Pipe Inspection Push-Cable With Jetter Nozzle and Camera Cleaning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipe inspection and cleaning systems are limited in their ability to deploy high-pressure fluid for obstruction removal and combine imaging with fluid jetting, lacking effective solutions for clearing obstructions and visualizing pipe interiors simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A push-cable system equipped with a camera assembly, light sources, and a jetter nozzle that can control pressurized fluid flow and direction, featuring interchangeable nozzles with cutting elements, and an extender for varying rigidity, allowing for manual or automatic control and multiplexed imaging to facilitate obstruction removal and visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a video camera head is manually forced down the pipe for inspection, then imaging capability is provided, but the ability to deploy high pressure fluid for obstruction removal is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a video camera head with a jetter nozzle and high-pressure fluid delivery system into a single integrated push-cable assembly. This merging allows the device to simultaneously provide imaging capability through the camera and obstruction removal capability through the jetter nozzle, eliminating the need for separate inspection and cleaning operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The push-cable assembly is designed to perform multiple functions: visual inspection via the video camera, obstruction removal via the jetter nozzle, and pipe cleaning via high-pressure fluid delivery. This multi-functional design allows a single device to replace multiple separate tools, enhancing versatility while maintaining imaging capability.
2Productivity
If current pipe clearing systems are used, then obstruction removal is possible, but the ability to combine imaging and high pressure fluid jetting is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the video camera head, jetter nozzle, high-pressure fluid delivery system, and push-cable into a single integrated assembly. This combination enables simultaneous imaging and high-pressure fluid jetting operations, allowing operators to visually monitor obstruction removal in real-time while maintaining efficient cleaning capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The push-cable serves as an intermediary component that transmits both electrical signals to the camera and high-pressure fluid to the jetter nozzle. This intermediary structure enables the coordination of multiple functions (imaging and fluid jetting) through a single deployable unit, simplifying system integration while maintaining operational efficiency.
3Productivity
If a jetter nozzle is used to deploy the push-cable and spin to clear obstructions, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but control of fluid direction and flow rate requires nozzle interchangeability
Solution Approach 1:
The jetter nozzle is designed to rotate or spin during operation, dynamically adjusting the direction of fluid喷射 to enhance obstruction clearing effectiveness. This dynamic movement allows the nozzle to engage obstructions from multiple angles, improving cleaning performance while the interchangeable nozzle design provides static flexibility for different fluid flow rates and patterns.
Solution Approach 2:
The system employs interchangeable jetter nozzles that can be attached to the push-cable assembly, providing versatility in fluid control. Different nozzle types can be selected based on specific cleaning requirements, allowing adjustment of fluid direction, flow rate, and jetting patterns while maintaining the core spinning/dynamic cleaning mechanism.
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 obstruction removal and visualization within pipes by deploying pressurized fluid and cutting elements while providing multiple camera views, enhancing the effectiveness of pipe inspection and cleaning processes.
Implementation Method 1
jetted fluid may be used to deploy the push-cable and attached camera head within the pipe and/or to spin the nozzle or other elements of the push-cable to clear obstructions
Data Source
AI summary
Pipe inspection systems including a push-cable, jetter, and camera assembly are disclosed. A jetter nozzle may be configured to spin and/or propel the camera head within a pipe or other cavity. A cutter line may be attached to the camera head to clean obstructions. A sonde may be coupled to a camera head to generate magnetic field signals for use with a buried utility locator to locate a pipe or other cavity into which the camera head is deployed.