Pipe Cleaning Tool With Stabilizing Legs
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for cleaning water and sewer pipes, such as high-pressure water jets, damage the pipe walls and fail to provide effective mechanical cleaning, leading to rough surfaces that hinder fluid flow and are not suitable for relining.
Innovation Solution
A pipe cleaning tool with a rotating reaming head and stabilizing legs that maintains close proximity to the pipe wall without direct contact, using a hollow shaft and lubrication to remove debris and smooth the interior surface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If high-pressure water tools are used to clean the pipe interior, then cleaning capability is improved, but the pipe wall is damaged and becomes rough
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces high-pressure water jet cleaning with a mechanical reaming system that uses a rotating reamer head with cutting elements. This mechanical system provides controlled material removal through rotation and cutting action, eliminating the uncontrolled high-pressure water impact that damages pipe walls. The reamer head rotates at controlled speeds (50-200 RPM) and removes debris through mechanical cutting rather than erosion.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the cleaning parameters from high-pressure water (uncontrolled force) to controlled rotational speed (50-200 RPM) and controlled cutting depth (0.002-0.006 inches per pass). These parameter changes enable effective cleaning while maintaining pipe wall integrity and achieving a smooth surface finish suitable for relining.
2Productivity
If the reamer head is brought into close proximity with the pipe wall for effective cleaning, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but direct contact may damage the pipe
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by limiting the reamer head's engagement with the pipe wall to a controlled depth (0.002-0.006 inches per pass). The reamer head is brought into close proximity for effective cleaning but deliberately restricted from excessive contact that would cause damage. Multiple passes are used to gradually achieve the desired cleanliness without over-cutting.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces lubricant as an intermediary substance between the reamer head and pipe wall. The lubricant (water or other lubricating fluid) flows through the hollow shaft and is ejected through ports adjacent to the reamer head, providing lubrication during the cleaning operation. This intermediary reduces friction and prevents direct damaging contact while maintaining close proximity for effective cleaning.
3Power
If mechanical cleaning is used to remove hard deposits, then cleaning power is improved, but the risk of pipe damage increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses dynamic rotation of the reamer head (50-200 RPM) rather than static mechanical contact. The rotating cutting elements dynamically engage with hard deposits like calcium, providing sustained cleaning power. The rotation allows the cutting elements to progressively remove deposits without concentrating excessive force at a single point, reducing the risk of pipe wall damage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary action by using multiple passes with controlled cutting depths (0.002-0.006 inches per pass). Rather than attempting to remove all deposits in a single aggressive pass, the system gradually removes material over multiple passes, allowing the pipe wall to withstand the mechanical action without damage while still achieving effective cleaning of hard deposits.
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 tool effectively removes debris and smooths the pipe interior, enhancing fluid flow and allowing for successful relining while being durable and cost-effective, capable of handling long pipe runs and hard deposits like calcium.
Implementation Method 1
A lubricant, such as water, flows through the hollow shaft and is ejected through ports adjacent to the reamer head as the tool rotates
Implementation Method 2
the cutting elements of the honer head remove debris from the inside wall of the pipe
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe cleaning tool has a longitudinally extending hollow shaft with a honer head on the forward end and stabilizing legs behind the honer head. The shaft is adapted to be connected to a machine for pulling the tool through the pipe while rotating the tool such that the cutting elements on the reamer head remove debris from the inside wall of the pipe. The legs center and stabilize the reamer head to prevent contact with the internal pipe wall during the cleaning operation. Water or other lubricating fluid is ejected from the shaft during use of the tool to lubricate the tool in the pipe, and to flush loose debris out of the path of the tool.