Laser Alignment Tool for Pipe Flange Adaptability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Construction workers face challenges in aligning large pipes due to their mass and size, requiring an adaptive and stable alignment tool that can fit different flange sizes and facilitate various alignment processes, including riser and carrier pipe alignment, while minimizing human error.
Innovation Solution
A laser alignment tool with two identical weight bodies and a tubular shaft, featuring conical surfaces for adaptability and a laser pointer unit for precise alignment, allowing the tool to be easily detached and reattached for different flange sizes and alignment tasks, eliminating the need for human eye alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional alignment tools are used for large pipes, then alignment can be performed, but the tools cannot adapt to different flange sizes and require multiple tool sets
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment tool incorporates a conical adapter component that can be configured with different conical surfaces to fit various flange sizes (e.g., 12-inch, 16-inch, 24-inch flanges). This universal design allows a single tool set to perform alignment across multiple flange dimensions, eliminating the need for separate tool sets for each flange size while maintaining adaptability to different pipe configurations.
2Measurement precision
If human eye alignment is used for flange alignment, then the process is simple, but alignment accuracy is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The invention replaces the manual visual alignment method with a laser-based optical measurement system. A laser alignment device projects a laser beam through the tubular shaft to create a reference alignment line, allowing workers to achieve precise flange alignment by following the laser indicator rather than relying on visual estimation. This substitution significantly improves measurement precision while maintaining operational simplicity through intuitive laser guidance.
3Measurement precision
If alignment tools are designed for stability on large pipes, then alignment accuracy improves, but the tools become difficult to position and adjust
Solution Approach 1:
The alignment tool is divided into separate modular components including a tubular shaft, conical adapter, and laser alignment device. This segmentation allows workers to easily position and adjust each component independently - the conical adapter can be fitted to the flange, the tubular shaft can be inserted and positioned, and the laser device can be mounted and adjusted - while the assembled tool provides stable and accurate alignment for large pipe configurations.
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 tool ensures accurate and efficient alignment of flanges and pipes by providing a stable and adaptable solution that can handle various pipe sizes and angles, reducing human error and simplifying the alignment process.
Implementation Method 1
turn on the laser pointer unit and properly align those flanges together
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention is a laser aligning tool that has two weight bodies, a laser pointer unit, and a threaded tubular shaft. The laser pointer unit is positioned within one of the two weight bodies. While both weight bodies are similar in shape and mass, and both connected to the threaded tubular shaft, only the weight body without the laser pointer unit can be detached from the threaded tubular shaft. The user may remove and place one weight body to the flange opening and introduce the threaded tubular shaft with the other weight body to the opening of another flange in preparation of alignment. The user may then turn on the laser pointer unit and ensure the laser beam traverse through both threaded tubular shaft and the detached weight body for proper alignment.