Lance Sleeve Distributes Bending Loads in Hydro Vacuum Excavation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Lances used in hydro vacuum excavation are prone to connection point failure due to bending loads and weight considerations, particularly when used as pry bars in frozen or hard-packed soils, leading to thread damage and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
A lance sleeve with a male and female connector, made of stainless steel, provides additional strength and protection by distributing bending loads through a larger inner diameter and collar design, allowing connection to lightweight lances.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If the lance is made from heavy materials to increase strength, then the strength increases, but the weight increases which is problematic for operator handling
Solution Approach 1:
The lance system is divided into two separate components: a lightweight lance body and a protective sleeve. The sleeve is attached to the lance ends to provide strength where needed, while the main lance body remains lightweight for operator handling. This segmentation allows each component to be optimized for its specific function.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of making the entire lance heavy to provide strength, the protective sleeve provides localized reinforcement only at the connection points and ends where bending loads are applied. This allows the lance to have high strength where needed while maintaining lightweight construction in the main body.
2Ease of manufacture
If threaded connections are used at the lance ends, then the connection method is simple and standardized, but the threads reduce the cross-sectional area and create stress concentration which reduces the load capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sleeve is designed to extend beyond the threaded connection points and provide structural support before the bending load is applied to the threads. This pre-cushioning prevents the threads from being the weakest point in the system, allowing threaded connections to be used without compromising load capacity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If the lance is used as a pry bar in frozen or hard-packed soils, then the ability to break hard sections of soil is improved, but large bending loads are applied to the lance which can cause the connection points to break, bend, or become damaged
Solution Approach 1:
The protective sleeve acts as an intermediary component between the lance and the high bending loads applied during pry bar operations. The sleeve absorbs and distributes these loads, protecting the lance connection points from direct exposure to the damaging bending forces while still allowing the lance to function as a pry bar.
Data Source
AI summary
A lance sleeve that comprises a first sleeve end having a male connector. The sleeve further comprises a second sleeve end comprising a female connector and a collar extending beyond the female connector in a direction opposite from the first sleeve end and forming a lance-receiving inner surface having an inner-surface internal diameter. The sleeve may be used in combination with a lance. The lance comprises a first lance end having a male connector and the lance having an external surface having an outer diameter. The female connector of the second sleeve end is connected to the male connector of the first lance end. The outer diameter of the external surface matching the inner-surface internal diameter of the lance inner receiving surface.