Jointed Pipe Splitter With Pneumatic Hammer for Tight Bends
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipe bursting methods for replacing underground pipes face challenges with pipe splitters fracturing during navigation through tight bends and increased labor and cost due to the need for extraction and replacement of expensive hardened steel splitters, as well as the pneumatic hammer's tendency to force splitters out of non-linear pipes, leading to added labor and expense.
Innovation Solution
A pipe splitting assembly with a pneumatic hammer and articulated hammer nose assembly that includes a rotatable joint and cutter, allowing the cutter to articulate relative to the pneumatic hammer and expander, guiding the hammer through non-linear pipes while maintaining continuous surface contact to transmit pulling and percussive forces effectively, preventing wandering and minimizing the need for splitter replacement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If an elongate pipe splitter is used to navigate tight bends, then the ability to navigate non-linear pipes is improved, but the splitter experiences stress and may fracture requiring extraction and replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The pipe splitter is divided into multiple articulated segments that can rotate relative to each other at joint locations. This segmentation allows the splitter to navigate tight bends and non-linear pipe configurations without experiencing excessive stress that would cause fracture, while maintaining structural integrity throughout the operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The splitter transitions from a rigid elongate structure to a dynamic articulated structure with rotatable joints. This allows the splitter to adapt its configuration in real-time to match the pipe's geometry, reducing stress concentrations and preventing fracture while maintaining the ability to navigate tight bends.
2Power
If a pneumatic hammer is coupled with pipe splitter to split piping, then the splitting capability is improved, but the hammer may force the splitter out of non-linear pipes into surrounding soil
Solution Approach 1:
The articulated segmented structure distributes the percussive forces from the pneumatic hammer across multiple segments and joint locations. This segmentation prevents the concentrated forces from forcing the entire splitter out of non-linear pipes, while still maintaining effective splitting capability through coordinated segment movement.
Solution Approach 2:
The rotatable joints act as intermediaries between the pneumatic hammer's percussive forces and the pipe splitting action. These joints allow the force to be transmitted effectively while accommodating non-linear pipe geometry, preventing the splitter from being forced out of position into surrounding soil.
3Strength
If hardened steel pipe splitters are used for pipe bursting, then the splitting strength is improved, but the cost increases and replacement labor is required when fracture occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The splitter is divided into multiple segments connected by rotatable joints, allowing the use of smaller, less expensive steel components instead of a single large hardened steel piece. This segmentation reduces material costs while maintaining sufficient splitting strength through the articulated structure's ability to concentrate forces at the cutting interface.
Solution Approach 2:
The design changes from a single rigid component to a multi-segment articulated structure, fundamentally altering the mechanical parameters of the splitter. This parameter change allows for reduced material strength requirements in individual segments while maintaining overall system effectiveness, thereby reducing cost and complexity.
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 enables efficient splitting of non-linear pipes with reduced risk of splitter failure and increased operational reliability by guiding the pneumatic hammer through non-linear sections, minimizing labor and cost associated with splitter replacement and extraction, while maintaining consistent force transmission.
Implementation Method 1
percussive devices including pneumatic reciprocating hammers are coupled with pipe splitters
Implementation Method 2
maintaining continuous surface contact to transmit pulling and percussive forces effectively
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe splitting assembly includes an articulating hammer nose assembly having a pipe splitting cutter and a rotatable joint coupled with the pipe splitting cutter. A pneumatic hammer is distal to the articulating hammer nose assembly, The pneumatic hammer is configured to drive the articulating hammer nose assembly proximally away from the pneumatic hammer. The rotatable joint is coupled between the pipe splitting cutter and the pneumatic hammer, and the articulating hammer nose assembly is rotatable into one or more angles relative to the pneumatic hammer through the rotatable joint. A cable coupling is interposed between the pneumatic hammer and the articulated hammer nose assembly. The cable coupling is configured to attach a cable to the pipe splitting assembly. The cable coupling and the rotatable joint are configured to transmit to the pipe splitting cutter a compression force from the cable coupling and dynamic percussive forces from the pneumatic hammer.