Pipe Expander Assembly With Spherical Joint For Curved Path Navigation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for replacing utility lines, such as gas and water lines, lack efficient quick attachment and removal mechanisms during the pipe slitting and expanding process, particularly in navigating curved paths and preventing soil collapse.
Innovation Solution
A pipe expander assembly comprising a slitter with blades, an expander with a tapered section and jam nut, and a wire rope, allowing for slitting and expanding of host pipes while enabling the new pipe to be pulled in simultaneously, with a spherical joint allowing angular deflection and a gripping mechanism for secure attachment to the wire rope.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the tooling is directly attached to the wire rope, then the attachment is secure, but the device cannot navigate curved paths and requires complex alignment mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
A spherical joint is introduced as an intermediary between the tooling assembly and the wire rope. This spherical joint acts as a mediator that transmits tensile forces while allowing angular deflection, enabling the tooling to follow curved paths without direct rigid attachment to the wire rope.
Solution Approach 2:
The attachment mechanism transitions from a rigid direct connection to a dynamic system where the spherical joint can rotate and adapt its orientation. This dynamic capability allows the tooling to navigate curved paths by continuously adjusting its angle relative to the wire rope direction.
2Ease of manufacture
If the existing pipe is removed prior to installation of the new pipe, then the installation process is simplified, but the time required and risk of soil collapse increase
Solution Approach 1:
The slitter blades perform the pipe separation action before the expander reaches the full expansion position. By preliminarily splitting the host pipe wall, the expansion process can proceed with the pipe already separated, eliminating the need for complete removal and reducing the time required for the overall replacement process.
Solution Approach 2:
The slitting and expanding operations are merged into a single continuous process where the slitter and expander work together on the host pipe simultaneously. This combination allows the pipe to be split and expanded in one pass, reducing the time loss associated with separate removal and installation operations.
3Reliability
If the gripping mechanism maintains constant contact with the wire rope, then the attachment is secure, but quick removal becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping mechanism uses a dynamic jaw system that can transition between engaged and disengaged states. During pulling operations, the jaws are positioned to grip the wire rope securely. For quick removal, the jaws can be repositioned along the tapered section to release the wire rope, enabling rapid detachment without compromising security during operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The gripping mechanism is segmented into movable jaws that can be independently positioned. This segmentation allows the gripping surfaces to be adjusted along the tapered section, enabling the mechanism to switch between a secure gripping state during operation and a released state for quick removal.
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
Facilitates efficient slitting and expansion of host pipes, allowing for quick attachment and removal, reducing soil collapse and enabling smooth installation of new pipes along curved paths without direct attachment to the wire rope, thus improving the efficiency of the pipe replacement process.
Implementation Method 1
A pipe expander assembly comprises a slitter with blades, an expander with a tapered section and jam nut, and a wire rope, allowing for slitting and expanding of host pipes
Implementation Method 2
with a spherical joint allowing angular deflection and a gripping mechanism for secure attachment to the wire rope
Data Source
AI summary
A pipe expander assembly for replacing an existing pipe with a new pipe. The expander assembly has a slitter disposed about a wire rope and abutting an expander at a spherical joint. The expander comprises a cone to expand a slit pipe and is internally connected to the wire rope by jaws that expand and contract about the wire rope due to threading of a jam nut into the cone. A pipe puller is connected to the back of the expander at a clevis and is adapted for connection to a new pipe, either through a jaw system, an adaptor, or fusion to the pipe.