The bundle puller is an indispensable equipment in modern industrial production, especially in the maintenance and repair of equipment such as heat exchangers, boilers, and reactors. It can efficiently and safely disassemble and install tube bundles, greatly improving work efficiency and reducing maintenance costs.
This article will explain in detail the working principles of three common types of bundle pullers: mechanical pulling, hydraulic compression, and pneumatic suction.
I. Mechanical pulling type
The mechanical pulling type bundle puller uses a mechanical transmission device, such as gears, chains, or wire ropes, to pull the tube bundle out of the equipment. The working principle is as follows:
- Clamping: The mechanical claw or fixture is fixed on the tube bundle to ensure that the tube bundle does not slip during the pulling process.
- Pulling: The gear or chain is driven by an electric motor or a manual crank to pull the wire rope connected to the tube bundle, thereby pulling the tube bundle out of the equipment.
- Releasing: After the pulling is completed, the clamping device is released to release the tube bundle.
Characteristics:
- Simple structure: The structure is simple, and the operation is relatively easy.
- Low cost: Compared with other types, the cost is lower.
- Applicable range: It is suitable for the case where the tube bundle is small in size and there is sufficient surrounding space.
Limitations:
- Limited pulling force: The pulling force is limited and cannot handle large or heavy tube bundles.
- Low efficiency: The efficiency is relatively low, and it takes a long time to complete the operation.
II. Hydraulic compression type
The hydraulic compression type bundle puller uses the powerful force provided by the hydraulic system to extract the tube bundle from the equipment. The working principle is as follows:
- Clamping: The hydraulic cylinder presses the fixture against the tube bundle to ensure that the tube bundle is in a controlled state throughout the operation.
- Pushing: The hydraulic system pushes the hydraulic cylinder to move the hydraulic tie rod connected to the tube bundle outward, thereby extracting the tube bundle from the equipment.
- Releasing: At the end of the operation, the hydraulic cylinder is released to release the tube bundle.
Characteristics:
- Powerful force: It can easily handle large or heavy tube bundles.
- High efficiency: The efficiency is relatively high, and the operation speed is fast.
Limitations:
- High cost: The cost of the hydraulic system is high, and the overall price of the equipment is relatively expensive.
- Complex operation: The operation of the hydraulic system is relatively complex and requires professional operation.
III. Pneumatic suction type
The pneumatic suction type bundle puller uses compressed air to extract the tube bundle from the equipment. The working principle is as follows:
- Fixing: The vacuum chuck is fixed on the tube bundle, and the pneumatic device tightly suctions the chuck on the surface of the tube bundle.
- Suction: The pneumatic system is activated, and a vacuum pump is used to suck the air around the tube bundle to form a negative pressure, thereby extracting the tube bundle from the equipment.
- Releasing: At the end of the operation, the vacuum pump is turned off to release the suction force of the vacuum chuck on the tube bundle and release the tube bundle.
Characteristics:
- Safe and efficient: The operation is simple, safe, and efficient.
- Wide application range: It is suitable for various tube bundle sizes and shapes, especially for the case where the space is narrow and the number of tube bundles is large.
Limitations:
- Limited suction force: The suction force is limited and cannot handle over-heavy or oversized tube bundles.
- Working environment restrictions: A stable and reliable compressed air supply is required.
Conclusion
The working principles of different bundle pullers have their own advantages and disadvantages. Engineers and maintenance personnel need to choose the most suitable type according to the specific application scenarios and tube bundle characteristics. With the continuous development of technology, new types of bundle pullers will be more intelligent, automated, efficient, safe, and reliable, bringing greater benefits to industrial production.
