Pipe Centering Tool for Laser Surveying Accuracy
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Solution Overview
Problem
Accurate location determination of pipes is challenging, leading to inefficiencies in placement, fabrication, and installation, resulting in wasted time, materials, and increased costs due to potential inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
A self-centering tool or assembly with a laser target is mounted on pipe flanges to determine the center of each pipe, using a laser surveying device to calculate distances and locate the centers of multiple pipes, allowing for precise alignment and installation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional measurement methods are used to determine pipe locations, then the process is simpler in terms of equipment, but measurement precision and accuracy deteriorate leading to errors in pipe placement and installation
Solution Approach 1:
A centering tool assembly acts as an intermediary device between the laser surveying device and the pipe. The assembly includes a mounting bracket that attaches to the pipe and a target member with reflector that centers on the pipe axis. This intermediary enables precise measurement by providing a stable, centered reference point for the laser device to measure distances and determine pipe locations accurately.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces traditional mechanical measurement methods with a laser-based optical measurement system. The laser surveying device uses light beams to measure distances to the target members on pipes, substituting mechanical contact measurement with non-contact optical measurement, thereby improving precision while managing system complexity through software-based coordinate calculation.
2Manufacturing precision
If accurate pipe location determination is achieved through multiple measurements and calculations, then manufacturing precision improves, but loss of time increases due to multiple measurement steps
Solution Approach 1:
The centering tool assembly is pre-mounted on the pipe before measurement, ensuring the target member is already centered on the pipe axis. This preliminary centering action eliminates the need for repeated alignment adjustments during measurement, reducing time loss while maintaining precision. The mounting bracket is designed to automatically center the target, performing the centering action in advance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system creates a digital copy or model of the pipe layout by calculating three-dimensional coordinates of pipe centers based on laser measurements. This digital representation serves as a precise copy of the physical pipe locations, enabling accurate installation planning without requiring multiple physical measurement iterations, thereby reducing time while maintaining precision.
3Adaptability or versatility
If a universal centering tool is designed to fit different pipe diameters, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases due to adjustable components
Solution Approach 1:
The mounting bracket incorporates dynamic, adjustable components that allow the target member to be positioned at the center of pipes with different diameters. The bracket includes adjustable arms or mounting positions that can be configured to match various pipe sizes, enabling the same device to adapt to different applications while maintaining the centering function through mechanical adjustment rather than requiring multiple specialized tools.
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
The solution enables accurate and efficient determination of pipe locations, reducing errors and costs by allowing for precise cutting and installation of additional pipes between existing ones.
Implementation Method 1
mounting a centering tool or assembly having one or more reflectors to a first pipe... determining the distance between the reflector(s) mounted to the first pipe and a light emitting source
Data Source
AI summary
A method and device for location of pipes is disclosed. The method can comprise mounting one or more centering tools, each having a reflector to a first pipe such that the reflectors are either aligned with, or can be used to determine the location of the center of the first pipe and mounting one or more centering tools, each having a reflector to a second pipe such that the reflectors are either aligned with, or can be used to determine the location of the center of the second pipe. The method can further comprise determining a first distance between the center of the first pipe and a light emitting source at an observation point disposed between the first pipe and the second pipe and determining a second distance between the center of the second pipe and the light emitting source at the observation point.