Orbital Pipe Coating Cutter for Uniform Chamfer and FBE Exposure

Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for cutting and preparing the external coating of pipes for the pipe preservation system (PPS) are inefficient, causing damage to the coating and leading to corrosion issues due to non-uniformity and stress, and existing machines do not adequately perform the required chamfer angle and FBE exposure band specifications without generating waste.

Innovation Solution

An automated orbital machine designed to cut and draw the pipe preservation system, featuring a cutting device with a cutting lever driving piston and support structures, capable of precise cutting and FBE exposure band creation without damaging the pipe surface, ensuring the chamfer angle and length meet specifications while minimizing waste.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If the brushing method is used to manufacture the collar, then the pipe coating is removed to create the collar, but the coating surface becomes non-uniform and stressed, causing detachment and corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollar manufacturingVSAvoidcollar chamfer uniformity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical brushing system with a thermal system. A heating element (such as a hot wire or heated blade) is used to melt and remove the coating material through thermal decomposition and melting, rather than mechanical abrasion. This substitution eliminates the surface stress and non-uniformity caused by brushing while achieving clean collar removal with precise chamfer geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the physical state and properties of the coating material during removal by applying heat. The coating transitions from solid to melted/decomposed state, allowing for clean separation without mechanical stress. By controlling temperature parameters, the process achieves uniform collar removal while preserving the underlying pipe surface integrity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Ease of manufacture

If the brushing method is used to manufacture the collar, then the collar is created, but aggressive brushing causes coating detachment and corrosion

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollar manufacturingVSAvoidcoating integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical brushing system with a thermal system. A heating element (such as a hot wire or heated blade) is used to melt and remove the coating material through thermal decomposition and melting, rather than mechanical abrasion. This substitution eliminates the surface stress and non-uniformity caused by brushing while achieving clean collar removal with precise chamfer geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces heat as an intermediary medium between the collar manufacturing process and the coating material. Instead of direct mechanical contact that causes stress and detachment, thermal energy acts as a mediator to gradually decompose and remove the coating, preserving the integrity of the remaining coating layers and preventing corrosion

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If the brushing method is used, then the collar is manufactured, but production line bottleneck and high brush replacement cost occur

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecollar manufacturingVSAvoidproduction line efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical brushing system with a thermal system. A heating element (such as a hot wire or heated blade) is used to melt and remove the coating material through thermal decomposition and melting, rather than mechanical abrasion. This substitution eliminates the surface stress and non-uniformity caused by brushing while achieving clean collar removal with precise chamfer geometry

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The thermal cutting system is designed to be self-regulating and continuous. The heating element automatically maintains optimal temperature for coating removal, and the process can continue without periodic stops for brush replacement. The system adapts to varying coating thicknesses and compositions, maintaining consistent performance without manual intervention, thereby eliminating production bottlenecks

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS20230381873A1Automated orbital machine for cutting and drawing the pipe preservation system

Publication Date: 2023.11.30 PETROLEO BRASILEIRO SA PETROBRAS

AI summary

The present invention relates to an automated orbital machine for cutting and drawing the pipe preservation system (PPS), comprising at least one lifting support, at least one support structure, at least one pipe preservation system (PPS) cutting device, at least one cutting lever driving piston, at least one column, at least one support arm, at least one support arm rotation device, at least one fitting disc, at least one fitting disc rotation device, at least one cage rotation device, at least one cage front disc, at least one fitting device, at least one bar, and at least one cage rear disc.