Elastic Scraper Diameter Control for Pipe Wear Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fluid spraying facilities face significant wear and maintenance issues due to the use of scrapers that rub against the inner surface of pipes, leading to frequent replacement of both scrapers and pipes.
Innovation Solution
A fluid spraying facility with a scraper that has an outer diameter greater than or equal to 100 micrometers more than the inner pipe diameter, and a holding system that allows the scraper to pivot or be crushed to increase its diameter to match the pipe's inner diameter, reducing friction and wear.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If the scraper outer diameter is made equal to the pipe inner diameter to improve cleaning effectiveness, then the scraper can effectively collect and push back fluid, but significant wear occurs on both the scraper and pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper is designed with a flexible body that can dynamically change its outer diameter. During circulation, the scraper maintains a reduced diameter (100-200 micrometers smaller than pipe inner diameter) to minimize wear. When positioned against the pipe wall for cleaning, the scraper expands to match the pipe inner diameter through elastic deformation, ensuring effective fluid collection and push-back without continuous friction wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper's outer diameter parameter is changed based on operational requirements. The scraper includes an elastic element that allows the outer diameter to vary between a first value (during circulation) and a second value (during cleaning contact). This parameter change enables the scraper to optimize between wear reduction and cleaning effectiveness at different operational stages.
2Reliability
If the scraper outer diameter is reduced by 100 micrometers or more to reduce wear, then maintenance frequency decreases, but the scraper's ability to seal and push back fluid may be compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The scraper transitions between two dynamic states: a circulation state with reduced diameter for minimal wear, and a cleaning state with expanded diameter for effective sealing. The elastic element enables this dynamic adaptation, ensuring the scraper maintains optimal dimensions for each operational phase without compromising overall performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The scraper is preliminarily positioned with a reduced diameter to circulate through the pipe with minimal friction and wear. Before performing the cleaning function, the scraper prepares to expand to its second diameter value, ensuring that the wear-reducing circulation phase is completed first, followed by the effective cleaning action.
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 solution reduces wear on both the scraper and the pipe, requiring less maintenance and allowing for more efficient fluid circulation and cleaning without compromising the scraper's ability to collect and push back fluid effectively.
Implementation Method 1
The elastic element is configured to exert a force on the two end walls intended to move the two end walls away from each other along the second axis, the shell being configured so that when the end walls are brought together along the second axis, the outer diameter of at least a portion of the shell increases to the second outer diameter value
Implementation Method 2
the holding system comprising a magnetic field generator capable of generating a magnetic field in at least a portion of the pipe intended to align the third axis and the first axis
Implementation Method 3
the magnet exerts a force intended to bring the scraper closer to the ferromagnetic element so as to press the scraper against an inner surface of the circulation pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A fluid spraying facility including a fluid circulation pipe and a scraper that can circulate in the pipe in order to push back the fluid present in the pipe as it moves forward, the pipe and the scraper each having a circular section, the pipe having an inner diameter, the scraper having an outer diameter, the outer diameter having a first value. A difference between the inner diameter of the pipe and the first outer diameter value of the scraper is greater than or equal to 100 micrometers, preferably greater than or equal to 200 micrometers.