Lead Water Pipe Extraction With Collets and Spool Containment
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing methods for replacing buried lead water supply pipes are inefficient and costly, as they often require extensive excavation and can disperse lead particles, especially when using malleable lead pipes with low tensile strength, and previous solutions like affixing cables inside pipes lead to increased costs due to cable sacrifice.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus and method using leading and lagging collets secured to opposite ends of the lead pipe, with a cable connected to each collet, allowing for minimal excavation and containment of the lead pipe, where the cable length matches the pipe length, and a winch system with a mast or take-up spool to extract the pipe without cutting, thus minimizing lead contamination.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If lead pipe is pulled through ground using traditional pulling apparatus, then pipe removal is achieved, but pipe breakage risk increases due to low tensile strength of lead
Solution Approach 1:
The pulling operation is segmented into two independent actions: first pulling the pipe through the ground using a pulling apparatus, then separately cutting the pipe at the surface. This segmentation allows the pipe to be moved intact through the ground without the cutting process compromising its integrity during the pulling operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The pipe is pulled through the ground completely before any cutting operation occurs. This preliminary action ensures the pipe maintains its integrity during the most critical phase of removal, and only after successful extraction does the cutting operation take place at the surface where containment is easier.
2Productivity
If pipe is cut during removal operation, then pipe can be extracted from ground, but lead particles disperse into environment
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting operation is extracted from the underground removal process and relocated to the surface environment. By taking out the cutting action from the subsurface operation and performing it only after the pipe is fully extracted, the harmful lead particles are contained at the surface rather than being dispersed into the ground and environment during extraction.
Solution Approach 2:
The complete pipe extraction through the ground is performed as a preliminary action before any cutting occurs. This ensures that the pipe is fully removed from the ground with its integrity maintained, and only then is the cutting operation performed at the surface where lead dispersion can be controlled and contained.
3Reliability
If cable is affixed inside pipe using settable fluid, then cable is secured to pipe interior, but cable becomes sacrificial and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The cable attachment method is extracted from the interior of the pipe and relocated to the exterior surface. By clipping the cable to the outside of the pipe rather than affixing it inside with settable fluid, the cable is no longer consumed or damaged during the pulling operation, eliminating the sacrificial cable problem and reducing material costs.
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
This approach enables efficient and cost-effective replacement of lead water supply pipes with minimal ground disruption, reducing the risk of lead dispersion and allowing for the reuse of the pulling apparatus and cable, while eliminating the need for cutting the pipe during removal.
Implementation Method 1
A cable is directed through the pipe to be removed and connected to each of the collets. The pulling cable preferably extends from leading collet and is connected to a winch or similar pulling apparatus.
Implementation Method 2
The pulling cable is directed from a guide pulley adjacent to the reaction foot, to a pipeline storage means disposed on the frame, and then to a winch which provides the pulling force to the cable.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus and a method of extracting buried lead water supply pipe with minimal excavation and which allows removal and containment of the lead pipe. The extraction apparatus includes a frame having an upwardly extending mast, a guide pulley mounted on the frame, and a pulling apparatus. A take-up spool is mounted on the mast between the guide pulley and pulling apparatus and positioned to allow a pipe pulling cable to be wrapped therearound into a non-linear path between the guide pulley and the pulling apparatus. Extracted pipe is pulled into the non-linear path until the pipe is fully extracted from the ground. Multiple spiral loops around the take-up spool by the pulling cable may be necessary to fully contain the extracted pipe. Following extraction, the pipe may be unspooled from the take-up spool, the pulling cable removed for re-use, and the pipe may then be sent for disposal.