Pipe-processing, in particular a pipe-cutting apparatus

1. A pipe processing apparatus, comprising:

a gripping mechanism fitted with a plurality of bracing rollers which are positioned spaced apart along a circle corresponding to the outer diameter of a pipe to be processed,

each of said plurality of bracing rollers having an axis of rotation running parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pipe, wherein said plurality of bracing rollers is able to grip in enclosing manner the pipe and to radially center it, wherein the circularly gripped and centered pipe within the gripping mechanism and the plurality of bracing rollers are rotatable relative to one another about the pipe longitudinal axis,

wherein a drive wheel which is rotatably supported to be axially parallel to the plurality of bracing rollers on the pipe processing apparatus wherein the outer circumference of the drive wheel comprises a tread and is positioned at a site where the tread can contact the pipe held by the bracing rollers and drive it by static friction; and

a drive system which is operationally linked with the drive wheel to power the drive wheel which thereby is enabled to rotate the circularly gripped and centered pipe relative to the pipe processing apparatus, or whereby the drive wheel is enabled to rotate the pipe processing apparatus about the circularly gripped and centered pipe, in the process the drive wheel rolling on and along the outer circumference of the pipe, and

wherein the drive system and the drive wheel are combined into one drive unit which is configured in height-adjustable manner relative to the circle defined by the plurality of bracing rollers and transversely to the axes of rotation of the plurality of bracing rollers, the gripping mechanism, and the pipe.

2. A pipe processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tread of the drive wheel is fitted with an anti-slip material.

3. A pipe processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tread of the drive wheel is elastically compressible, thereby the tread can be compressed by the pressure applied by the drive wheel against the pipe.

4. A pipe processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tread of the drive wheel is cross-sectionally contoured to enhance the anti-slip properties of said tread.

5. A pipe processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the drive system is fitted with a gearing to convert a large angular speed at a gearing input into a lower angular speed at a gearing output, said gearing output being operationally linked to the drive wheel.

6. A pipe processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the drive wheel is configured in height-adjustable manner relative to the circle defined by the bracing rollers and transversely to the axes of rotation of said bracing rollers.

7. A pipe processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the drive system is fitted with a handwheel to power the drive wheel.

8. A pipe processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the drive system is fitted with a motor for powering the drive wheel.

9. A pipe processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the drive system is designed to be alternatively connected with a handwheel.

10. A pipe processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a tool head or a pipe processing element.

11. A pipe processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the tool head or the pipe processing element is one structural unit, wherein the drive system together with the drive wheel is a second structural unit, wherein the structural units can each be mounted independently of the other on the gripping mechanism.

12. A pipe processing apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical or thermal pipe processing element or pipe processing tool used for pipe processing.

13. A pipe processing apparatus as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the anti-slip material is rubber or plastic.

14. A pipe processing apparatus as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the drive system gearing is a reducing gearing.

15. A pipe processing apparatus, comprising:

a gripping mechanism fitted with a plurality of bracing rollers which are positioned spaced apart along a circle corresponding to the outer diameter of a pipe to be processed,

each of said plurality of bracing rollers having an axis of rotation running parallel to each other and parallel to the longitudinal axis of the pipe, wherein said plurality of bracing rollers is able to grip in enclosing manner the pipe and to radially center it, wherein the circularly gripped and centered pipe within the gripping mechanism and the plurality of bracing rollers are rotatable relative to one another about the pipe longitudinal axis,

wherein a drive wheel which is rotatably supported to be axially parallel to the plurality of bracing rollers on the pipe processing apparatus, wherein the outer circumference of the drive wheel comprises a tread and is positioned at a site where the tread can contact the pipe held by the bracing rollers and drive it by static friction; and

a drive system which is operationally linked with the drive wheel to power the drive wheel which thereby is enabled to rotate the circularly gripped and centered pipe relative to the pipe processing apparatus, or whereby the drive wheel is enabled to rotate the pipe processing apparatus about the circularly gripped and centered pipe, in the process the drive wheel rolling on and along the outer circumference of the pipe,

at least one compression spring which forces the drive unit away from the circle defined by the plurality of the bracing rollers, and

a positioning device allowing adjusting the drive unit against the opposing force of the said spring toward the circle.

16. A pipe processing apparatus as a claimed in claim 8 , wherein the motor is an electric motor.

17. A pipe processing apparatus as claimed in claim 12 , wherein the mechanical or thermal pipe processing element is a laser processor or a plasma processor.