Cable Guide Frame Curvature for Trenchless Pipe Replacement
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Solution Overview
Problem
Trenchless pipe replacement, particularly for large quantities of HDPE gas pipes, faces challenges in minimizing the size of entry and exit pits due to space constraints, making it difficult to operate cutting tooling effectively.
Innovation Solution
A cable pulling system with a large radius curved path and a stationary splitter is used to guide the pipe breaking tool and new pipe, allowing for easy transition and minimizing damage, while the stationary splitter addresses errant pipe segments that might jam, enabling efficient pipe replacement without kinking the cable or damaging the tooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If trenchless pipe replacement is performed in small entry and exit pits, then the need for trenches is minimized, but the space available to operate cutting tooling is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a cable guide frame with guide pulleys that creates a three-dimensional curved path through the pit space. This transforms the two-dimensional floor space constraint into a three-dimensional solution, allowing the pipe breaking tool to be guided along a curved trajectory from the horizontal pipe axis to the vertical cable pull direction, effectively utilizing vertical space to overcome horizontal space limitations
Solution Approach 2:
The cable guide frame acts as an intermediary device between the pipe breaking tool and the cable pulling system. It provides a structured pathway with guide pulleys that mediate the transition of the tool through the confined pit space, enabling operation in small pits while maintaining accessibility and control
2Reliability
If a cable pulling system with large radius curved path is used, then the pipe breaking tool transitions smoothly with reduced damage, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a curved path defined by guide pulleys arranged in an arc, creating a large radius transition zone. This curved geometry allows the pipe breaking tool to change direction smoothly from horizontal to vertical orientation, reducing mechanical shock and potential damage while maintaining structural simplicity through the use of standard pulley components
3Productivity
If a stationary splitter is used to address errant pipe segments, then pipe replacement efficiency is improved, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The stationary splitter is positioned in advance within the cable guide frame structure to preemptively address potential problems. By having the splitter ready at the location where errant pipe segments are most likely to occur, the system can immediately split and redirect these segments without stopping the pipe replacement operation, thereby maintaining high productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The stationary splitter serves as an intermediary device that intercepts and resolves issues with errant pipe segments. It acts as a local problem-solving mechanism within the overall cable pulling system, handling specific problematic segments while allowing the main replacement operation to continue uninterrupted
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The system facilitates efficient trenchless pipe replacement by allowing the pipe breaking tool to transition smoothly and reducing damage, enabling larger pipe replacement operations in confined spaces with minimal equipment adjustment and increased accessibility.
Implementation Method 1
A cable guide frame with a plurality of guide pulleys is provided. The guide pulleys define a curved path having a large radius that transitions from a substantially horizontal point of exit to a substantially vertical point within the cable guide frame.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe replacement system and cable guide frame are shown. Configurations are shown that include plurality of guide pulleys attached to the cable guide frame to define a curved path between a pipe to be replaced and a cable pulling system. Configurations are shown where a pipe breaking tool is pulled over the plurality of guide pulleys for ease of removal after a replacement operation. Configurations are also shown that include a stationary splitter adjacent to the cable pulling system to prevent jamming of the cable pulling system.