Corrugated Tube Jacket Stripping with Blade-Guided Surface Protection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tools for removing jacketing material from corrugated metal tubing, such as those used for natural gas or propane conveyance, lack the precision and safety necessary to avoid damaging the tubing, and often require manual operation with limited usability and no interchangeable parts.
Innovation Solution
A tool with a tubular body and a fixed blade specifically oriented to engage the jacketing material without damaging the underlying tubing, featuring a central bore with varying diameters to control the length of jacket removal and a blade mounting platform for easy blade replacement, allowing for efficient and precise removal of the jacket.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual knife scoring is used to remove jacketing material, then the jacket can be separated from the tubing, but the tubing surface becomes rough and damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the manual knife scoring mechanism with a rotating abrasive wheel that provides controlled, uniform material removal through rotational motion. The abrasive wheel gradually wears down the jacketing material through friction and abrasion rather than sudden mechanical cutting, resulting in a smooth tubing surface without damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operational parameters from manual scoring with variable pressure to controlled rotational abrasion with consistent contact force. The rotating wheel maintains a constant speed and contact pressure on the tubing surface, transforming the removal process into a predictable, parameter-controlled operation that preserves surface quality.
2Productivity
If rotational wire stripping tools are used, then jacket removal efficiency is improved, but precision is insufficient for corrugated gas tubing
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by using a narrowly focused abrasive wheel that contacts only a specific portion of the jacketing material at any given time. The wheel's limited contact area and controlled rotation path ensure precise removal at the target location while leaving the rest of the tubing and jacketing undisturbed, achieving both efficiency and precision.
3Ease of operation
If plier-like stripping tools are used, then tool operation is simplified, but tubing compression and crimping damage occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the compressive mechanical action of plier-like tools with an abrasive removal mechanism. Instead of squeezing and crimping the tubing to separate the jacket, the rotating abrasive wheel gradually wears away the jacketing material through friction, eliminating compressive forces that could damage the corrugated tubing structure.
4Manufacturing precision
If fixed blade tools are used for precision stripping, then tubing damage is prevented, but blade wear limits tool usability
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies discarding and recovering by making the abrasive wheel replaceable. When the abrasive surface wears down after extended use, the wheel can be easily removed and replaced with a fresh one, restoring the tool's cutting effectiveness. This allows the tool body to have a long service life while the consumable abrasive component is periodically replaced.
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 tool effectively removes the jacket from corrugated stainless steel tubing without damaging the metal, ensuring compliance with building codes and extending the tool's usable life through interchangeable components.
Implementation Method 1
The tool includes an abrasive wheel configured to abrade the jacketing material from the corrugated tubing
Data Source
AI summary
A tool for removing an outer jacketing material from a corrugated tubing. The tool includes a tubular housing with a first end having a bore extending therein for receiving the jacketed corrugated tubing and a second end with a tool connector. A blade is fixed through an opening within the housing near the first end. As the jacketed tube is pushed into the bore, the blade engages the jacketing material without scoring the corrugated tubing. Rotation of the tubular housing via the tool connector along with inboard movement of the tubing within the housing bore further engages the blade with the jacketing material. As the jacketed tubing is moved into the bore, the blade circumferentially removes the jacket from the tube. The blade is configured and positioned so as not to engage the corrugated metal tubing from which the jacket is to be removed.