Deforming Die Loosening for Trenchless Removal of Buried Pipe
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing old pipes from underground, such as pipe bursting, may disturb top surface structures and fail to completely remove hazardous materials like lead pipes, which can contaminate the environment.
Innovation Solution
A solid single deforming die is used with directional drilling equipment to loosen the pipe by applying a deforming force without bursting it, allowing for the pipe to be pulled out without splitting or weakening, using a combination of pushing and pulling devices like winches and directional drills.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If pipe bursting is used to replace old pipe, then trenchless replacement is achieved, but the old pipe cannot be completely removed and may contaminate the environment
Solution Approach 1:
The old pipe is divided into segments during the bursting process, with the front segment being loosened and extracted while the rear segments remain buried. This segmentation allows partial removal of hazardous materials while maintaining trenchless replacement benefits.
Solution Approach 2:
The deforming die extracts and removes the front segment of the old pipe from the ground through a series of loosening and pulling operations, completely eliminating hazardous materials from the environment while leaving the rear segments in place.
2Ease of manufacture
If pipe bursting is used to replace old pipe, then trenchless replacement is achieved, but top surface structures may be disturbed
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of completely bursting the pipe as in traditional methods, the deforming die applies partial deformation to loosen only the front segment of the pipe. This partial action achieves pipe removal without the excessive force that would disturb surface structures.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If traditional pipe removal methods are used, then complete pipe removal is achieved, but trench excavation is required which disturbs surface structures
Solution Approach 1:
The deforming die acts as an intermediary tool that enables complete pipe removal through trenchless methods. It loosens the pipe segment within the ground and facilitates its extraction without requiring surface excavation, thus eliminating surface structure disturbance while achieving complete removal.
4Strength
If deforming die is used to loosen pipe, then pipe can be removed without bursting, but the pipe may still be stuck in soil
Solution Approach 1:
The deforming die performs preliminary loosening action on the pipe segment before extraction. By deforming the pipe wall and loosening the surrounding soil in advance, it reduces friction and prepares the pipe for easy removal without requiring bursting or excessive force.
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
This method effectively loosens the pipe from the soil without fracturing it, reducing friction and allowing for safe removal of hazardous materials like lead pipes without disturbing surface structures, ensuring complete extraction and minimizing environmental impact.
Implementation Method 1
deforming at least a portion of a sidewall of the existing pipe outward into the surrounding soil
Implementation Method 2
reducing friction and allowing for safe removal
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe loosening device and methods are shown. In one example, the pipe loosening device enables a method wherein a pipe to be replaced is deformed but not burst, and a portion of a sidewall of the pipe is forced outward into the surrounding soil to compact a local region of the surrounding soil and loosen the existing pipe. The pipe may then pulled from the ground along an axis of the pipe.