Pipe Camera and Jetter Assembly for Obstruction Clearing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current pipe inspection and cleaning systems are limited in their ability to effectively combine high-pressure fluid jetting with imaging to clear obstructions and visualize the pipe interior.
Innovation Solution
A camera assembly mounted on a push-cable with interchangeable nozzles and cutting elements, controlled by sensors and manual inputs, is used to inspect and clean pipes, allowing for orientation-adjusted imaging and high-pressure fluid jetting to clear obstructions.
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 clear obstructions is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines a video camera head with a high-pressure fluid jetting system into a single integrated apparatus. The camera and jetting components are mounted together on a push-cable, allowing simultaneous inspection and obstruction clearing operations within the pipe, thereby resolving the contradiction between visualization capability and obstruction clearing effectiveness.
2Productivity
If current pipe clearing systems are used, then obstruction removal is attempted, but high pressure fluid deployment capability is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a high-pressure fluid jetting system where pressurized fluid is delivered through a nozzle mounted on the push-cable. The hydraulic force of the high-pressure fluid is used to both propel the apparatus through the pipe and clear obstructions, thereby enhancing both the power delivery and obstruction clearing efficiency simultaneously.
3Adaptability or versatility
If imaging and clearing functions are combined, then versatility is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a multi-functional apparatus that can perform both inspection (via video camera) and obstruction clearing (via high-pressure jetting) operations. The interchangeable nozzle system and modular push-cable design allow the same base apparatus to adapt to different cleaning requirements, providing versatility without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
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 effective obstruction removal and simultaneous visualization of the pipe interior, improving the efficiency and versatility of pipe inspection and cleaning processes.
Implementation Method 1
apparatus and systems for clearing obstructions in pipes using pressurized fluid jetting
Implementation Method 2
camera assembly having one or more camera and/or light source elements may be mounted on a segment of a push-cable to observe a work area
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.