Pipe Cleaning Bell With Pneumatic Counterforce for Pressurized Insertion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cleaning tubular pipes require significant manual effort to insert and maneuver cleaning accessories due to pressure differences, making it difficult to effectively remove drilling chips and scraps without interrupting gas distribution.
Innovation Solution
A cleaning bell with a pneumatic cylinder and releasable engagement mechanism that counteracts the ejection force from pressurized gas, allowing the operating rod to be easily inserted and maintained in place, reducing the operator's effort and enabling efficient chip and scrap removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If manual insertion of cleaning accessories is used, then the operator can control the cleaning process, but significant physical effort is required to overcome pressure difference
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies a pneumatic cylinder that generates a counteracting force to balance the ejection force from the pressurized gas inside the pipe. This counterweight principle allows the operating rod to be held in position without requiring the operator to continuously exert manual force against the pressure differential.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a pneumatic cylinder as an intermediary device between the operator and the cleaning accessories. This mediator translates the operator's controlled input into sufficient force to overcome the pressure difference, while the releasable engagement mechanism provides precise control over when the counteracting force is applied.
2Productivity
If cleaning accessories are inserted deep into the pressurized pipe, then effective chip removal is achieved, but the ejection force from pressurized gas increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by using the pneumatic cylinder to counteract the ejection force before the cleaning accessories are fully inserted into the pressurized pipe. The releasable engagement mechanism allows the operator to engage the pneumatic cylinder's counteracting force in advance, preventing the pressure differential from becoming overwhelming during deep insertion.
3Reliability
If the operating rod is held firmly against ejection force, then cleaning accessories remain in position, but operator fatigue increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies self-service by designing a system where the pneumatic cylinder automatically generates the necessary counteracting force to hold the operating rod in position. The releasable engagement mechanism allows the system to self-regulate, engaging the counteracting force when needed and releasing when not required, eliminating the need for continuous manual effort.
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 significantly reduces the operator's effort required for cleaning, allowing for more effective and accurate removal of chips and scraps from the tubular pipe while maintaining gas flow, and can be adjusted for varying pressure conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a pneumatic cylinder (12) operably pushing with a predetermined elastic load a first part (13) and a second part (14) of the pneumatic cylinder (12) to a contracted stroke end position in which opposed and respective free ends of the first part (13) and of the second part (14) of the pneumatic cylinder (12) are at a minimum distance from each other
Data Source
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AI summary
A cleaning bell (1) for removing scraps from tubular pipes for the transport or distribution of fluids, comprises a bell-shaped body (2) having a head end (5) provided with a through passage (6) for slidable insertion of an operating rod (7) carrying cleaning accessories (10); advantageously, said cleaning bell (1) comprises a pneumatic cylinder (12) fixed to said head end (5) and adapted to be attached to said operating rod (7) to oppose the force of ejection of said operating rod (7) from the bell-shaped body (2) caused by an internal overpressure.