Adjustable CIPP Liner Feed Roller for Remote Inversion Alignment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing CIPP liner feeding systems are labor-intensive and time-consuming, especially when the truck cannot be positioned near the air inverter unit, leading to frictional sticking and misalignment issues during installation, which disrupts the rehabilitation process of conduit and piping systems.
Innovation Solution
A CIPP liner feeder system with an adjustable feed roller attached to the air inverter unit, capable of rotating in different directions depending on its position, and a connecting structure for integration with a tractor's lifting/lowering system, allowing for efficient feeding of the liner from either the front or rear, and providing stability and alignment supports for various installation scenarios.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If workers manually pull and manipulate the CIPP liner from the truck, then the liner can be fed into the air inverter unit from a distance, but the process becomes labor-intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
A feed roller is introduced as an intermediary device between the liner source and the air inverter unit. The feed roller receives the liner from the truck and feeds it into the air inverter unit, eliminating the need for workers to manually pull the liner across the site. This mediator handles the labor-intensive task while maintaining the ability to operate from a distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed roller is designed to automatically feed the liner into the air inverter unit without requiring continuous manual intervention. Once the liner is positioned on the feed roller, the system self-services by continuously feeding the liner through the inversion process, significantly reducing labor requirements and increasing productivity.
2Adaptability or versatility
If workers manually manipulate the CIPP liner, then the liner can be positioned from a distance, but the process becomes time-consuming due to frictional sticking
Solution Approach 1:
The feed roller serves as a mediator that prevents direct frictional contact between the liner and the ground or worker hands. By rolling the liner through the feed roller, the system reduces frictional sticking and eliminates the time-consuming manual manipulation required to overcome friction.
Solution Approach 2:
The manual mechanical system of workers pulling and manipulating the liner is replaced with a mechanical feed roller system. This substitution automates the feeding process, reducing the time required for liner installation by eliminating the need for workers to continuously adjust and pull the liner manually.
3Ease of operation
If the truck is positioned near the air inverter unit, then the liner can be easily fed, but this limits the system's adaptability to various installation scenarios
Solution Approach 1:
The feed roller is designed with adjustable positioning capabilities, allowing it to be dynamically repositioned to accommodate different installation scenarios. The feed roller can be adjusted in height, angle, and position along the site, enabling the system to adapt to various truck positions and conduit configurations while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The feed roller is designed as a universal device that can handle multiple installation scenarios. It can feed liners from different directions, accommodate various liner sizes and types, and work with different air inverter unit configurations, making the system versatile across different rehabilitation projects.
4Reliability
If air pressure is applied to invert the liner, then the inversion process is effective, but the air pressure can lift the air inverter unit and cause misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The feed roller system is designed with counterbalancing features that offset the lifting force generated by air pressure during inversion. The feed roller's weight and positioning are calibrated to counteract the upward force, preventing the air inverter unit from being lifted and maintaining precise alignment throughout the inversion process.
Solution Approach 2:
The system incorporates feedback mechanisms that monitor the position and alignment of the air inverter unit during the inversion process. When air pressure causes slight movements, the feedback system detects these changes and adjusts the feed roller positioning or air pressure distribution to maintain precise alignment, ensuring both effective inversion and manufacturing precision.
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 significantly reduces manual labor and time required for CIPP liner installation by enabling efficient feeding and alignment, minimizing frictional sticking and misalignment issues, thus enhancing the overall efficiency of the rehabilitation process.
Implementation Method 1
The CIPP liner often times becomes frictionally stuck in the air inverter unit
Implementation Method 2
the air pressure within the CIPP liner beneath the air inverter unit can result in the air inverter unit being lifted upwardly
Data Source
AI summary
A CIPP liner feeder system for efficiently feeding CIPP liner into an air inversion unit. The CIPP liner feeder system generally includes a feed roller attached to an air inverter unit that is adjustable to a first position for feeding a CIPP liner into the air inverter unit from the front or a second position for feeding a CIPP liner into the air inverter unit from the rear. A motor is connected to the feed roller to rotate the feed roller in a first direction when the feed roller is in the first position and a second direction when the feed roller is in the second position. A connecting structure is attached to the air inverter unit for connecting to a lifting/lowering structure of a tractor.