Manual Pipe Flange Facing Apparatus for Confined Spaces
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Solution Overview
Problem
Previous pipe flange facing devices are large, heavy, and require a power source, limiting their use in confined or remote locations without electricity, making them unsuitable for on-site maintenance of pipes in industrial facilities.
Innovation Solution
A manually operated pipe flange facing apparatus with a housing, anchor assembly, tool holder, and drive shaft that allows the tool to move along a spiral path for efficient flange resurfacing, eliminating the need for a power source and enabling use in tight spaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a power source (portable generator or air compressor) is provided to drive the re-facing tool, then the re-facing operation can be performed on-site, but the device becomes large and heavy, preventing use in hard to reach locations or limited space
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the power source (portable generator or air compressor) from the device, extracting the heavy component that caused the weight and size problems. The re-facing tool is redesigned to be manually operated, eliminating the need for external power sources while maintaining on-site operational capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The device is designed to be manually operated without requiring external power sources. The operator directly controls the re-facing tool through manual effort, making the system self-sufficient and eliminating dependency on heavy power sources like portable generators or air compressors.
2Power
If the device is designed to accommodate high operating loads from a power source, then the re-facing operation can be performed, but the structure becomes large and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the power source from the device, extracting the heavy component that caused the weight and size problems. The device structure is redesigned to accommodate manual operation rather than high-power motor-driven operation, significantly reducing weight and size while maintaining functional capability.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus for facing a flange of a pipe includes a housing and an anchor assembly rotatably supported by the housing. The anchor assembly is configured to engage an inner surface of the pipe. The apparatus further includes a tool holder translatably supported by the housing. The tool holder is configured to support a facing tool for facing the flange of the pipe. The apparatus further includes a drive shaft that is rotatable relative to the housing to translate the tool holder relative to the housing. The housing is rotatable relative to the anchor assembly about a first axis in a first direction and the drive shaft is simultaneously rotatable relative to the housing about a second axis in a second direction opposite the first direction to move the tool holder along a spiral path and thereby face the flange of the pipe.