Dual-Point Pipe Pulling to Prevent Tearing During Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for removing old pipes from the ground, such as pipe bursting, often result in tearing or buckling, leaving parts of the pipe behind, especially when high extraction forces are required to overcome soil friction, which can be hazardous and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A pipe pulling system that applies extraction force to both the proximal and distal ends of the pipe using a dual cable configuration, with adjustable force differentials and attachment mechanisms like wire mesh grippers, to prevent tearing or buckling, allowing for efficient removal without damaging the pipe or soil.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high extraction forces are applied to remove the pipe from the ground, then the pipe can be extracted from the soil, but the pipe may tear or buckle, leaving parts behind
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe is divided into two segments for independent force application: the distal end is secured with a cable and the proximal end with a collar. This segmentation allows different forces to be applied to each end, preventing the pipe from buckling or tearing during extraction while maintaining structural integrity.
Solution Approach 2:
The collar at the proximal end acts as a counterbalance to the cable at the distal end. By applying extraction forces at both ends simultaneously, the system creates a balanced pulling action that prevents the pipe from buckling under asymmetric loading, ensuring complete removal without deformation.
2Ease of manufacture
If pipe bursting is used to replace the old pipe, then the new pipe can be installed without trenching, but the old pipe cannot be completely removed from the ground
Solution Approach 1:
Before installing the new pipe, the system performs preliminary extraction of the old pipe using the dual-cable method. The collar and cable are attached to the old pipe, extraction forces are applied to remove it completely from the ground, and only then is the new pipe installed. This preliminary removal action eliminates environmental hazards while preserving the benefits of trenchless installation.
3Device complexity
If a single cable is used to pull the pipe, then the device is simpler, but the pipe may still tear or buckle under high extraction forces
Solution Approach 1:
The single cable system is segmented into two independent attachment points: a cable at the distal end and a collar at the proximal end. This segmentation transforms a simple single-point pull into a balanced two-point extraction system, preventing pipe deformation while maintaining operational simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system merges two extraction methods (cable pulling and collar gripping) into a unified dual-cable system. Both the cable and collar are pulled simultaneously with coordinated forces, combining their advantages to ensure complete pipe removal without the complexity of multiple independent systems.
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe puller system and methods of pipe extraction are shown. In one example a pipe to be replaced is pulled by attaching a pulling force to multiple locations along a length of the pipe. In one example pulling forces can be varied between different attachment locations to better control or eliminate tearing of the pipe. In one example, a pipe loosening device may be used prior to pulling the pipe from the ground.