Cone Cutter Chip Shredding for Underground Plastic Pipe Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing cone cutters for removing plastic pipes from the ground often get stuck due to chip threads or curls forming in the annular space, which create a jam and prevent the removal of chips, potentially leading to pipe breakage.
Innovation Solution
A comminution tool with a cutting wheel, equipped with cutting edges, is placed in the annular space to clip and cut chip threads into smaller pieces, ensuring they can be flushed away, and a stabilizer ensures precise centering and alignment of the cutting wheel to prevent jamming.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If a conical milling cutter is used to remove plastic pipe, then the pipe can be machined and removed from the ground, but chip threads or curls form in the annular space causing the cutter to get stuck
Solution Approach 1:
The chip removal process is segmented into two stages: primary cutting by the conical milling cutter and secondary comminution by the additional comminution tool. This segmentation transforms the chip formation process from creating continuous threads to producing small, flushable particles, preventing jamming in the annular space
Solution Approach 2:
A comminution tool with cutting wheel acts as an intermediary device between the conical milling cutter and the flushing system. This intermediate tool further processes the chips produced by the main cutter, converting them into a form suitable for removal through flushing channels, thereby preventing direct jamming of the main cutter
2Ease of operation
If chip threads are not removed effectively, then the annular space becomes blocked, but adding removal mechanisms increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The flushing system serves multiple functions: it cools the cutting zone, lubricates the cutting edges, and removes chips from the annular space. By making the flushing system multi-functional, the patent avoids adding separate complex chip removal mechanisms while still achieving effective chip evacuation
Solution Approach 2:
The cutting wheel of the comminution tool is designed to rotate freely using the kinetic energy of the returning flush fluid itself, without requiring an external drive mechanism. This self-service approach eliminates the need for additional motors or power transmission systems, reducing device complexity while maintaining chip comminution function
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 solution effectively prevents the cone cutter from seizing during drilling by ensuring chip threads are cut and removed, maintaining a clear annular space and preventing pipe breakage.
Implementation Method 1
a comminution tool (6) with a cutting wheel (8) equipped with cutting edges (7) which clip and cut the chip threads (40) occurring in the annular space (5) into small pieces
Implementation Method 2
spring-loaded rolling bodies are arranged which bear against the inner wall of the pipe. Because of this training is achieved that an exact centering of the bevel cutter on the one hand, but also the cutting wheel on the other hand, is guaranteed in the annular space
Implementation Method 3
the cutting wheel is arranged so that it can rotate freely on the drill string, the rotation taking place primarily through the returned mud
Implementation Method 4
the bevel cutter comprises flushing channels through which the flushing pumped through the pipe string with the resulting chips in the annular space formed by pipe and pipe string are discharged
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The invention relates to a conical milling cutter (1) for removing a plastic pipe (2) laid in the ground, such as a gas, water, or sewage pipe, made of PVC, PE, PET, or SLM material, which interacts with a rotating drill string (3) of a drilling machine, which is inserted to machine the pipe (3), and the conical milling cutter (1) comprises flushing channels (4) through which the flushing fluid pumped by the drill string (3), along with the resulting chips, is discharged into the annular space (5) formed by the pipe (2) and drill string (3). According to the invention, a shredding tool (6) is provided in the annular space (5) for the resulting swarf.