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Method of scarifying an interior surface of a pipeline

a technology for interior surfaces and pipes, applied in the direction of sewer cleaning, hollow article cleaning, sewer systems, etc., can solve the problems of reducing the thickness of the interior wall of the sewer system, corroding and deteriorating, and reducing the overall thickness of the system

Inactive Publication Date: 2013-10-08
MAC & MAC HYDRODEMOLITION
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  • Summary
  • Abstract
  • Description
  • Claims
  • Application Information

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The invention is a new and improved scarifying apparatus and method for removing contaminants and restoring the interior surface of a pipe. The apparatus includes a vehicle that can travel inside a pipe and a scarifying assembly that can be attached to the vehicle. The scarifying assembly has a fluid coupler with a flow control valve and a fluid nozzle that can be adjusted to control the flow of fluid. The apparatus can also have a power source and a mechanical appliance to control the movement of the scarifying assembly. The vehicle can be equipped with guiding bars and a cab for safety and comfort. The spraying system includes a vehicle and a spraying system that can apply spray to a selected region of the pipe's interior surface. Overall, the invention provides a more efficient and effective way to remove contaminants and restore the interior surface of a pipe.

Problems solved by technology

In particular, a sewer system's interior walls corrode and deteriorate because corrosive materials contaminate the surface degrading the metal and concrete used to build the sewer.
The corrosion causes the walls of the sewer pipe to physically decay, eventually reducing their overall thickness.
The sulfuric acid attacks the calcium hydroxide in the concrete sewer walls leaving calcium sulfates, which ultimately crumble and fall off of the interior of the wall substantially reducing its thickness.
Eventually the sewer walls must be restored or they can suffer permanent damage leading to great expense.
Attempting to apply a protective coating without first scarifying the pipe surface is futile because it does not stop the decay that has already began underneath the coating.
Furthermore, the protective coating itself does not adhere well to the contaminated surface.
In practice, the rate of restoration is impaired because manual scarification takes a proportionally greater amount of time than does the application of the protective coat.

Method used

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  • Method of scarifying an interior surface of a pipeline
  • Method of scarifying an interior surface of a pipeline
  • Method of scarifying an interior surface of a pipeline

Examples

Experimental program
Comparison scheme
Effect test

first embodiment

[0049]Referring to FIGS. 1 to 4, 8 and 9, a first embodiment of the scarifying apparatusmethod is shown comprising a vehicle 18 and a scarifying assembly 19.

[0050]The vehicle 18 includes a chassis 2 mounted onto the top of a track assembly 1. The track assembly 1 allows the vehicle 18 to move longitudinally along the bottom floor of a pipe 34 (see FIG. 13). The track assembly 1 is propelled along rollers 3 by a hydraulic motor (not shown) mounted onto the chassis 2. All components mounted onto the chassis 2 are removably secured to the chassis 2 but could be affixed thereto. Although the vehicle 18 has been described with reference to a track assembly 1, any actuator capable of moving the vehicle 18 under power from a motor will suffice.

[0051]The hydraulic motor is powered by an external hydraulic reservoir (not shown) coupled to the scarifying apparatus through a hydraulic coupler (not shown) that is also mounted to the chassis 2. It should be noted that, although this embodiment h...

second embodiment

The Second Embodiment

[0063]Referring to FIGS. 5 to 7 and 13, the apparatus employed by a second embodiment of the scarifying apparatusmethod is shown.

[0064]The second embodiment of the scarifying apparatus utilizes the vehicle 18 as described with respect to the first embodiment of the scarifying apparatus.

[0065]The scarifying assembly 19 of a second embodiment consists of a vertical arm 757 mounted to the front of the chassis 2, and a fluid nozzle assembly 10. The entire scarifying assembly 19 may be removed from the chassis 2 of the vehicle 18 in order to reduce the size of the scarifying apparatus. This allows the components of the scarifying apparatus to enter a sewer system, pipe or passageway through a small aperture such as a manhole. Similarly, the width of the track assembly 1 can be reduced to assist the chassis 2 to pass through a manhole and access an interior of a pipe 34.

[0066]The arm 757 includes adjusters 6 to raise or lower the fluid coupler 9 to align it approximat...

third embodiment

The Third Embodiment

[0071]Referring to FIGS. 10 to 12, a third embodiment having a combination of components from the first and second embodiments is depicted. In essence, the third embodiment utilizes the second embodiment, wherein each fluid nozzle 15 of the second embodiment is replaced by a fluid nozzle assembly 10 of the first embodiment.

[0072]The third embodiment includes an exchanger / actuator 33 to simultaneously rotate or oscillate the subsidiary arms 11 and distribute the pressurized fluid. Subsidiary arms 11 are made to telescope and thereby position the fluid nozzle assembly 10 adjacent an interior surface of a pipe 33. Alternatively, the subsidiary arms 11 can be replaced by subsidiary arms of a length sufficient to position the fluid nozzle assembly 10 adjacent the interior surface of a pipe 34. Each fluid nozzle assembly 10 includes a secondary fluid coupler 24, an exchanger / actuator 13, symmetrical branches 14, and fluid nozzles 15.

[0073]In operation, the vehicle 18 t...

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Abstract

This application discloses an automated apparatus for scarifying the interior surface of a pipe or other similar elongated passageway. The apparatus includes a vehicle that propels itself down the inside of the pipe. A scarifying assembly is removably secured to the vehicle and uses arms to reach the walls of the pipe. At the end of each arm there is a fluid nozzle assembly equipped with fluid nozzles. The fluid nozzle assembly rotates or oscillates to scarify the pipe surface. The arms and fluid nozzle assembly interchange with other such scarifying assemblies depending on the shape or type of pipe and the desired scarifying technique. The apparatus is tethered to a source of fluid under pressure and a power source, both of which are located off-board the apparatus at a remote location. An operator supervises the operation of the apparatus, controlling the speed and direction of travel of the vehicle, the speed and direction of oscillation and rotation of the scarifying assembly, and the fluid pressure delivered by the fluid nozzles.A method for scarifying the interior surface of a pipe or other elongated passageway is disclosed. The method includes the steps of a) providing a vehicle having a scarifying assembly, which includes an assembly of nozzles; b) positioning the nozzle assembly so that the nozzles are proximate a first selected region of the interior surface of a pipe; c) rotating or oscillating the nozzle assembly; d) applying pressurized fluid to the nozzles; and e) moving the vehicle and / or the nozzle assembly to scarify a swath of the interior surface of the pipe.

Description

RELATED APPLICATION[0001]This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09 / 126,113, filed Jul. 30, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,206,016, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]The present invention relates to an apparatus for scarifying the interior surface of a pipe or other similar elongated passageway.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0003]Pipes used to carry liquids and gases commonly transport all types of materials including water, natural gas, solid and liquid sewage, as well as various other accumulations from the pipe.[0004]The interior surface of a pipeline carrying solids, liquids and gases generally degrades over time as the pipe walls interact chemically and physically with the substances flowing through them. Over time, these pipes require servicing and cleaning.[0005]In particular, a sewer system's interior walls corrode and deteriorate because corrosive materials contaminate the surface degrading ...

Claims

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Application Information

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IPC IPC(8): B08B3/02B08B9/04B08B9/049E03F9/00
CPCB08B9/0433B08B9/047B08B9/051E03F9/00
Inventor MACNEIL, GERARDMACNEIL, DAVIDMACNEIL, GORDONBOSE, VERNON
Owner MAC & MAC HYDRODEMOLITION