Pipe Alignment Device Using Optical Axis Marking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pipe alignment devices fail to accurately align pipes with holes in structures due to distance and complexity, leading to improper installation and potential intersections during multi-pipe installations.
Innovation Solution
A pipe alignment device with a housing featuring a light source at one end that emits a beam to mark the center axis, allowing for precise alignment when secured to a pipe, and a removable power source for the light, facilitating correct hole drilling in adjacent structures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional alignment methods are used, then the installation process is simple, but the alignment precision deteriorates due to distance and complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical alignment tools (such as levels, squares, and visual estimation) with an optical system. A light source emits a beam along the longitudinal axis of the pipe, creating a visible reference line that directly indicates the centerline position on the target surface, thereby achieving high alignment precision without complex mechanical devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces light as an intermediary between the pipe and the target surface. The light beam acts as a mediator that transfers the positional information from the pipe's longitudinal axis to the target surface, enabling accurate alignment marking without direct contact or complex mechanical linkages between the pipe and the surface.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed power source is integrated into the housing, then the device structure is simplified, but the adaptability deteriorates when batteries need replacement
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the housing into separable sections: a main body containing the light source and switch, and a removable end cap containing the battery compartment. This segmentation allows the power source to be independently accessed and replaced without disassembling the entire device, providing adaptability for battery maintenance while keeping the overall structure relatively simple.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes the battery compartment dynamic rather than static by designing it to be removable. This allows the system to adapt to different power source configurations and enables easy battery replacement, transforming a fixed structure into a flexible, user-maintainable design.
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
Ensures accurate and straightforward pipe alignment, reducing the likelihood of crooked installations and intersections, thereby improving the appearance and efficiency of piping installations.
Implementation Method 1
the second end of the housing includes a light source configured to emit a beam of light along the center of the longitudinal axis
Data Source
AI summary
A device for aligning pipes with adjacent structures. The pipe alignment device includes a housing having a first end and a second end, wherein the first end is removably securable to a pipe via threading. The second end of the housing includes a light source that can emit a beam of light along the center of the longitudinal axis thereof. When the housing is secured to a pipe, the light source is activated via a switch disposed on the exterior of the housing. A beam of light contacts an adjacent structure, thereby serving as a marker for drilling a hole in the structure to allow the pipe to align therewith in order to connect or pass through the structure. In one embodiment, the first end of the housing is removable and houses a power source that is operably connected to the switch and the light source for providing power thereto.