Coring Tool Alignment Assembly for Pipe Sidewalls
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for forming holes in the sidewall of mainline pipes for connecting lateral pipes are complex, cumbersome, and prone to misalignment, especially in environments with challenging conditions such as underground sewer lines with protruding ribs, leading to potential leaks and structural issues.
Innovation Solution
A compact alignment assembly that includes a rigid base plate and a tubular sleeve to securely position a coring tool, allowing for precise alignment and cutting of holes without the need for additional pipe-engaging mechanisms, and can accommodate various pipe surfaces and angles of connection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If complicated tools with many parts are used to engage the mainline pipe and secure a guide apparatus, then the alignment precision can be improved, but the device complexity increases and the ease of operation deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment assembly is divided into distinct functional segments: a base plate for pipe engagement, a positioning element for alignment, and a guide apparatus for hole formation. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function efficiently while keeping the overall structure simple and manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention extracts only the essential components needed for alignment and hole formation, eliminating unnecessary parts from complicated prior art tools. The base plate with positioning elements provides sufficient alignment capability without requiring additional complex mechanisms.
2Device complexity
If conventional mechanisms for controlling coring tools are used, then the device complexity remains low, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates due to misalignment in challenging environments
Solution Approach 1:
The base plate is preliminarily secured to the mainline pipe surface before hole formation begins. The positioning elements are pre-configured to establish accurate alignment, ensuring that when the coring tool is engaged, the hole is automatically positioned correctly without requiring complex real-time control mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The base plate acts as an intermediary between the mainline pipe and the coring tool. It provides a stable mounting surface and positioning reference that translates the pipe's geometry into precise hole alignment, simplifying the overall system while maintaining high precision.
3Ease of operation
If the coring tool is not properly aligned with the mainline pipe, then the ease of operation is maintained, but the manufacturing precision deteriorates resulting in oblong holes and connection misalignment
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment assembly is designed to be self-aligning through its positioning elements that automatically reference the mainline pipe's geometry. Once the base plate is secured, the system self-regulates to ensure proper hole alignment without requiring complex operator intervention or sophisticated control mechanisms.
4Ease of operation
If excessive axial force is applied when fitting the spigot end into the connection hub, then the ease of operation is improved, but the reliability deteriorates causing interference with mainline pipe operation and inspection
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment assembly and positioning system are designed to accommodate normal installation forces without causing excessive penetration. The positioning elements and base plate configuration provide a cushioning effect that absorbs excessive axial force, preventing damage to the mainline pipe while still allowing easy connection installation.
Data Source
AI summary
A compact assembly for aligning a coring tool relative to a pipe sidewall. The coring tool includes a hollow, cylindrical hole saw mounted to an arbor that has an elongated pilot shaft centered in the hole saw. The assembly is made up of a base plate that is attachable to the pipe sidewall. In one embodiment, a tubular sleeve is mounted to the base plate and has a bore diameter sized for receiving the pilot shaft as the hole saw is advanced toward and saws through the pipe wall, and the entire assembly is sized to fit inside the hole saw as the hole saw saws through the pipe sidewall. In another embodiment, the base plate is configured for use with pipe sidewalls that include outwardly protruding ribs.