Utility Service Line Clamp-Cut Plugging for Live Water Repairs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Utility service lines require periodic servicing or repair, which typically necessitates turning off the upstream water supply, causing inconvenience until the service or repair is completed.
Innovation Solution
A service tool with a clamping mechanism to secure the utility service line, a cutting blade to make precise cuts, and a plugging mechanism to insert a plug into the cut portion, allowing for service or repair without shutting off the upstream supply.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the upstream water supply is turned off to allow cutting and servicing of the utility service line, then the service or repair can be performed safely, but the water supply to the downstream area is interrupted causing inconvenience
Solution Approach 1:
The utility service line is divided into two segments: the upstream portion that remains active and the downstream portion that is isolated for servicing. The cutting blade severs the line into two cut portions, allowing independent handling of each segment. The plugging mechanism then seals the upstream cut portion, creating a segmented system where service work can proceed on the downstream side without affecting water supply to the upstream side.
Solution Approach 2:
The plugging mechanism acts as an intermediary element that seals the upstream cut portion of the service line. This plug creates a barrier that prevents water flow from the upstream active portion to the downstream serviced portion, allowing safe servicing without shutting off the main supply. The plug serves as a temporary mediator that enables the contradiction resolution.
2Ease of repair
If the utility service line is cut for servicing, then repair work can be performed on the downstream portion, but the upstream water supply must be shut off which causes disruption
Solution Approach 1:
The plugging mechanism is prepared and positioned on the upstream side before the actual servicing work begins on the downstream portion. By pre-plugging the upstream cut portion, the system ensures that water supply disruption is minimized or eliminated entirely, allowing repair work to proceed immediately without waiting for upstream shutdown procedures.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of shutting off the upstream supply and then performing repairs, the invention inverts the sequence by first cutting the line, then immediately plugging the upstream portion, and finally performing repairs on the downstream portion. This reversed sequence ensures that the main water supply remains active throughout the repair process, eliminating service disruption.
3Productivity
If a traditional cutting tool is used on the utility service line, then the line can be severed for repair, but the operator must manage multiple separate tools for cutting and plugging
Solution Approach 1:
The cutting blade and plugging mechanism are merged into a single integrated service tool assembly. The cutting blade is disposed in the receiving portion to engage and cut the utility service line, while the plugging mechanism with plug chamber is positioned to dispense the plug into the cut portion. This combination eliminates the need for separate cutting and plugging tools, improving operational efficiency and reducing the complexity of managing multiple tools.
Solution Approach 2:
The service tool is designed with multi-functionality, serving both as a cutting device and a plugging device. The body structure accommodates both the cutting blade and the plugging mechanism, allowing a single tool to perform multiple functions that traditionally required separate tools. This universal design simplifies the servicing operation and improves productivity.
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 efficient cutting and plugging of utility service lines, allowing for maintenance or repairs without interrupting the water supply, thus minimizing disruptions.
Implementation Method 1
a cutting blade disposed in the receiving portion and configured to engage the outer circumference of the utility service line and cut the utility service line into a first cut portion and a second cut portion as the cutting blade is rotated about a cutting axis
Implementation Method 2
a clamping mechanism movable relative to the body and configured to clamp around at least a portion of an outer circumference of the utility service line
Implementation Method 3
The plug may have first threads on an interior thereof configured for threadably connecting to the shaft of the inner portion and second threads on an exterior thereof for threadably connecting to the plug chamber of the plug mechanism
Implementation Method 4
The hub may be configured to contact the utility service line as the cutting blade is rotated about the cutting axis relative to the body to displace the first cut portion of the utility service line
Data Source
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Figure 5
AI summary
A service tool 100 for cutting and plugging a utility service line 200 has a body 102 with a receiving portion 104 configured to receive the utility service line and a clamping mechanism 110 movable relative to the body 102 and configured to clamp around a clamp at least a portion of an outer circumference of the utility service line 200. The service tool 100 further includes a cutting blade 128 disposed in the receiving portion 104 and configured to engage the outer circumference of the utility service line 200 and cut the utility service line 200 into a first cut portion and a second cut portion as the cutting blade 128 is rotated about a cutting axis relative to the body 102. The service tool 100 further has a hub 130 associated with the body 102. The hub includes a plugging mechanism configured to displace the first cut portion of the utility service line and dispense a plug 134 into the second cut portion of the utility service line 200.