Tapered spiral welded structure

摘要

A method for creating a tapered spiral welded conical structure where the overall shape of the cone is first graphically slit axially and unwrapped, and then a series of construction arcs and lines are created to form the edge lines of a strip that can then be wrapped (rolled) to form a tapered conical structure. The edges of the spirally wound strip can be welded together, and a very large conical structure can thus be achieved. Various construction options are presented from a constant width strip to strip made from straight segments. Equations are given for the formation of the strips to enable those skilled in the art of spiral welded tubing to practice the invention.

主权项

1. A method comprising:
obtaining a plurality of planar sheets, wherein:
each one of the plurality of planar sheets has a first edge and a second edge;the plurality of planar sheets are collectively dimensioned such that, in a particular planar configuration, the first edges of the plurality of planar sheets collectively comprise a first curve that is not a single straight line and the second edges of the plurality of planar sheets collectively comprise a second curve; andthere exists a rotation about an axis such that the first curve coincides with the second curve when rotated by the rotation; andat least one point along the first curve has a different minimum distance to the second curve than at least one other point along the first curve; and spiral-welding the plurality of planar sheets sequentially so that at least one first edge of one of the plurality of planar sheets contacts a second edge of another one of the plurality of planar sheets to form a frusto-conical structure.