Device for unwinding and straightening coiled metallic tubes

Abstract

The device of the invention comprises a structural rack ( 10 ) provided with wheels ( 12 ) and carrying: a horizontal shaft ( 20 ), which supports a reel ( 30 ) in which is wound a tube (T); an assembly of straightening rollers ( 60 ), at least one of them being a traction roller of the tube (T) driven by a motor unit ( 50 ); and a support arm ( 40 ), having an end ( 41 ) mounted around the horizontal shaft ( 20 ) and an opposite end ( 42 ) carrying the motor unit ( 50 ) and the assembly of rollers ( 60 ), between which the tube (T) is pulled and straightened according to a direction tangential to the reel ( 30 ), the support arm ( 40 ) being locked in the structural rack ( 10 ) in different positions angularly offset from each other.

1 . A device for unwinding and straightening wound metallic tubes, comprising a structural rack ( 10 ) mounted over wheels ( 12 ) and carrying: a horizontal shaft ( 20 ), around which is mounted, in a removable and freely rotating way, a reel ( 30 ) in which is wound a metallic tube (T); an assembly of straightening rollers ( 60 ), at least one of them being a traction roller, for pulling the tube (T) from the reel ( 30 ); and a motor unit ( 50 ) for rotatively driving the traction roller ( 60 ), the device being characterized in that it further comprises a support arm ( 40 ) having an end ( 41 ) rotatively mounted around the horizontal shaft ( 20 ) of the structural rack ( 10 ) and an opposite end ( 42 ) carrying the motor unit ( 50 ) and the assembly of straightening rollers ( 60 ), between which the tube (T), after being unwound from the reel ( 30 ), is pulled and straightened according to a direction tangential to the reel ( 30 ), the support arm ( 40 ) being locked in the structural rack ( 10 ) in different positions angularly offset from each other. 
     
     
         2 . The device, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the angularly offset different positions of the support arm ( 40 ) are defined from a first end position, in which the direction of unwinding and straightening the tube (T) is vertical and descending (VD), to a second end position, offset in  270  degrees in relation to the first end position, and in which the direction of unwinding and straightening the tube (T) is horizontal and inferiorly tangent (HI) to the reel ( 30 ), the support arm ( 40 ) being further selectively locked, in any of said different operational positions, including those in which the direction of unwinding and straightening are, respectively, horizontal and superiorly tangent (HS) to the reel ( 30 ) and vertical and ascending (VA). 
     
     
         3 . The device, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the straightening rollers ( 60 ) are disposed, in order to actuate sequentially, two by two, over the extension of the tube (T) which is progressively passed between said straightening rollers ( 60 ), the opposite end ( 42 ) of the support arm ( 40 ) carrying a support ( 65 ), each straightening roller ( 60 ) having a shaft ( 61 ), parallel to the horizontal shaft ( 20 ) and affixed to said support ( 65 ). 
     
     
         4 . The device, according to  claim 3 , characterized in that each straightening roller ( 60 ) has at least one circumferential channel ( 66 ) dimensioned to operate with a determined gauge of the tube (T), at least one of the straightening rollers ( 60 ) presenting their shaft ( 61 ) eccentrically mounted to the support ( 65 ) and affixed, in an adjustable way, in a position which allows the roller to operate, jointly with the adjacent roller, against the wall of tube (T) of a predetermined gauge. 
     
     
         5 . The device, according to  claim 4 , characterized in that the support ( 65 ) carries, superiorly, a tubular guide ( 67 ), which is disposed axially aligned to the path direction of the tube (T) upon passing through the assembly of straightening rollers ( 60 ). 
     
     
         6 . The device, according to  claim 3 , characterized in that it further comprises a fairing ( 65   a ) affixed to the opposite end ( 42 ) of the support arm ( 40 ) and surrounding the straightening rollers ( 60 ) in a position opposite to that of the support ( 65 ). 
     
     
         7 . The device, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the horizontal shaft ( 20 ) presents a front extension ( 21 ), bearing the reel ( 30 ), and a rear extension ( 22 ), coaxial to the front extension ( 21 ) and around which is mounted the end ( 41 ) of the support arm ( 40 ), the structural rack ( 10 ) including an upper frame ( 13 ), from which are upwardly projected lateral bearings ( 14 ) in which are respectively affixed the ends of the rear extension ( 22 ) of the horizontal shaft ( 20 ). 
     
     
         8 . The device, according to  claim 7 , characterized in that at least one of the lateral bearings ( 14 ) is provided with a circular alignment of orifices ( 15 ), concentric to the rotation axis of the support arm ( 40 ), the latter being provided with an orifice ( 43 ) which is aligned with an orifice ( 15 ) of a bearing ( 14 ), in a respective angular position of the support arm ( 40 ), in which said aligned orifices receive a lock pin (P). 
     
     
         9 . The device, according to  claim 7 , characterized in that the reel ( 30 ) has a central tubular hub ( 31 ) mounted around the front extension ( 21 ) of the horizontal shaft ( 20 ). 
     
     
         10 . The device, according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it comprises a meter counting means ( 70 ), mounted to the opposite end ( 42 ) of the support arm ( 40 ) and provided with a pulley ( 71 ), which is constantly and elastically forced against the wall of the extension of the tube (T), already straightened and being progressively released from the assembly of straightening rollers ( 60 ), so that the pulley ( 71 ) can be rotated by the frictional linear displacement of the tube (T) which activates the meter counter means ( 70 ).