Laser Telemeter Pipe Alignment Verification
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe fitting aids struggle to simultaneously align pipes and accurately measure the distance between their ends, which are crucial tasks for pipe fitters.
Innovation Solution
A pipe fitting aid comprising a laser telemeter with a laser projector and sensor, along with couplers and gaskets, that facilitates pipe alignment by detecting a continuous laser beam and determines the distance between pipe ends based on the time of flight of a laser pulse.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a laser projector and sensor are integrated into a single device, then both alignment and distance measurement functions are achieved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a laser projector and a time-of-flight sensor into a single integrated device housing. The laser projector emits laser beams for alignment verification, while the sensor detects both the alignment beams and distance measurement pulses. This merging allows simultaneous performance of alignment and distance measurement functions without requiring separate tools, directly resolving the technical contradiction by achieving versatility while managing device complexity through integrated design.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated device performs multiple functions: alignment verification using continuous laser beams, distance measurement using time-of-flight laser pulses, and operation in various lighting conditions. The sensor can detect both alignment beams and distance measurement pulses, making the device universal for different pipe fitting tasks. This multi-functionality directly addresses the versatility improvement while the integrated housing manages the complexity aspect.
2Productivity
If manual alignment and separate distance measurement are performed, then device complexity is reduced, but productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
By merging alignment verification and distance measurement capabilities into one device, the patent eliminates the need for separate tools and sequential operations. The laser projector and sensor work together simultaneously to provide both alignment guidance and distance data, significantly improving productivity during pipe fitting operations while the integrated design keeps complexity manageable.
Solution Approach 2:
The device provides preliminary alignment guidance through continuous laser beams before final connection is made. This preliminary action allows workers to position pipes correctly before securing them, improving overall productivity by preventing misalignment errors and reducing rework, while the integrated design maintains reasonable complexity.
3Measurement precision
If alignment verification is performed first, then measurement accuracy is improved, but time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The laser projector emits continuous laser beams for alignment verification while the sensor simultaneously performs distance measurements. This continuity allows alignment and measurement to occur concurrently rather than sequentially, maintaining high alignment accuracy while minimizing time consumption during pipe fitting operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The continuous laser beams provide preliminary alignment guidance that enables workers to achieve accurate alignment quickly. Once alignment is verified using the continuous beams, the same sensor immediately performs distance measurement without requiring separate setup or time, thus maintaining measurement precision while reducing overall time consumption.
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
Enables quick and accurate alignment and distance measurement between pipe ends, improving the efficiency and precision of pipe fitting tasks.
Implementation Method 1
a laser projector, which selectively emits a continuous laser beam and a laser pulse, and a sensor to detect the continuous laser beam and the laser pulse
Implementation Method 2
determine a distance between the ends of the pipes based on a time of flight of the laser pulse
Data Source
AI summary
An alignment verification and distance measuring device for fitting pipes includes a laser telemeter and a pair of couplers. The laser telemeter comprises a laser projector, which selectively emits a continuous laser beam and a laser pulse, and a sensor to detect the continuous laser beam and the laser pulse. Each coupler is removably couplable to a respective one of the laser projector and the sensor and is removably couplable to a respective pipe of a pair of pipes so that an end of one of the pipes is axially fitted with the laser projector and an end of the other of the pipes is axially fitted with the sensor. The laser telemeter facilitates alignment of the pipes by detection of the continuous laser beam by the sensor and determination of a distance between the ends of the pipes based on a time of flight of the laser pulse.