherein,
inner diameter of the slip bush (206) and diameter of the hole (112) to be drilled into the round pipe (108) are the same; and the slip bush (206) is configured to hold a drill unit to drill the hole (112) into the round pipe (108).
24. The method as claimed in claim 13, wherein the ring end (142) of the
jig arm (110) comprises multiple flats (602, 604, 606) connected to
each other so that the flats (602, 604, 606) define a space (608) for
the round pipe (108) to pass through, wherein each flat (602, 604,

606) is configured to drill a hole (112, 302, 304) into the portion of the round pipe (108) with which the flat (602, 604, 606) is in contact with.