Cutting tools for pipe cutting frames

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10549362-B2
Application number	US-201715809186-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 10, 2017
Priority date	Nov 11, 2016
Publication date	Feb 4, 2020
Grant date	Feb 4, 2020

Abstract

Cutting tools for pipe cutting frames are disclosed. Example split frame pipe cutting tools include a frame and a slide tool configured to position a cutting edge in contact with the workpiece, the slide tool comprising: a radial advancement mechanism configured to provide radial advancement of the cutting edge based on circumferential advancement of the slide tool by the frame; and an axial guide rail; a recirculating bearing carriage configured to slide in an axial direction along the axial guide rail and to couple the cutting edge to the axial guide rail; an axial advancement mechanism configured to advance the cutting edge in the axial direction with respect to the workpiece by translating radial advancement by the radial advancement mechanism to axial advancement based on a cutting template coupled to the radial advancement mechanism.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A split frame pipe cutting tool, comprising:
a tool carrier comprising a plurality of sections, configured to encircle a workpiece when the sections are connected, and configured to provide circumferential advancement around the workpiece; and
a slide tool configured to position a cutting edge in contact with the workpiece, the slide tool comprising:
a radial advancement mechanism configured to provide radial advancement of the cutting edge based on circumferential advancement of the slide tool by the tool carrier; and
an axial guide rail;
a recirculating bearing carriage configured to slide in an axial direction along the axial guide rail and to couple the cutting edge to the axial guide rail;
an axial advancement mechanism configured to advance the cutting edge in the axial direction with respect to the workpiece by translating radial advancement by the radial advancement mechanism to axial advancement based on a cutting template coupled to the radial advancement mechanism.

2. The split frame pipe cutting tool as defined in claim 1 , wherein the template is configured to control the cutting edge to machine, into the workpiece, a straight edge substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal extent of the workpiece.

3. The split frame pipe cutting tool as defined in claim 1 , wherein the template is configured to control the cutting edge to machine at least one of the following into the workpiece:
a bevel on an inner surface of an end of the workpiece that is transverse to and at one or more angles other than ninety-degrees, to the longitudinal extent of the workpiece; or
a bevel on an outer surface of the end of the workpiece that is transverse to and at one or more angles, other than ninety-degrees, to the longitudinal extent of the workpiece.

4. The split frame pipe cutting tool as defined in claim 1 , wherein the template is configured to control the cutting edge to machine an edge into the workpiece, the edge having one or more angles.

5. The split frame pipe cutting tool as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a slide tensioning block configured to be selectively locked against the axial guide rail wherein, when the slide tensioning block is locked against an axial guide rail, the axial advancement mechanism is configured to advance the cutting edge in the axial direction with respect to the workpiece by advancing an axial feed mechanism configured to advance the axial advancement mechanism based on the circumferential advancement of the slide tool by the tool carrier.

6. The split frame pipe cutting tool as defined in claim 5 , wherein the recirculating bearing carriage is coupled to the axial guide rail with sufficient strength, rigidity, and lubricity to enable the recirculating bearing carriage to slide along the axial guide rail under a cutting load.

7. The split frame pipe cutting tool as defined in claim 5 , wherein the axial advancement mechanism comprises a cam follower coupled to the axial guide rail and configured to translate the radial advancement to the axial advancement based on a shape of the template, the recirculating bearing carriage is coupled to the axial guide rail with sufficient strength, rigidity, and lubricity to enable the recirculating bearing carriage to withstand a torque load from cutting without locking.

8. The split frame pipe cutting tool as defined in claim 1 , wherein the axial advancement mechanism comprises a cam follower coupled to the axial guide rail and configured to translate the radial advancement to the axial advancement based on a shape of the template.

9. The split frame pipe cutting tool as defined in claim 1 , wherein the radial advancement mechanism comprises a star wheel coupled to a screw, the screw configured to advance the cutting edge in a radial direction proportional to rotation of the screw, the star wheel positioned to contact a stationary component of the tool carrier which, when contacted by the star wheel, causes rotation of the star wheel and rotation of the screw by the star wheel.

10. The split frame pipe cutting tool as defined in claim 9 , wherein the star wheel is positionable in one of two slots such that:
positioning of the star wheel in a first one of the slot causes rotation of the star wheel to rotate the screw in a first direction to advance the cutting edge in a first radial direction; and
positioning of the star wheel in a second one of the slot causes rotation of the star wheel to rotate the screw in a second direction via an intermediate gear, to advance the cutting edge in a second radial direction opposite the first radial direction.

11. The split frame pipe cutting tool as defined in claim 1 , wherein the axial guide rail comprises a bronze alloy.

12. The split frame pipe cutting tool as defined in claim 5 , wherein the slide tensioning block comprises one or more disc springs configured to apply at least a threshold compression between the slide tensioning block and the axial guide rail.

13. The split frame pipe cutting tool as defined in claim 1 , wherein the axial feed mechanism comprises:
a roller clutch bearing configured to rotate an axial screw in a first direction and configured to resist rotation in a second direction opposite the first direction; and
a feed cable configured to actuate the roller clutch in the first direction in response to tensioning of the feed cable; and
a pivot arm configured to apply tension to the feed cable in response to actuation of the pivot arm caused by the pivot arm contacting a stationary component of the tool carrier.

14. The split frame pipe cutting tool as defined in claim 13 , wherein the feed cable is configured to be decoupled from the roller clutch bearing when the axial advancement mechanism is translating radial advancement by the radial advancement mechanism to axial advancement based on a cutting template.

15. The split frame pipe cutting tool as defined in claim 14 , further comprising a feed nut configured to increase or decrease a feed stroke of the pivot arm on the feed cable.

16. The split frame pipe cutting tool as defined in claim 14 , wherein the roller clutch is reversible.

17. The split frame pipe cutting tool as defined in claim 14 , further comprising:
a plunger and a radial feed coupler ring configured to couple the roller clutch bearing to the feed cable; and
a hand wheel configured to enable bidirectional manual adjustment of the axial screw when the plunger is disengaged from the radial feed coupler ring.

18. The split frame pipe cutting tool as defined in claim 17 , further comprising a radial feed clutch lever configured to couple the feed cable to the roller clutch bearing and to translate tension from the feed cable to rotation of the roller clutch bearing.

19. The split frame pipe cutting tool as defined in claim 1 , further comprising a second slide tool configured to position a second cutting edge in contact with the workpiece to performing cutting or boring on the workpiece, the second slide tool being positioned at a second position on the tool carrier.

20. A split frame pipe cutting tool, comprising:
a tool carrier comprising a plurality of sections, configured to encircle a workpiece when the sections are connected, and configured to provide circumferential advancement around the workpiece;
a plurality of slide tools configured to position a plurality of cutting edges in contact with the workpiece, each of the slide tools comprising:
a radial advancement mechanism configured to provide radial advancement of the cutting

Assignees

• Illinois Tool Works

Inventors

• Pierce Kenneth R
• Gearhart Michael W

Classifications

• B26D5/22

  having the cutting member and work feed mechanically connected · CPC title

• B23B3/26

  the tools of which perform a radial movement; Rotary tool heads thereof · CPC title

• B26D7/26

  Means for mounting or adjusting the cutting member; Means for adjusting the stroke of the cutting member · CPC title

• B23D21/04 Primary

  Tube-severing machines with rotating tool-carrier · CPC title

• B26D3/16

  Cutting rods or tubes transversely {(cutting tubes longitudinally B26D3/001)} · CPC title