Energized Drain Cleaning Cable for Underground Pipe Locating
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing drain cleaning systems face challenges in efficiently locating and mapping underground conduits and pipes due to the weak electromagnetic signals produced by conventional drain cleaning cables, which require additional time and effort to locate, potentially causing equipment damage.
Innovation Solution
A drain cleaning machine with a sheathed cable that transmits electrical signals through the cable, allowing for the cable to be energized and located in place, eliminating the need to remove and replace it with a camera push cable, and featuring a drivetrain that transfers both rotary power and electrical signals to the cable.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional drain cleaning cables are used to locate underground conduits, then the electromagnetic signals produced are weak, but additional time and effort are required to locate the cable, potentially causing equipment damage
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the drain cleaning cable with a camera push cable into a single integrated cable assembly. This merging allows the cable to simultaneously perform cleaning functions and transmit strong electromagnetic signals for easy location, eliminating the need to use separate cables for different purposes and resolving the contradiction between signal strength and time to locate.
Solution Approach 2:
The cable is designed to serve multiple functions: it acts as both a drain cleaning tool and a signal transmission medium. The integrated cable can be energized to produce strong electromagnetic signals for location purposes while simultaneously performing the drain cleaning function, making it a universal tool that eliminates the need for additional equipment and reduces time loss.
2Ease of operation
If conventional drain cleaning systems are used, then additional operational steps are required to remove and replace with camera push cable, but this increases device complexity and operational time
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the drain cleaning cable and camera push cable into a single integrated assembly, eliminating the need for separate operational steps of removing one cable and replacing it with another. The unified design simplifies the operational process while maintaining both cleaning and locating capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated cable serves as a universal tool that combines the functions of both drain cleaning and signal transmission, reducing the number of operational steps and device complexity while improving ease of operation.
3Productivity
If high RPM and low torque applications are used for cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but cable wear increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs composite material construction for the cable, combining materials that provide both the flexibility needed for high RPM operation and the durability required to withstand wear. The composite structure allows the cable to maintain integrity under high-speed rotation while delivering effective cleaning performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent optimizes cable parameters such as material composition, diameter, and structural configuration to enable high RPM operation with low torque. By changing these parameters, the cable achieves both high productivity through effective cleaning at high speeds and improved reliability through enhanced wear resistance.
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
Enables efficient location and mapping of underground conduits and pipes without the need for additional operational steps, reducing time and equipment wear, and allowing for effective cleaning with high RPM and low torque applications.
Implementation Method 1
the inner shaft or member rotates about an axis
Implementation Method 2
A drain cleaning machine with a sheathed cable that transmits electrical signals through the cable, allowing for the cable to be energized and located in place
Data Source
AI summary
Systems for energizing a drain cleaning cable within a drain line or other region of interest are described. A signal transmitter on an end portion of the cable enables the cable end portion to be sensed or located when in a pipe or conduit underground. Also described are electrically conductive drivetrains for transferring rotary power.