Pipe Cleaning Deflection Head and Turbulator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cleaning sclerotic pipes, such as those with tubercle buildup, are inefficient in removing smaller tubercle portions, thin residual layers, and debris from pipe elbows, bends, and joints, and often require harsh chemicals, making them impractical and unsatisfactory for subsequent coating or lining.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a deflection head and paired tail with a cable, used in conjunction with a gas stream, to deflect and ricochet projectiles within the pipe, enhancing cleaning effectiveness by varying flow, turbulence, and pressure, and incorporating a turbulator or piston to improve debris removal and leak detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If abrasive projectiles are accelerated through infected pipes to break away tubercle portions, then large tubercles can be removed, but smaller tubercle portions and thin residual layers cannot be cleaned satisfactorily
Solution Approach 1:
The cleaning process is segmented into multiple passes with progressively smaller projectiles. First larger projectiles remove major tubercles, then smaller projectiles clean residual layers and smaller tubercle portions, achieving both high productivity and surface precision
Solution Approach 2:
The projectile size parameter is changed between cleaning passes. Larger projectiles are used initially for high productivity, then smaller projectiles are introduced to improve surface cleaning quality and remove thin residual layers
2Productivity
If abrasive projectiles are streamed through pipes to clean tubercles, then straight pipe sections can be cleaned, but pipe elbows, bends, and joints cannot be cleaned satisfactorily
Solution Approach 1:
The deflection head introduces a new dimension to projectile motion by redirecting them at angles. This allows projectiles to reach and clean pipe elbows, bends, and joints that are inaccessible to straight-line projectile streams, thereby improving cleaning coverage without sacrificing productivity
3Productivity
If projectile cleaning is used to remove tubercles, then debris can be discharged, but the pipe surface is not properly prepared and dried for bonding, making subsequent coating or lining difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The gas stream continues to flow through the pipe after projectile cleaning to blow out discharged debris and dry the pipe surface. This continuous action ensures the surface is properly prepared for bonding, enabling subsequent coating or lining operations without additional drying steps
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 system effectively removes tubercle residues and debris, prepares the pipe surface for coating, and detects leaks, achieving thorough cleaning and drying, thereby extending pipe life and ensuring better adhesion of coatings or linings.
Implementation Method 1
A pipe is pressurized with a gas stream, and abrasive projectiles are fed into the stream
Implementation Method 2
a deflection head to fit within and deflect projectiles through a pipe
Implementation Method 3
varying flow, turbulence, and pressure, within a pipe gas stream
Implementation Method 4
A turbulator is associated with any of the viewer and the cable, to vary in the pipe any of gas stream flow, pressure, and turbulence
Implementation Method 5
a debris removal method comprising plunging a pipe gas stream with a piston
Implementation Method 6
a debris removal method comprising vacuuming within a pipe gas stream
Data Source
AI summary
A debris removal method includes at least any one step of varying i) flow, ii) turbulence, and iii) pressure, within a pipe gas stream. Another embodiment is a cleaning system including a viewer to view inside pipe, and a turbulator associated with the viewer, to vary in a gas stream any of flow, pressure, and turbulence.